Do, you really need an explanation as to my view on this...?
‘To be white is to be racist, period,’ a high school teacher told his class
‘To be white is to be racist, period,’ a high school teacher told his class
To be white is to be racist, period
- Thread starter beancounter
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Yes, but this is singling out just one. This "guilty until proven guilty" mentality is dangerous to our democracy.
There's a difference between prejudice, bigotry and racism. I think everyone/almost everyone is prejudiced. It's what we do with that that determines whether we are bigoted. And racism is prejudice and bigotry given institutional power.
So, yeah, there is truth in the assertion that everyone who willingly benefits from prejudice and bigotry is racist.
So, yeah, there is truth in the assertion that everyone who willingly benefits from prejudice and bigotry is racist.
Spang
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White people are racist by default. If you live in the United States, you live in a country founded on slavery and genocide. The so-called end to slavery led to the Thirteenth Amendment (slavery is A-OK as punishment), Pig Laws, Black Codes, Jim Crow and the prison-industrial complex. Whether a white person considers him- or herself racist or not, they grew up in a racist society and benefit from institutionalized racism. To not be racist requires effort. If you are a white person in America, you are probably racist.
kita
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The problem with this statement that I see is that it ends any dialog. Stating this to high school students who are probably taught a very diluted history of the world isn't going to help them.
Just telling them your racist, they are not going to get it and probably get defensive. Stating how any white person may have benefited, is another thing.
I know how I struggled and was bullied in school. If a teacher told me I'm a racist in class after having been assaulted in the halls and no one cared, I don't know what I would have thought. I'm even a bigger piece of **** maybe?
Just telling them your racist, they are not going to get it and probably get defensive. Stating how any white person may have benefited, is another thing.
I know how I struggled and was bullied in school. If a teacher told me I'm a racist in class after having been assaulted in the halls and no one cared, I don't know what I would have thought. I'm even a bigger piece of **** maybe?
Does this mean white Americans are less blameworthy for their racist speech and actions, since they're apparently pretty much born racist?
In any case, I'm glad this doesn't apply to me, since I'm not American. As for the Americans on here, though, white people every one of you, I believe: Sheesh, you ought to be ashamed of yourselves! Disgusting.
(Disclaimer: This post contains irony.)
In any case, I'm glad this doesn't apply to me, since I'm not American. As for the Americans on here, though, white people every one of you, I believe: Sheesh, you ought to be ashamed of yourselves! Disgusting.
(Disclaimer: This post contains irony.)
I agree. I try not to be racist, but it's hard as so much of society is still geared towards white people, white men especially. I am a feminist, but I know I must have sexist thoughts sometimes as I grew up in a sexist society.
Saying that, I'm not sure I would put it in quite those terms if I was a teacher.
Freesia
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A complicated issue.
I think if we stop tolerating inequality and try and fix many problems and recognise some people are disadvantaged by some aspects such as race, gender, disability, sexuality, economic background etc... that is the way to get rid of racism because the structural problems would no longer exist and then it would be a thing of the past.
The problem is that this is unlikely to happen, because humans LIKE inequality and they want it to exist. Some are happy with extreme inequality. Until people get rid of the idea that some people are inherently better than others, these issues will persist.
I think if we stop tolerating inequality and try and fix many problems and recognise some people are disadvantaged by some aspects such as race, gender, disability, sexuality, economic background etc... that is the way to get rid of racism because the structural problems would no longer exist and then it would be a thing of the past.
The problem is that this is unlikely to happen, because humans LIKE inequality and they want it to exist. Some are happy with extreme inequality. Until people get rid of the idea that some people are inherently better than others, these issues will persist.
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