Stereotypes not only occur between races, but can also occur within a race. One such stereotype some black students face is the accusation of “acting white.”

Kent State University associate psychology professor Angela Neal-Barnett has been researching such accusations.

“Some people believe that if your definition of what it means to be black is different than theirs, then you must be acting white,” Neal-Barnett said. “Black adolescents who dress differently, listen to music other than hip-hop or rap or who speak proper English instead of slang, may be accused of acting white. The types of extracurricular activities they choose and how well they do in school may also be a factor.”

When younger adolescents receive this accusation, it is a judgment against everything they are, she said

Turner said although she didn’t quit trying hard in school, the accusation affected her enough that she dropped out of the gifted program because she didn’t want to stand out.

Neal-Barnett said there is an acting white “trap.”

She said this happens when black adolescents receive the accusation, and then begin to explore what it means to be black by changing their behavior, such as to stop trying to do well in school.

“Spending some time in the trap is not necessarily a bad thing,” she said. “Some adolescents emerge with a true understanding of who they are.”

Neal-Barnett said the problem starts when one person lets another determine his or her racial identity.

“I don’t think anyone should have to act a certain way,” senior marketing major Laura Joy said. “Everyone should be able to act how they want, no matter what their race is.”

Neal-Barnett said even though some students don’t see it as a problem, she is happy they recognize the accusation does exist and that they don’t consider it a myth.

She began researching the accusation of acting white in 2000 and appeared on CNN this past February to discuss the topic.

She said being on CNN allowed her to have a healthy discussion about the accusation of acting white on a broader basis.

“Acting white has nothing to do with wanting to be white,” Neal-Barnett said. “But it has everything to do with being black.”