General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Wypipo Poll [View all]Caliman73
(11,760 posts)The prevailing reasoning, in your view, is that Black people are permitted to use derogatory terms against White people. Just as in the view of some people, affirmative action programs were an "unfair advantage" for people of color who did not deserve the opportunity to attend university because they had the bad luck of being born to a discriminated against minority. I can understand that the term "wypipo" is offensive to some, but what power does it have? What power do people of color have in this country to use the term to change a White person's life an any way?
Is the reverse then just as permissible and should not be seen as divisive, and accepted without objection... yes... no?
The reverse has been permitted throughout history. It is called the history of the United States. Only 150 years ago Black people were considered property. Only since 1971, two years before I was born, it was legal for States to not allow people of color to marry White people. Only 50 or so years ago, States could legally put special obstacles up against people of color in housing, employment, voting, and the use of public facilities. Some of those protections were taken away Federally in the past years and the States quickly began putting those barriers back up. So, laws have changed to protect historically vulnerable populations, but attitudes have not changed as quickly. The president has a history of discrimination against people of color and a history of racial antagonism, yet there he is.
Instead of introspection or asking people of color WHY a term like that might be used, there is assumption, defensiveness, and dismissal. People want to be spoon fed in ways that will not offend any of their preconceived notions.