Joy Reid: Shouldn't white people be offended that Trump thinks they're so racist that

[StarfishSaver]

the only way for him to win is to be racist?

Excellent question.

I'm really glad to see so many white people on Democratic Underground holler about Trump's racism. We need more of that. This isn't something that should be left to people of color to draw attention to. The more white people who say loudly, "Awww HELL no!" the more likely we are to overcome this man's toxic hate.

I hope you're not just venting online (although that helps, too), but are also a screaming to the rooftops against this in real life, in your communities, to your friends, families, neighbors and co-workers.

We have a racist in the White House. And if anyone who's still supporting him is likely a racist, too. And if they're not, they shouldn't be offended if they're mistaken for one because, at this point, it's impossible to tell them apart.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Unfortunately, for some people racism isn't a bug, it's a feature.

Some white people aren't offended at all by Trump's racism because they agree with it and share it. They'll get all offended if you call them racists directly and make some dumb-ass, insulting excuse for their attitude ("I'm not racist; I have black/Hispanic/Muslim friends" or "It's not racist to talk about what those people are like, I'm just telling the truth," etc.), but there is some pretty significant percentage of voters, who, whether or not they are willing to admit it, are racist to their bones and like what Trump has to say about PoC and non-white immigrants.

But that just means the rest of us have to object even more loudly.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

6. you've described my neighbors

They always manage to find 1 example with which to condemn an entire race, country, religion, or sex. Somehow, though, white, right-wing terrorists are always exceptions.

Talking sense to them is like yelling at clouds.

[DBoon]

29. I think some of them spend their lives collecting these examples

Stories that start with "I know a black guy at work ..." and end badly

[onecaliberal]

2. Dump is pathetic and disgusting.

I yell about it here, at work, in my personal life on the streets with my fellows and at the ballot box

[Arkansas Granny]

3. But the racists don't think, or won't admit, that they're racist and they don't see

Trump's remarks as racist. They accuse Democrats of playing the race card when they call attention to them.

I am reminded of a statement my former father-in-law made back in the 70"s. He claimed that he was not prejudiced because he had known some good ni**gers. He truly believed this. He had no hatred of black people, just a deeply ingrained belief that they were inferior to whites.

There are many who still feel that way and they are not all located in the South. That attitude applies to any race, religion or nationality that they see as different.

[standingtall]

4. I think many white Trump voters either don't know or cannot admit to themselves they have a problem

with race. Which why it doesn't matter to them what Trump says or does they can always rationalize with themselves how they don't feel their racist for supporting him.

[Tom Rinaldo]

5. Yes, but I'm much more depressed that People of Color have the burden of discerning...

...White people who are actual allies from; White people who suffer from some ingrained not totally conscious prejudices from; White people who are consciously racist. I can't even imagine the daily toll of stress that comes with having to constantly make that assessment about White strangers on the fly.

[StarfishSaver]

7. Yes

And not just the burden of having to constantly discern, but having to decide how to respond to it in a split-second in real time while still trying to do whatever it is we're actually doing, knowing that no matter what we do, we'll be criticized for it ("Why did you let that happen? Why didn't you speak up/do something? Why did you overreact/make this about race/play the race card?".)

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. Yes

I suspect in some cases remaining open can possibly help facilitate a small moment of racial healing, which god knows this nation needs, but at the same time that leaves you open to deeper wounding, which god knows People of Color experience far too much of.

I must admit that when I am interacting with a Person of Color who I do not personally know I look for subtle simple non condescending or patronizing ways to signal as effectively as I can that I am trying not to be part of the problem. Usually I look for an opening to initiate some simple positive small talk. I hate racism, I hate it.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

8. A lot of white people don't think they're racist. And even if their thoughts or behaviors could be

seen as racist, they don't believe they are, because they aren't out there in KKK hoods or actively saying the n-word to someone's face. What some people see as racism, others see as "telling it like it is" or "speaking the hard truths." And then of course some people don't give a shit if they're considered racist.

[cally]

9. This is dangerous!!

While I agree somewhat, it’s what they want. I’m white and discuss this with my white friends. We are appalled that there is a presumption that if you you are white you would support racist beliefs. If we buy into that, we start inadvertently putting social pressure on whites in many places and situations to not speak up, stand up, and work towards change because the common belief is most whites are racist and support racist in chief.

We have to believe and expect better. I still believe that most of us want a united country and we cannot allow them to tear us apart. We have to speak up and work towards equality.

This is not to say that I know it must be horrible to reasonably expect that most white people are racist because we are finding out we are. Still, as someone who has studied and worked for social change, beliefs in a common norms are critical for social change. We cannot let a belief in a common norm takeover that it is OK to be racist because it is the norm.

[BeyondGeography]

11. You do realize this is Trump's political terrain of choice, right?

See Ayanna Pressley’s Don’t Take the Bait speech for clarity.

[Traildogbob]

13. White

And what's up with all these birds of color? Freakin yellow, kinda yellow, brown, blue , kinda blue, red, kinda red, black and own and on. Hell, even male and females vary of the same species. Damn female birds are racists. Can't even wear your color proudly like the males. And like the famous movie quote, "where the white birds"? I know, it was "where the white girls". But it fits. God sent Noah a white dove to repopulate the world with white birds. Damn colored birds, go back to your shit hole countries. Besides, our air, water and fruits are poison. From white folk.

[patphil]

12. The only true white people are albinos.

All of us supposedly white people are really sort of, well...light beige.
The test:
Hold up a fresh sheet of paper from your printer against you skin.
See the difference?
We white folks have been lying to ourselves for centuries!
When will we ever learn?

Patrick Phillips

[bsiebs]

18. Same goes for Black people...

Hold up a sheet of black paper against your skin, there is likely a difference there as well... it is such a stupid thing we do to compartmentalize each other... it is instinctual, but it would be nice if we were able to grow out of it.

[patphil]

20. I fully agree.

We need to stop magnifying and emphasizing our differences.
If we put the same energies we use on this to embraces our similarities, and collective needs, we could solve a lot of this nation's problems.
It is indeed time to grow up.

Patrick Phillips

[cilla4progress]

14. I work in the court system helping self-represented parties,

and I see it systemically and on an individual basis.

A current client, a gentleman who immigrated here from Latin America 20 years ago, has an accent difficult for N. Americans to understand, and who has brown skin, was described at his divorce trial by his wife and her friends as being scary, with a creepy voice, and a propensity for violence.

He is one of the most gentle, dignified, courteous, genuine , appreciative clients I've worked with.

Painful to see his hurt.

[Roy Rolling]

15. What makes her say many white people aren't?

What white people are she complaining about? She isn’t saying “black people should control other white people “ or “Muslims should police other Muslims”, is she?

Because I know millions of white people who are offended and maybe such a sweeping generalization isn’t a valid observation, and more of an accusation.

Color me disappointed.

[Scarsdale]

16. When Trayvon Martin was killed,

I wondered how it must feel to be the parent of a black teenager. Afraid to let them go to the store in case a nut case shows up and shoots them for no reason. Being a parent is no easy job, but being the parent of a black teen has to be stressful beyond anything else. My children went to schools in a diverse community, everyone got along most of the time. Sure, there were some fights, but I do not remember any of them using the "n" word or saying racist things. None of their friends did, either. Everyone accepted everyone else, the way it should be.

[58Sunliner]

17. Then Joy knows how I feel about her homophobia, and anyone who defends her.

I know, she saved her show by mouthing an apology. Yes, we have a racist , a rapist, a molester, a traitor, etc... I didn't need Joy to point that out. And if Joy thinks people aren't offended, she is not paying attention. Disingenuous.

[progressoid]

34. Indeed. n/t

[IronLionZion]

19. Many Trumpers have embraced it and openly mock liberals for being triggered

If you know any Trumpsters personally, they'll spew all sorts of racist and misogynist nonsense hoping you'll get offended so they can insult you for being a weak liberal snowflake

[patphil]

22. Snow flakes are beautiful.

And, they can transform from snow to ice, to water, to water vapor, and rain.
The true substance of a snow flake, water, is very resilient. It is also needed by all life. It nurtures life, allows it to grow
As much of 60% of the human body is water.
A snow flake is just a special state of water...a wondrous and beautiful expression of the life force in water.
So, when someone calls you a snow flake, understand it is actually a compliment.
They're just to ignorant to realize it.

Patrick Phillips

[KentuckyWoman]

21. White people

Must be the hit of the day... 60 blanket threads about "white people" today...

Yes, yes, you are correct .. we are all exactly the same.

Sigh....

Allowed to stand on DU.... and I am not at all shocked...

[StarfishSaver]

24. I don't understand why you find my OP objectionable

The last few days there have been numerous OPs referring to "blacks," "black voters," "black Dems," etc. Did you alert on those or challenge them in any other way?

I only see two OPs about "white people" posted today. Where did you see the 60 blanket threads you referenced?

[KentuckyWoman]

26. Yes

I alert on every one I see. Black, white, old, young, whatever. Blanket anything is just silly.

It isn't you personally. I"m just sick of this and expect better from progressives.

I get that you don't understand. We'll have to agree to disagree.

[StarfishSaver]

31. I'm surprised you have time to post or read anything since all this alerting must keep you very busy

Just those 60 threads you say referring to white people you say we're posted today would take quite a bit of time to alert.

But I still don't see those 60 threads you're talking about. Can you link to 10-15 of them?

[Dr Hobbitstein]

25. Good job missing the point.

[KentuckyWoman]

28. haha

Yes, you did.

[Turin_C3PO]

27. Yeah, we white folks sure are oppressed here at DU.

[Kurt V.]

23. i have to do this all the time in rural Missouri, face to face, eyes to eyes. i do this

without losing thier attention which can be the tricky part. but i have standing in my community and acknowledge it may not be so easy for others.

[Retrograde]

30. Some of us ARE offended

Some of us remember that our grandparents weren't all that different from the immigrants and refugees Trump slams.

[guillaumeb]

32. Supporting a known racist makes a person an enabler.

In my mind, there is no real difference between a racist and one who supports a known racist.

[MadDAsHell]

33. Problem is so few care about the label anymore. They're probably more PROUD than offended by it.

And therein lies the problem. We're still using the old model that assumes that people desperately avoid putting themselves in a position where they'll be labeled something like racist.

But there are tens of millions of our fellow Americans who long ago stopped caring about such labels, and Drumpf has only emboldened that resolve to not care.

I see so much confusion in our party as to why the labels aren't working. It's because THEY DON'T CARE about them and haven't for a long time.

While some would argue that we live in an era of political correctness where no one can be honest about what they really feel, I would argue the opposite. Never before has it been easier to get away with saying just about anything, because the news cycle will have something drowning out the controversy within a day or two. Ralph Northam would have resigned within 24 hours under the old model. Under this model not only did he not resign, he'll probably be re-elected.

Trump has taught us that you can be labeled just about anything and it really doesn't affect your political career, so why should politicians care about the labels?

[ck4829]

35. K&R