Can A Black Man Know...?

brohammas said; "I think I have a pretty solid idea of where most of the white conservatives are coming from."
I read where a lot of Black people state that a white person can never understand things from a Black perspective.
I also read where Blacks criticize whites who dare to share an opinion on Black Blogs.
But is this thinking correct?
Can a white man know how a Black man thinks?
Can a Black man know how a white man thinks?

You see, there is a difference.
Most whites fail to undertake any real study of the experiences of most Black people in this country.
Most whites view the world as "White by right" and seem to expect their opinions and experiences to carry more weight in any conversation.
This isn't racist thinking - it has more to do with the culture that we see every day of our lives.
Most Blacks, whites or "others" have just grown accustomed to being (or seeing) a white person in a position of power.
Since it's always seemed to be the working model of the past, it is just assumed that it will be the paradigm of the future.

But this thinking isn't limited to only whites.
Many Blacks (and other minorities) buy into this mentality of white superiority whenever they discount any success or higher standard as that of white people.
"Acting White" is viewed by some as the same as "Doing Well".
What does this say about their thinking of the value of Acting Black?
Is it the concept of Black=Bad while White=Good?

Maybe most whites can't understand the nuances of Black life - but can Blacks understand the nuances of being white?
Can Black people tell what white people are thinking?
I'd say; "Yes".

You see, the difference is that we Blacks have been taught the ways of white (or what is generally understood as white culture) since birth.
American culture has been claimed as belonging to and invented by whites alone.
Every magazine, television show, movie, newspaper or schoolbook has always had a white spin.
Every social norm or law has been dictated and imposed to ensure the success of whites first.
(Even the social panacea Affirmative-Action has benefited more white women that it has African Americans.)

So, can Blacks speak for whites with any sense of accuracy?
If the Black person has enough experience in mastering (academically, financially and socially) today's popular culture, yes.
Can Whites speak for Blacks with any sense of accuracy?
Umm... not usually.