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Being white is a privilege, says this PSA.

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Then we need a better PSA.

Which is really the problem. White people have it too good? Or minorities have it too bad? The PSA thinks arguing the former is the same as advocating awareness of the later. It's not.

That's the way people would take it regardless of how it was framed. They already have a zero-sum view of racial disparities, whether or not they would ever admit it (or even realize it). Try advancing an argument in favor of affirmative action that centers entirely around the need to provide access to higher education to minority groups who to this day continue to be underrepresented (without once mentioning that white people are simultaneously and historically have been overrepresented). I guarantee that the reaction will be just as vitriolic.
 
You're on the right path, to acknowledge it.
Now if you can spread your enlightenment.
Some people I've met in life are just oblivious to it, this girl used to enrage me when she insinuated I had "privilege" because they'd give me more money for school for being black.

Yea, I used to be just like her actually. It blows my mind sometimes how ignorant I used to be. It really is a case of "see no evil". It's hard for people to acknowledge that something that they personally have no control over has given them such a basic advantage in life, and let's be honest who wants to give up advantages? That's how people think. If a privilege has been given, it can also be taken away.

But the thing is, and this is why I'm opposed to using the word "privilege" when talking about this, is that this won't be taken away from whites...it'll just be given to everyone else. The idea is that we're all supposed to be equal, right? But as I said, people want to be willfully ignorant about this sort of thing because it helps them sleep better at night.

People also think they need to feel guilty about the situation, they don't. They didn't create "white privilege", but what they can do is to help combat it. If you've been made aware of it, acknowledge it exists, and do nothing...that's something to feel guilty about. But if you know about it, and individually try and change then you shouldn't feel guilty...you're doing more than almost everyone else in the white population.
 
Do any of you guys ever think about things like scholarships for blacks,hispanics, black history month. Or like when I worked for Comcast they had a big newsletter about how Comcast was a great employer of hispanics, some hispanic organization was praising Comcast for this.

What I am asking, is do any of you feel these things hold back equality? Personally I do not give a shit if you get more money for school because you are black or hispanic. I really do not give a shit, I am not jealous, I don't think its wrong .... so please don't get me wrong GAF.

But I think all this stuff just throws out the notion that blacks, hispanics, asians, are less then whites. We have to praise ourselves for being a big employer of hispanics, I mean what the fuck???? It just comes across awkward as shit.

Again I have no problem with black history month, or scholarships for minorities. But it just always strikes me as strange. I think scholarships for minorities is a good thing, but at the same time it has a weird undertone I can't put my finger on.
 
That's the way people would take it regardless of how it was framed. They already have a zero-sum view of racial disparities, whether or not they would ever admit it (or even realize it). Try advancing an argument in favor of affirmative action that centers entirely around the need to provide access to higher education to minority groups who to this day continue to be underrepresented (without once mentioning that white people are simultaneously and historically have been overrepresented). I guarantee that the reaction will be just as vitriolic.

AA proponents tried that exact argument to maintain those policies in the cal state system these past few years. Hard to make that argument when first generation Asians students from poor families are the dominant base of people on almost every campus.
People also think they need to feel guilty about the situation, they don't. They didn't create "white privilege", but what they can do is to help combat it. If you've been made aware of it, acknowledge it exists, and do nothing...that's something to feel guilty about. But if you know about it, and individually try and change then you shouldn't feel guilty...you're doing more than almost everyone else in the white population.
What are white people supposed to do?
 
AA proponents tried that exact argument to maintain those policies in the cal state system these past few years. Hard to make that argument when first generation Asians students from poor families are the dominant base of people on almost every campus.
What are white people supposed to do?

Just give everyone a chance and don't judge them based on color. That's all you can do. I am not going to go fucking march down the street with a banner that's for sure lol.
 
You're on the right path, to acknowledge it.
Now if you can spread your enlightenment.
Some people I've met in life are just oblivious to it, this girl used to enrage me when she insinuated I had "privilege" because they'd give me more money for school for being black.

Why did you put privilege in quotes there? Blacks do get more financial aid and have their race considered to be preferential when applying for college, regardless of financial situation. The government instituted this as a veritable racial privelege - with no quotes. Not an economic privilege. That's the entire point.

White people definitely have their own privilege, but blacks made to have an easier time in academia over asians and whites was consciously instituted to balance the scales.

If I'm going to be required to recognize my privilege as a white male (which i wholeheartedly do), then you're going to at least recognize the privilege that certain institutions are trying to give you to help even out inequality in America.
 
Just give everyone a chance and don't judge them based on color. That's all you can do. I am not going to go fucking march down the street with a banner that's for sure lol.

That's not enough. People have inbred prejudices even when they claim to "give everyone a chance", hence the hiring practices of the musicians who play behind screens or having multiple people review resumes and or interview prospective employees.
 
Not follow someone around the store just because they're black? Give people the benefit of the doubt...treat shady people the same regardless of their skin color...I don't know.

Ya I don't think that is what he mean't, at all. I think what he was saying is what are NORMAL non racist white people supposed to do, to change society. But yeah ...
 
Just give everyone a chance and don't judge them based on color. That's all you can do. I am not going to go fucking march down the street with a banner that's for sure lol.

Not follow someone around the store just because they're black? Give people the benefit of the doubt...treat shady people the same regardless of their skin color...I don't know.

In other words treat people as they should be treated regardless of the term white privilege.

This is why the term is dumb. it doesn't mean aything except guilt trip people. Their are real, substantial things people can do to help minorities in this country, but shit like this doesn't help. It belittles the issue on both sides and turns into a pissing contest of whose worse, and whose worst off.
 
That's not enough. People have inbred prejudices even when they claim to "give everyone a chance", hence the hiring practices of the musicians who play behind screens or having multiple people review resumes and or interview prospective employees.

What should I do then Devo? My best friend is black, ex crip, and the type of guy that would have my back in any fight. AKA he is a bad ass mother fucker, seen him beat up someone for trying to beat me up.

I am stereotypical white dude, I am a super dork who plays video games and goes on the net all day. I am safe moist like a mother fucker. (sorry that is kind of racist towards white people lol) Know how me and this total opposite of a person are friends?

Because I don't give a fuck that he's black, or has a bad history. He's a good dude inside, and we like to play 360 together. We ended up becoming really good friends, from total different worlds. I mean the shit this dude has told me is crazy, I can not relate.

But we are still friends, I think I did good enough. A lot of people would of looked at him as some gang banging nigger. But I just saw some dude, who asked why I was hollering out my window saying "FUCK YEAH" all the time. Told him because I was owning at NBA2k11, next thing you know I am up in his apartment playing game w/ him. And long story short, made a great friend.

And I said the N word in full because a lot of people would look at him and think exactly that, I just wanted to say it like that to get my point across at how shit is. Before GAF jumps down my throat ...

But sorry Devo I am not going to go march for some cause, I mean you said it's not enough so I am assuming some form of activism is what you think I should be doing. If not , then my bad on that part I don't know what you mean't really.


Sounds reasonable.

I'd add, give a hand when possible to anyone in need when possible.


Believe me I do. I hate myself for a lot of reasons. But I am a good person, cannot count the number of times I've given homeless people a lot of money when I was working and didn't care. Or given rides to people that I just saw on the street in need of help. I am not tooting my own horn, but I do that kind of stuff. Everyone should but yeah that's in a perfect world.
 
What should I do then Devo? My best friend is black, ex crip, and the type of guy that would have my back in any fight. AKA he is a bad ass mother fucker, seen him beat up someone for trying to beat me up.

I am stereotypical white dude, I am a super dork who plays video games and goes on the net all day. I am safe moist like a mother fucker. (sorry that is kind of racist towards white people lol) Know how me and this total opposite of a person are friends?

Because I don't give a fuck that he's black, or has a bad history. He's a good dude inside, and we like to play 360 together. We ended up becoming really good friends, from total different worlds. I mean the shit this dude has told me is crazy, I cannot not relate.

But we are still friends, I think I did good enough. A lot of people would of looked at him as some gang banging nigger. But I just saw some dude, who asked why I was hollering out my window saying "FUCK YEAH" all the time. Told him because I was owning at NBA2k11, next thing you know I am up in his apartment playing game w/ him. And long story short, made a great friend.

And I said the N word in full because a lot of people would look at him and think exactly that, I just wanted to say it like that to get my point across at how shit is. Before GAF jumps down my throat ...

But sorry Devo I am not going to go march for some cause, I mean you said it's not enough so I am assuming some form of activism is what you think I should be doing. If not , then my bad on that part I don't know what you mean't really.

People don't have to be activists but the idea that if we just treat everyone equally shit will be okay has been proven to be false and naive.
 
Not follow someone around the store just because they're black? Give people the benefit of the doubt...treat shady people the same regardless of their skin color...I don't know.

What if I don't follow people around the store already?

Also, everyone stereotypes to some degree. Whether its by race, social status, gender, clothes, etc. treating everyone you meet on a daily basis as a fresh slate would be brain overload. Stereotyping is a mechanism we use to simplify daily encounters. Whether this stereotyping transitions into taking away opportunities is another thing entirely. But not stereotyping at all is inherintely impossible.
 
Ya I don't think that is what he mean't, at all. I think what he was saying is what are NORMAL non racist white people supposed to do, to change society. But yeah ...

"Normal non racist white people"? That implies that the only time racism "occurs" in this country is when some hootin' tootin' hood-wearin' wacko extremist in the South says the n-word. It's more nuanced than that. You don't necessarily have to be a "racist" to, say, subconsciously be more vigilant of black people in your store. And suggesting that these types of incidents are "abnormal" is closing your eyes to the pervasiveness of the discrimination.
 
People don't have to be activists but the idea that if we just treat everyone equally shit will be okay has been proven to be false and naive.

Well then what should we do? Pump out 100 PSA's? Treating everyone fair and equally is what needs to be done, I don't think it's naive to think that way. Again , perfect world I suppose ....
 
What are white people supposed to do?

Well, if you treat people of color differently, then you could stop that.

Otherwise, you can notice which policies are obviously or subtly racist, either by execution or by law and try to dismantle them.
Well then what should we do? Pump out 100 PSA's? Treating everyone fair and equally is what needs to be done, I don't think it's naive to think that way. Again , perfect world I suppose ....

What does 'treating everyone fair and equally' mean? For example, the War on Drugs could be seen as something that is fair and equal, but in it's execution, it is really damaging to black communities, even if everyone caught were given equal punishments (which they aren't.)

There's also the de facto segregation.
 
People don't have to be activists but the idea that if we just treat everyone equally shit will be okay has been proven to be false and naive.

What do you expect out of people? So treating everyone equally is no longer good enough? I'm aware the powers that be keep this in place but what else is a guy to do?
 
"Normal non racist white people"? That implies that the only time racism "occurs" in this country is when some hootin' tootin' hood-wearin' wacko extremist in the South says the n-word. It's more nuanced than that. You don't necessarily have to be a "racist" to, say, subconsciously be more vigilant of black people in your store. And suggesting that these types of incidents are "abnormal" is closing your eyes to the pervasiveness of the discrimination.

Sorry but I view any form of discrimination, and any form of racism, as ab normal. I see what you are saying. It's just how you view things.

You see racism/discrimination as more normal, then ab normal. And honestly your probably right ...

I am not blind to this fact, but for me personally I view these behaviors and thoughts as ab normal. Again I totally see what your saying though.
 
Well, if you treat people of color differently, then you could stop that.

Otherwise, you can notice which policies are obviously or subtly racist, either by execution or by law and try to dismantle them.


What does 'treating everyone fair and equally' mean? For example, the War on Drugs could be seen as something that is fair and equal, but in it's execution, it is really damaging to black communities, even if everyone caught were given equal punishments (which they aren't.)

There's also the de facto segregation.

Fair and Equal means I see a guy who is black, tat'd up to the gills, and I don't really give a fuck. I don't look at him as a threat, and I don't treat him as a threat. I don't look at him as less of a human then a white guy, and I treat him the same. That's what it means.

As far as changing everyone to this way of thinking I don't really know how to do that, but I don't think most posters in this thread know how to do that either. Or someone would be giving suggestions.
 
Sorry but I view any form of discrimination, and any form of racism, as ab normal. I see what you are saying. It's just how you view things.

You see racism/discrimination as more normal, then ab normal. And honestly your probably right ...

I am not blind to this fact, but for me personally I view these behaviors and thoughts as ab normal. Again I totally see what your saying though.

In my experience people who talk like this tend to be the most racist. Same with people with "I have a black friend" stories.

Anyway...

Look, the whole "everyone should be equal" thing is an ideal type. It's never going to happen, there's always going to be "haves" and "have nots." Whether it's whites or blacks or rich and poor, there's always going to be inequality.

This shit isn't confined to the U.S in any manner either.
 
What are white people supposed to do?

Perhaps... accept that there is a disparity, then help convince others that remain willfully ignorant of the same?

It sounds cheesy to suggest that we should be "spreading awareness," but look at opinion polls of white people's views on race. When such a large segment of the white population steadfastly refuses to accept that there is a problem, how much chance is there of effecting any meaningful social, political, or economic change?
 
Sorry but I view any form of discrimination, and any form of racism, as ab normal. I see what you are saying. It's just how you view things.

You see racism/discrimination as more normal, then ab normal. And honestly your probably right ...

I am not blind to this fact, but for me personally I view these behaviors and thoughts as ab normal. Again I totally see what your saying though.

Perhaps "abnormal" in that it shouldn't be the norm, but it's absolutely "normal" in that it is in line with or helps to explain the very real statistical disparities between the races.

Fucking dumb.

See? Now there's some nuance.
 
Fair and Equal means I see a guy who is black, tat'd up to the gills, and I don't really give a fuck. I don't look at him as a threat, and I don't treat him as a threat. I don't look at him as less of a human then a white guy, and I treat him the same. That's what it means.

As far as changing everyone to this way of thinking I don't really know how to do that, but I don't think most posters in this thread know how to do that either. Or someone would be giving suggestions.

That's good from a personal level, but given that many problems are systematic, it doesn't really help that much...

But yea, people have been giving suggestions in terms of spreading awareness, because that's the thing, people really don't know about this.

As in, they believe that racism only exists on the personal level and not the society/government level.

I assume that's what the book Mumei keeps posting, Racism without Racists, is about.
 
Otherwise, you can notice which policies are obviously or subtly racist, either by execution or by law and try to dismantle them.

Edit: it's not even about looking for racist policy per se. It's policy and systems that enforce generational poverty.

Wouldn't that be a far better idea, a far wiser idea than guilting people?

Perhaps... accept that there is a disparity, then help convince others that remain willfully ignorant of the same?

It sounds cheesy to suggest that we should be "spreading awareness," but look at opinion polls of white people's views on race. When such a large segment of the white population steadfastly refuses to accept that there is a problem, how much chance is there of effecting any meaningful social, political, or economic change?

What are the opinion polls of white people? That they don't believe that they are being give an advantage in life while they lose their homes, send their kids to bad schools and fall deeper into debt?

WP moves the focus away from where it should be, institutional structures entrenched in our society and have flaws and into the realm of personal persecution, which we can see in this thread.

"You aren't doing enough for black people. Granted we don't know what you should be doing, but it isn't enough."
 
In my experience people who talk like this tend to be the most racist. Same with people with "I have a black friend" stories.

Anyway...

Look, the whole "everyone should be equal" thing is an ideal type. It's never going to happen, there's always going to be "haves" and "have nots." Whether it's whites or blacks or rich and poor, there's always going to be inequality.

This shit isn't confined to the U.S in any manner either.

Trying SO hard not to say fuck you dude.

Just call me racist, at least be an adult about it. Don't just slide that up in there like that.

Unbelievable GAF, every time man.
 
Wouldn't that be a far better idea, a far wiser idea than guilting people?



What are the opinion polls of white people? That they don't believe that they are being give an advantage in life while they lose their homes, send their kids to bad schools and fall deeper into debt?

WP moves the focus away from where it should be, institutional structures are entrenched in our society and have flaws and into the realm of personal persecution, which we can see in this thread.

"You aren't doing enough for black people. Granted we don't know what you should be doing, but it isn't enough."

Combine that with the fact that most people are going through some level of bullshit right now cause of housing market and economy and people simply don't want to hear that shit. Wrong way to go about it IMO.
 
Combine that with the fact that most people are going through some level of bullshit right now cause of housing market and economy and people simply don't want to hear that shit. Wrong way to go about it IMO.

Seriously we lost our home, but I am not sitting in here complaining that I have it hard. I have it a lot easier then minorities in a lot of ways.

But then you have guys like the poster who just basically called me racist, and you know that's what he mean't even though he'll deny it. Piss's me off so much man. I try so hard to be open minded and give everyone a chance. There is a lot of people that no matter what you say, or do, or how you live, they will think you have some underline racist thoughts or issues towards minorities just because you are white.

Fuck.That.Shit!

This is why I stay out of these threads. Should know better by now!
 
You have some really good posts in here Riggs. I think you have a good head on your shoulders. Don't take the bait.
 
Seriously we lost our home, but I am not sitting in here complaining that I have it hard. I have it a lot easier then minorities in a lot of ways.

But then you have guys like the poster who just basically called me racist, and you know that's what he mean't even though he'll deny it. Piss's me off so much man. I try so hard to be open minded and give everyone a chance. There is a lot of people that no matter what you say, or do, or how you live, they will think you have some underline racist thoughts or issues towards minorities just because you are white.

Fuck.That.Shit!

I'd say ignore people on internet boards. if you know you treat people equally so be it.
 
I still think this is more of a socioeconomic issue than a race one. It just so happens that blacks disproportionately inhabit a larger chunk of that population (based off of forced historical circumstances). The issue of "race" has subsided "some" but the view of lower class people has not changed, thus the effect is pretty much the same.

White people from the same lowerclass, that look the same as that class will be treated just the same.

Same with blacks that dress as "thugs" and whites who are all tattooed up wearing wifebeaters and shorts.

It's far more about your social status and appearance these days. Race is a "part" but not THE part.

Trying SO hard not to say fuck you dude.

Just call me racist, at least be an adult about it. Don't just slide that up in there like that.

Unbelievable GAF, every time man.

Just callin' it how I see it based off of my own experiences.
 
I still think this is more of a socioeconomic issue than a race one. It just so happens that blacks disproportionately inhabit a larger chunk of that population. The issue of "race" has subsided "some" but the view of lower class people has not changed, thus the effect is pretty much the same.

White people from the same class, that look the same as that class will be treated just the same.

Same with blacks that dress as "thugs" and whites who are all tattooed up wearing wifebeaters and shorts.

It's far more about your social status and appearance these days. Race is a "part" but not THE part.



Just callin' it how I see it based off of my own experiences.

Sorry I used a true story as part of the discussion, next time I will just make some shit up to convey how I feel or don't feel.

Not even mad dude, but comments like that are just unnecessary.
 
Who is white? Are spainards, Greek, Italians, Portuguese etc considered "white"?

Since apparently they are just talking about the U.S, it's traditionally white Americans.

The whole problem is that race is a social construct anyway, infact historically it was possible for a person to "become white."
 
What are the opinion polls of white people? That they don't believe that they are being give an advantage in life while they lose their homes, send their kids to bad schools and fall deeper into debt?

The mortgage crisis has affected everyone, but it has disproportionately affected black and Hispanic families. And even if it hadn't, so what? I guarantee you that not every white person who gave a thumbs down to that YouTube video is being foreclosed upon. It goes deeper than "they're just upset because they're poor."

WP moves the focus away from where it should be, institutional structures entrenched in our society and have flaws and into the realm of personal persecution, which we can see in this thread.

People will have a persecution complex, regardless. Blame the Rush Limbaugh's and the Glenn Beck's, but anytime there is talk of addressing/improving the conditions of minorities, you'll see white people standing up and exclaiming, "That's not fair! Why should they have an advantage that I didn't have?!" Which is exactly where discussion of white privilege fits in...
 
Seriously we lost our home, but I am not sitting in here complaining that I have it hard. I have it a lot easier then minorities in a lot of ways.

But then you have guys like the poster who just basically called me racist, and you know that's what he mean't even though he'll deny it. Piss's me off so much man. I try so hard to be open minded and give everyone a chance. There is a lot of people that no matter what you say, or do, or how you live, they will think you have some underline racist thoughts or issues towards minorities just because you are white.

Fuck.That.Shit!

This is why I stay out of these threads. Should know better by now!

I recall you leveling the same charge at me, repeatedly, in that "n word" thread. so, speaking from experience, I recommend not taking the internet so personally.
 
This is why I stay out of these threads. Should know better by now!
Seriously we lost our home, but I am not sitting in here complaining that I have it hard. I have it a lot easier then minorities in a lot of ways.

But then you have guys like the poster who just basically called me racist, and you know that's what he mean't even though he'll deny it. Piss's me off so much man. I try so hard to be open minded and give everyone a chance. There is a lot of people that no matter what you say, or do, or how you live, they will think you have some underline racist thoughts or issues towards minorities just because you are white.

Fuck.That.Shit!

This is why I stay out of these threads. Should know better by now!

ignore this shit. You being a good person goes a long way.

If you really care about black people, and this goes for everyone, if you really care than dare to change the system.
Support ending the drug war, and lessening penalties for drug possession so crime doesn't ravage a family for generations. Support local charities and Community activities that work with kids. That genuinely goes a long way.
Support school reform and choice, so people aren't forced into shitty schools. I was forced into a bad school full of violence and gangs and I could't leave to do something better because of zoning. I know people who fell into that because it was what they walked into every day. Give them a choice to leave if they want.

Those are a few of the things that have to be looked at. Much of our problem goes back for decades, and wondering whether or not someone at wal-green looks at you funny when you enter a store is so small, so irrelevant in the grand scheme of things that focusing on it is almost insulting.
 
Here's one thing white people can do, stop voting Republican!

And lol @ people acting like white privelege only works in white settings. Minorities kiss white ass it's not even funny (b/c white people are good by default, duh!). I go to stores here (Chinatown NYC) and I am met with unfriendliness and suspicion. I bring a white friend who is there for the first time and the owners are friendly as hell, as if my white friend is the one going in 3x a week making the store money. This has happened on two occassions and it was the store owners both times that initiated friendly conversation with my white guests.

LOL usually when me and my GF go running and she has to use the public restroom, I wait outside the restroom just in case. One time, there was a chinese girl in the woman's room and her mom was waiting outside doing the same. We walk up and my GF goes to the bathroom, and I stop as usual and wait outside. Chinese lady makes eye contact w/me, looks scared and runs in the bathroom, acting like I was going to go in there and victimize her daughter. I highly doubt she would have been concerned about her daughter's well being if I was white. And her dumbass saw me escort my GF so what the hell else would I be doing waiting outside a woman's room?

White people get the benefit of the doubt.
 
I recall you leveling the same charge at me, repeatedly, in that "n word" thread. so, speaking from experience, I recommend not taking the internet so personally.

.

Edit: Don't need to shit this thread up w/ my personal bullshit. Sorry theignoramus.

Wouldn't that be a far better idea, a far wiser idea than guilting people?



What are the opinion polls of white people? That they don't believe that they are being give an advantage in life while they lose their homes, send their kids to bad schools and fall deeper into debt?

WP moves the focus away from where it should be, institutional structures entrenched in our society and have flaws and into the realm of personal persecution, which we can see in this thread.

"You aren't doing enough for black people. Granted we don't know what you should be doing, but it isn't enough."

Ty just saw both of these, I should calm my silly ass down before I get a free ride on the ban train lol.
 
Trying SO hard not to say fuck you dude.

Just call me racist, at least be an adult about it. Don't just slide that up in there like that.

Unbelievable GAF, every time man.

I don't think you're racist Riggs, I'm just saying even if you give minorities a fair shake like I do that doesn't change how some laws are written, how prospective employers treat minorities either in hiring practices or pay, how the stores who handle theft routinely target black people, how they are treated within the justice system. If simply treating people equally on an individual level was enough these things would still not persist and yet they do. You don't change anything by coddling people and saying "it's okay you treat every individual minority like a person." There are realities that minorities face that simply don't get solved by how you or I treat others fairly.
 
The mortgage crisis has affected everyone, but it has disproportionately affected black and Hispanic families. And even if it hadn't, so what? I guarantee you that not every white person who gave a thumbs down to that YouTube video is being foreclosed upon. It goes deeper than "they're just upset because they're poor."
But poverty and racism are intricately linked. Time after time after time history shows that people's racism and hatred change when they work and live together, even in this country.


People will have a persecution complex, regardless. Blame the Rush Limbaugh's and the Glenn Beck's, but anytime there is talk of addressing/improving the conditions of minorities, you'll see white people standing up and exclaiming, "That's not fair! Why should they have an advantage that I didn't have?!" Which is exactly where discussion of white privilege fits in...
Really? Because most of the times that reaction isn't directed at ideas that will actually solve problems. It's directed at welfare
 
Since apparently they are just talking about the U.S, it's traditionally white Americans.

The whole problem is that race is a social construct anyway, infact historically it was possible for a person to "become white."

It is and it isn't. You can debate that Caucasoid/Negroid/Mongoloid/Australoid races exist. Definition of the black race is based mostly on society due to the One drop rule, but white race seem to suffer the opposite of that (any mixture => non-white). So usually a person considered white will be of mostly European stock. From what I understand a person is usually considered white if they can fit in Europe. So there is a biological component to it, but the differences are actually small in the grand scheme of things and biological classification stop at sub-species anyways so they have no biological meaning.
 
I don't think you're racist Riggs, I'm just saying even if you give minorities a fair shake like I do that doesn't change how some laws are written, how prospective employers treat minorities either in hiring practices or pay, how the stores who handle theft routinely target black people, how they are treated within the justice system. If simply treating people equally on an individual level was enough these things would still not persist and yet they do. You don't change anything by coddling people and saying "it's okay you treat every individual minority like a person." There are realities that minorities face that simply don't get solved by how you or I treat others fairly.

Yeah fully agreed, I just don't know how I could change any of that myself is all.

And please I hope you know the quote you got me on was not directed at you, was another poster.
 
But poverty and racism are intricately linked. Time after time after time history shows that people's racism and hatred change when they work and live together, even in this country.

Not saying they're not linked, just saying that there are people in denial about racism spanning the entire socioeconomic spectrum.

Really? Because most of the times that reaction isn't directed at ideas that will actually solve problems. It's directed at welfare

Well, you can talk to white people about reforming mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines, but they'll probably just stare at you blankly for a few moments before moving on with their lives.
 
Yeah fully agreed, I just don't know how I could change any of that myself is all.

And please I hope you know the quote you got me on was not directed at you, was another poster.

I know which is why I wanted to clarify that I am not on that particular wavelength in this conversation. As for doing things if people listen to you whom otherwise might be ignorant to these things it's never wrong to raise awareness by informing them.
 
It's funny how if I acknowledge White Privilege I'm accused of being full of white guilt. Yet it's the people that try to downplay the issue who are the only ones afraid of being assigned guilt, blame, or some form of repercussions.

Nobody is looking to blame whitey here, bros.
 
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