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El_Johns

(1,805 posts)

128. the people who have (some) power? That's what I think is pernicious about this kind of thing.

Thu Jan 9, 2014, 12:25 PM

Jan 2014

Last edited Thu Jan 9, 2014, 01:27 PM - Edit history (1)

Did the populace take a vote on "stop & frisk" in NYC? No, that was Bloomberg's call; he's white, but he's also one of the richest people in the world, & his policies are designed to turn NYC into a playground for the rich.

Anti-racism work used to be about ending the POLICIES that held racism in place. So often these days it seems to be less about that & more about enforcing the construct of "white privilege". But when I ask the enforcers what will change if I buy into this construct, they can't tell me anything specific. "Hopefully you will be more aware" etc.

I'm already aware. My awareness is useless because I'm not the one making or enforcing racist policies, like loser mortgages, stop & frisk, private prisons, etc. I hate all those things, but so what, since outside the major cities there's no MOVEMENT to publicize their ills & end them.

I don

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The problem is that white people see racism as conscious hate [View all] cinnabonbon Jan 2014 OP

Bingo Capt. Obvious Jan 2014 #1

Another problem is that people see racism as implying culpability or guilt. el_bryanto Jan 2014 #2

yes, that is a good point. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #4

If racism is about access, privilege and systematic oppression KurtNYC Jan 2014 #8

I wish I could rec this comment. n/t cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #13

That is a really good video. And makes a lot of sense. nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #22

Excellent video. nt DLevine Jan 2014 #60

Holy Shit.. SomethingFishy Jan 2014 #162

Would that work both ways? firsttimer Jan 2014 #3

It will be here as long as cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #5

No. Shandris Jan 2014 #18

You weren't here cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #109

I meant most people are willing to admit there is a problem with racism. Shandris Jan 2014 #130

Racism doesn't exist because of "belief". It exists because of social practices supported by El_Johns Jan 2014 #105

Exactly. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #108

the people who have (some) power? That's what I think is pernicious about this kind of thing. El_Johns Jan 2014 #128

I was trying to be generous to the white folks who feels stepped on when we talk about privilege. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #129

Bloomberg doesn't act for "whites". He acts for the 1%, and his policies also harm working class El_Johns Jan 2014 #131

Part of the problem drmeow Jan 2014 #9

The difference between racism and prejudice: KurtNYC Jan 2014 #6

Excellent explanation. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #7

The guy who made the video I linked in #8 nails it and takes it on pragmatically KurtNYC Jan 2014 #10

I'm already subscribed to him on youtube. ;) cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #12

"Most white people don't like to hear that they benefit on the backs of others" Number23 Jan 2014 #19

They are the worst. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #24

This is probably one of the most succinct and beautiful sentences I've read here on the subject Number23 Jan 2014 #31

Thank you. I think words are powerful cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #49

Both these posts are great. Thanks for posting this dialogue. n/t freshwest Jan 2014 #104

Racism benefits employers KurtNYC Jan 2014 #25

and sexism, it was fine w/many that women got paid shit when we didn't compete for the same jobs bettyellen Jan 2014 #37

Exactly. In another thread on changing attitudes about college KurtNYC Jan 2014 #67

Which is why it pisses me off so much when people scapegoat "illegals" for declining wages. nomorenomore08 Jan 2014 #56

I look again at the semantics -- we call it "illegal aliens" not "illegal hiring" KurtNYC Jan 2014 #71

And if the illegal hiring was punished harshly, there'd be less illegal aliens 7962 Jan 2014 #132

I think maybe some white folks have a hard time seeing it.. SomethingFishy Jan 2014 #164

Racism is the belief that one race is superior to other races. That is why anyone can be a racist. 7962 Jan 2014 #38

Institutional racism isn't about personal belief. ronnie624 Jan 2014 #126

thanks...very good article noiretextatique Jan 2014 #11

Denial is not just a river in Egypt. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #14

No, it wouldn't be so easy for the to manipulate the working poor... Shandris Jan 2014 #21

You should read this Number23 Jan 2014 #27

It -is- a theory. Shandris Jan 2014 #36

It really is a very simplistic article, I agree with you. 7962 Jan 2014 #40

The fact that some feel under attack doesn't mean that it's a theory. Or that it isn't true Number23 Jan 2014 #41

Okay, I don't think I'm being quite clear enough here because... Shandris Jan 2014 #52

don't forget "teh gay" noiretextatique Jan 2014 #86

so...the rw manipulates poor whites noiretextatique Jan 2014 #85

Americans are kept purposely stupid about wealth inequality in this nation RainDog Jan 2014 #93

thanks, RainDog noiretextatique Jan 2014 #136

... RainDog Jan 2014 #137

right noiretextatique Jan 2014 #151

sorry...that's nonsense noiretextatique Jan 2014 #84

the fact is that there are some racist whites who feel a Black man being President means there is JI7 Jan 2014 #87

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #116

bullshit...again noiretextatique Jan 2014 #152

This is why drmeow Jan 2014 #15

When it all comes down to it cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #34

A *few* decent things here, but there are many, and I do mean *MANY*, issues as well. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #16

You are missing an important bit of information. Maedhros Jan 2014 #35

I'm sorry, but it really doesn't change the fact of the matter. It just doesn't. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #43

America in 1501? seveneyes Jan 2014 #53

might be referring Niceguy1 Jan 2014 #59

I was referring to the predominantly African slave trade in America Maedhros Jan 2014 #62

"America" existed before the United States. [n/t] Maedhros Jan 2014 #61

you mean the Americas? Niceguy1 Jan 2014 #65

Your impression is mistaken. El_Johns Jan 2014 #106

I'm baffled by your motives here. Maedhros Jan 2014 #69

"I'm baffled by your motives here." You shouldn't be, TBH.....no offense. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #73

Misery poker is pathetic [n/t] Maedhros Jan 2014 #75

It's an emotional thing. ronnie624 Jan 2014 #127

what about the rest of the world? Niceguy1 Jan 2014 #58

I'm not following your point. Maedhros Jan 2014 #63

well people talk about the American slave as if it was Niceguy1 Jan 2014 #68

We are somewhat different from Europe when it comes to the slave trade. Maedhros Jan 2014 #74

which would be expected since Niceguy1 Jan 2014 #78

Europeans continued slavery via colonialism RainDog Jan 2014 #89

Perhaps not so much different then. Maedhros Jan 2014 #102

King Leopold's Ghost is a great book RainDog Jan 2014 #103

How about the rest of the Americas, and the Caribbean? Brazil's slave trade was longer & El_Johns Jan 2014 #107

The Nazis used slave labor as well. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #76

On principle I try to avoi saying that one oppression is worse than the other. They're all bad. n/t cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #77

In a sense, you do have a good point. AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #79

Fair enough. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #81

Exactly! Blue_Roses Jan 2014 #150

Welcome to DU LittleBlue Jan 2014 #17

Thanks! cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #20

There are many here who are quick to go after newcomers neffernin Jan 2014 #47

Ah, okay. That's good to know. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #54

Hard to believe that a jury let this really obvious attempt at thread trolling go 3-3 Number23 Jan 2014 #23

I think I missed something. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #26

Don't worry about it. Someone's just trying to accuse you of something and distract from the Number23 Jan 2014 #28

Why am I not surprised that someone would feel like they'd have to cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #30

Good jury, then LittleBlue Jan 2014 #29

LOL I'll save my thank you's for the ones who saw through what you were trying to do Number23 Jan 2014 #32

I've been here 3 yrs and have no idea whats being pointed out/denied. Help. 7962 Jan 2014 #44

I think that person was trying to insinuate that the OP was a disruptor. Particularly as they post Number23 Jan 2014 #46

I feel very ignorant for assuming HOF meant Hall of Fame neffernin Jan 2014 #48

Thanks. HOF threw me! 7962 Jan 2014 #55

You're welcome (I was juror #4): Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #125

That's a pretty obnoxious comment. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #83

You know what cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #112

You're welcome. n/t Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #118

That's just a tad obnoxious Capt. Obvious Jan 2014 #123

rec Demo_Chris Jan 2014 #33

great post, and sorely needed here... bettyellen Jan 2014 #39

Racism is racism no matter how you cut it. It has caused people to murder. I told people in my Lint Head Jan 2014 #42

try interracial dating.... Niceguy1 Jan 2014 #72

Yes it does. What some people don't get is that the prefix of rascism is race. Any race. Lint Head Jan 2014 #92

I was just told by another poster that blacks can only be racist against other blacks 7962 Jan 2014 #147

Definition, rac·ism. Lint Head Jan 2014 #149

That is very good cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #113

Rec'd! nt babylonsister Jan 2014 #45

I look forward to the day that this is behind us and color truly becomes skin deep neffernin Jan 2014 #50

Me too! cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #51

Americans are weird on this topic.... Spitfire of ATJ Jan 2014 #57

America is a racist, sexist, classist culture. RainDog Jan 2014 #64

"The reality is the wealth of the western world was built on the backs of slaves." cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #80

Great post but a hair off, the avarice is biggest and deepest problem TheKentuckian Jan 2014 #98

Oh goody. 99Forever Jan 2014 #66

when white guys have talked about their hardships RainDog Jan 2014 #70

how about a white responsibility thread? noiretextatique Jan 2014 #88

That is too bad. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #114

"The real conversation?" 99Forever Jan 2014 #119

That is your prerogative cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #120

Hogwash. 99Forever Jan 2014 #138

It's about the way systemic racism impacts perceptions of groups RainDog Jan 2014 #140

If you're a white person you know the history of western imperialism cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #141

Mission accomplished. 99Forever Jan 2014 #142

If you were only interested in your own feelings cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #143

You assume a whole... 99Forever Jan 2014 #144

No. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #145

But you could also talk about Asian imperialism, Muslim imperialism, etc 7962 Jan 2014 #148

Excellent OP malaise Jan 2014 #82

Completely agree. I can attest to the validity of this. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #90

Orwell - 1984 - Doublespeak Glassunion Jan 2014 #91

Yours is about the only good post on racism I've seen here. Wish it has its own thread. KentuckyWoman Jan 2014 #97

Awesome. redgreenandblue Jan 2014 #111

Honestly, this is one of the most best-written and well thought out replies I've seen............... AverageJoe90 Jan 2014 #165

is there some new slang meaning for the word "ratchet"? hfojvt Jan 2014 #94

yes, there is, it's a new way of saying "ghetto", but i think they misused it. dionysus Jan 2014 #158

Racism... MellowDem Jan 2014 #95

Those pesky white people. KentuckyWoman Jan 2014 #96

I'm genuinley saddened cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #115

K&R Solly Mack Jan 2014 #99

There is no such thing as 'reverse racism' AgingAmerican Jan 2014 #100

raicsm is thinking that you deserve more simply because of the colour of your skin politicman Jan 2014 #101

it goes even further than that. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #110

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #121

It goes deeper - TBF Jan 2014 #117

Very good explanation of the situation we have today. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #122

+1000 Starry Messenger Jan 2014 #124

"someone with a different color skin and keeping them at an economic disadvantage." Nuclear Unicorn Jan 2014 #155

I hear you and I've thought TBF Jan 2014 #156

Your point, any race can be racist, is something many forget. Or wont admit. 7962 Jan 2014 #133

Blacks can be racist against blacks athena Jan 2014 #139

You gotta be kidding me. So a white guy who's discriminated against should just go work elsewhere?? 7962 Jan 2014 #146

This: AgingAmerican Jan 2014 #134

Maybe I'm reading you wrong cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #135

I'm saying it's racist period AgingAmerican Jan 2014 #153

In this OP cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #154

You have a very narrow definition of racism AgingAmerican Jan 2014 #157

Very wide. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #159

You completely missed what I said AgingAmerican Jan 2014 #160

and you missed what I said, apparently. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #161

You seem to believe that all racism is about 'white' people. AgingAmerican Jan 2014 #163

here, I'll ask you one more question and then we can part as friends. cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #166

what country did this person grow up in? noiretextatique Jan 2014 #167

To be honest cinnabonbon Jan 2014 #169

Agree. ananda Jan 2014 #168