Challenges of the African American Introvert

This blog is long over due. It was meant for Black History Month, but can be applied in everyday life for many it is still relevant, but sorry for the wait.


I have talked about the general stereotypes of introverts, such as:

• We are quiet, therefore have no personality
• We are not confident in ourselves
• We do not have opinions

and the list goes on. However as an introverted female who is African American, more stereotypes and challenges occur. Many of which have been interesting to encounter through out my years. These points can be argued against, but they make African Americans go a bit further to exhibit our skills due to societies expectation of us. These experiences can be summed up in three points based on my experience:

1. African Americans are all loud and outgoing(negatively)

This is the common stereotype about the African American community but more specifically, African American women. Most of the exposure people get their negative ideas about the African American culture come from television shows such as Basketball Wives, The Game, Real Housewives of Atlanta, Love and Hip Hop and the list goes on. We are portrayed as reckless people who get loud when we get upset, rolling our necks, throwing drinks, and speak as though we have no respect for others or ourselves. Sadly, this is what many, those inside and outside of the race, expect from us, and if we do not act this way, sometimes due to introversion, we either "think we are better" or "up to something."

(Watch video from 1:26)
Video by 

Due to these negative portrayals, I feel I have to work everyday to prove them wrong. If I encounter a disagreement with someone, I like to see where the other person is coming from, not get mad, get loud and call them names other than their own. In my everyday conversation, I not only respect the people I talk to, but go a step further to prove my knowledge in every situation, make sure my voice is heard WHEN NECESSARY, but also hear the other persons side. I prefer "educated conversations" over ignorant ones.

     2.   African American introverts think they are better than the rest

This stereotype seems to appear more within the African American culture against each other. This is one I encounter on a regular basis, especially in the college environment. In the college environment, there are always parties. I have nothing against people who like to go out to parties, but that is not my scene. I prefer to be at home watching a movie or hanging out with one or two friends. My African American friends respond to this by saying, "you're too good to go out with us?" When in reality, I just don't like the environment. On a daily basis, I run into groups of African Americans on campus who hang out with each other, but I only know a few of them. I speak to the few I know and politely wave to the others. However because I do not make the effort to talk to them and get to know them like the others do, I am seen as "uppity" or "too good" for them. So it is not only people outside of the African American race, but those within it as well that cause me to feel uncomfortable. Yes, I do choose the people I call friends and who I hang out with wisely, but that is because I value having few close friends them a thousand acquaintances. Yes, I do talk differently than you and prefer different types of music, but that does not make me less black or better than anyone, it makes me eclectic. So, no, I do not think I am better than the rest. I am choosing not settle like many.

     3.   African American introverts are scheming

This assumption more so applies to African American men, but can apply to women as well. This is the idea that because a person is African American and does not fit the stereotype, maybe quietly reading to themselves or something, they must be up to something. Take for example the Trayvon Martin case. It is not known that he was an introvert, but he was keeping to himself, but because of, in my opinion, the color of his skin, he was killed. Even in walking the sidewalk or in the mall, I have noticed women subconsciously or consciously, grab their purses a little tighter when an African American male walks by. For women, it has been said that when an African American woman gets quiet, she is about to "go off" or get upset and start yelling, or based on television stereotypes they are planning to key your car, or cut your tires. Why can't we just be sitting quietly just to be quiet and relax? Why do we have to be up to something. Many people that know me know that, yes, I am quiet most of the time because I prefer to keep my thoughts to myself unless they are necessary or helpful to a situation. Do I think and occasional smart ass response to people every now and then, yes, but that doesn't mean I am plotting to harm them or get back at them in any way.

For these reasons, I feel I have to do three times the work that others do. I go into an interview knowing that I am and 1. I am African American 2.  I am a woman and 3. I am an introvert so I have to let my knowledge show, I have to let my personality show, I have to be steps above the rest. Some may say this is the case for any interview or situation, but understand there is a difference.

I hate that I had to separate myself from other introverts but I cannot ignore the fact that the separation is there, whether it is present due to society or family beliefs and values. I do wish that everyone could be on the same level, but in the world and society of the world, it seems unreachable. Everyone is a product of their own environment, but it is how you accomodate your differences that makes the difference.