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In reply to the discussion: I, Racist [View all]LWolf
(46,179 posts)36. This is powerful,
and worth reading several times. Here are some pieces that are worth thinking about, and acting on, at least for me:
Black people think in terms of we because we live in a society where the social and political structures interact with us as Black people.
White people do not think in terms of we. White people have the privilege to interact with the social and political structures of our society as individuals. You are you, I am one of them. Whites are often not directly affected by racial oppression even in their own community, so what does not affect them locally has little chance of affecting them regionally or nationally. They have no need, nor often any real desire, to think in terms of a group. They are supported by the system, and so are mostly unaffected by it.
White people do not think in terms of we. White people have the privilege to interact with the social and political structures of our society as individuals. You are you, I am one of them. Whites are often not directly affected by racial oppression even in their own community, so what does not affect them locally has little chance of affecting them regionally or nationally. They have no need, nor often any real desire, to think in terms of a group. They are supported by the system, and so are mostly unaffected by it.
White people and Black people are not having a discussion about race. Black people, thinking as a group, are talking about living in a racist system. White people, thinking as individuals, refuse to talk about I, racist and instead protect their own individual and personal goodness. In doing so, they reject the existence of racism.
But arguing about personal non-racism is missing the point.
Despite what the Charleston Massacre makes things look like, people are dying not because individuals are racist, but because individuals are helping support a racist system by wanting to protect their own non-racist self beliefs.
But arguing about personal non-racism is missing the point.
Despite what the Charleston Massacre makes things look like, people are dying not because individuals are racist, but because individuals are helping support a racist system by wanting to protect their own non-racist self beliefs.
Heres what I want to say to you: Racism is so deeply embedded in this country not because of the racist right-wing radicals who practice it openly, it exists because of the silence and hurt feelings of liberal America.
White people are in a position of power in this country because of racism. The question is: Are they brave enough to use that power to speak against the system that gave it to them?
So Im asking you to help me. Notice this. Speak up. Dont let it slide. Dont stand watching in silence. Help build a world where it never gets to the point where the Samaritan has to see someone bloodied and broken.
So Im asking you to help me. Notice this. Speak up. Dont let it slide. Dont stand watching in silence. Help build a world where it never gets to the point where the Samaritan has to see someone bloodied and broken.
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READ the article, please. Sorry for the yell, am replying to you because you are 1st and hopefully
uppityperson
Jul 2015
#12
again, apologies for the yell. I answered first based on the clip and am glad i read the article
uppityperson
Jul 2015
#16
Back in 1985, I had transferred from Illinois to Durham, NC, because my company was
djean111
Jul 2015
#2
I've lived in the North and the South. The racism I observe in the North has been outright and
Mnemosyne
Jul 2015
#6
Sadly, Carville is not incorrect. The rednecks around here are disturbing, to say the least.
Mnemosyne
Jul 2015
#32
I've lived North pretty much my whole life, was very shocked when I visited the southern
uppityperson
Jul 2015
#11
I was born at the edge of the Adirondack Mts. and I'm not a racist, my brothers and sister aren't our
orpupilofnature57
Jul 2015
#14
interesting reaction. what made you think this has to do with you and your family?
bettyellen
Jul 2015
#17
Because the poster was talking about Family and New York and the fact there is
orpupilofnature57
Jul 2015
#18
Her OP was talking about why it's difficult to talk race. FYI: these "not me!" Responses are another
bettyellen
Jul 2015
#20
At least no one will block me for my opinion Here, your opinion is fuzzy, I hope my " Response " to
orpupilofnature57
Jul 2015
#24