Why do Americans who are not black like to call American black men brotha or brother when they don’t say that for other races?

25 comments

1. I call everyone brother these days. Picked it up online playing games with black dudes online. They trained me to code-switch a little bit, lmao. It’s not just a thing I call black men, but it definitely started from my exposure to that community.

2. > when they don’t say that for other races?

   <citation needed>

3. Your entire premise is false

4. They don’t?

5. I think you misunderstand the people who do it do it for everyone regardless of race there might be some people who do it to only black guys but that’s a much smaller percentage

6. I only call Chamorros/Guamians brother

7. Huh?

8. Never heard of that. I call everyone bro/bruh unless it’s a professional context

9. Because they are the brothas.

10. I have never limited “brother” to one race.

11. Your premise is false in my opinion.

12. I call a lot of people brother lol

    And I mean brother not bro

13. “Thanks brother” or “Later brother” is a standard exchange between myself and other friends in my circle. We make up three different races.

    I am not sure what answer you are looking for or where your perception is coming from.

    This is before we even get to “bro” which is how I address most people.

14. I don’t call anyone brother or bro.

    If I’m talking with a male I’ll either start off with “hey man” or “excuse me sir” depending on how formal I need to be.

15. What? Lol

16. Black culture plays a huge influence in larger american culture, especially when it comes to slang, fashion, and music.

17. Idk.

    honestly I wouldn’t, just because I feel weird referring to people as brother or sister.

    and I grew up Mormon, so like….. I grew up around people who call literally ***everyone*** brother or sister.

    Although, in that instance it’s more of an honorific than a title.

    So like you have “Brother Johnson” or “Brother Dehlin” and “Sister Helfer” or “Sister Burrell”

    It’s never even crossed my mind to just call someone “Brother”. not even my actual brothers.

18. It depends.

    Some White guys call a lot of people brother regardless of race. Hannibal Buress even joked about Hulk Hogan doing that in one of his stand-up specials. Others do it in an awkward way to fit in when hanging out with Black guys. And in other cases it’s just the way friends like talking to each other.

19. I notice people in the south in general use the term “brother” more. I haven’t noticed white people saying it more towards one race or another.

20. Probably because there are other categories of Americans that also use that term, such as older military guys and, by extension, bikers and some first responders. Many church and public service groups refer to other males as brothers as well.

    I’ll add the aave (black) accent you’re talking about is primarily a southern accent so it would make sense to find many white people of other races using the term with a similar accent.

21. I’m white and have lived in many mix raced cities, “brotha” has been a term of endearment between two people (usually men).

    I’m white af and can walk into my local shop run all by black people and I’ll hear “what up my brotha” as a greeting.

22. It’s not that deep man

23. Hulk Hogan

24. Look up Hulk Hogan, brother

25. During the 60’s, per the Internet, black men started calling each other “brother” in solidarity, as many families were broken up by the slave trade. This was amplified by musicians and hip hop artists up through the 80’s (and maybe later). I definitely remember hearing black men called “the brothers”, probably by boomers. I have also heard black men refer to other black men as “brothers”, and heard it in movie and tv.

    That said, this is not common anymore. People today are more aware of systemic racism and history of racism (woke), and more aware that people are people, but to be respectful and aware of the struggles of others. However, you will hear people call friends “brother” or “brother-man”