Just
boosting the signal on the topical subject, the recent racefail in the Supernatural/J2 Big Bang.
From one privileged white girl to another -
elizah_jane talks about the importance of elucidating racism.
Like Clockwork -
amonitrate talks about why the subject material is problematic and why this must be discussed
(
Read more... )
Comments 57
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
So, the two books are Autobiography of a Blue-Eyed Devil by Inga Muscio, and The Heart of Whiteness by Robert Jensen. They're both by white people who are seriously legit. I could probably list about a dozen more books you should read, but those two are the ones I was told to start with and I like passing on good advice. No pressure, but if you do decide to check them out lemme know! I'd be interested to hear what you think. ♥
Reply
Reply
ALSO, I can't believe I forgot to link this: White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. That essay is really well-known and pretty short, but it's excellent. And online!
Um, I'll shut up and go away now before I get annoying. XD
[Edited for clarity]
Reply
Honestly, 'unpacking' the things that demonstrate white privilege makes me feel as though I have proper ground to stand on and work from. Of course I'm sure I'll make many more fail statements/fics/etc, but this is certainly a start in understanding my circumstances and the circumstances of others.
Reply
I tend to use the word 'latent', if that sits any better with you.
Reply
Reply
I'm trying to think of a polite way to say this, but none of this should ever be about how badly racism sucks for privileged people. Ever.
Edited because I misread something, but sentiment remains the same. It was a kneejerk reaction because I've seen way too many people being butthurt over being called racist recently, like it's the worst insult in the world.
Reply
Okay.
A) "Racist" is not an identity, it's a behavior. If you are being a racist, you can stop. It doesn't make you a bad person, just like sideswiping somebody's car because you were on your cell phone doesn't make you a bad person. What makes you a bad person is gunning the motor and racing away, instead of pulling over to exchange information and pay for the damages.
B) "Racist" is not an insult, it is a specific and relevant adjective. It is not like being called n***** or ch*** or any number of other epithets. It is not an attack on your whiteness, not that such an 'attack' could possibly hurt you as much as you like to imagine it would, or as much as whatever you did may have hurt somebody else ( ... )
Reply
For me this entire thing is like a slap to my stupid white cheek. I used to be all 'man those Politically Correct kids are too politically correct! They need to loosen up!' And now I understand the PC kids knew where it was at.
Reply
Can I ask an honest question about this? Because this both confuses and bothers me.
The one time I was called racist in my life, I was asking a young, black teenage boy to sit down and do his work (I'm a teacher). He retorted that I was 'picking on him because he was Black'. Now, as a teacher I expect my students to sit in their seat and complete their assignments. I was not letting anyone else get away with this. The student was being disruptive. How does this make me racist?
I'm not asking to be smart or anything. I'm honestly trying to understand.
Reply
Reply
For God's sake, don't go talking about the subject with PoC, because they deal with it every day and they don't need you telling them about your internal struggle. What they deal with is much worse than anything we might feel about being racist.
I'm glad this post made you think, because that's what it's intended to do. Good luck! :)
A great link for further self-education.
Reply
Also what's the PoC?
Reply
PoC = People of color. I am told this is the terminology that people who are not white have chosen to identify themselves by, and therefore the politically correct term.
Reply
Leave a comment