Dr. Robin DiAngelo explains why white people implode when talking about race.
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I am white. I have spent years studying what it means to be white in a society that proclaims race meaningless, yet is deeply divided by race. This is what I have learned: Any white person living in the United States will develop opinions about race simply by swimming in the water of our culture. But mainstream sources—schools, textbooks, media—don’t provide us with the multiple perspectives we need.
Yes, we will develop strong emotionally laden opinions, but they will not be informed opinions. Our socialization renders us racially illiterate. When you add a lack of humility to that illiteracy (because we don’t know what we don’t know), you get the break-down we so often see when trying to engage white people in meaningful conversations about race.
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Yes, we will develop strong emotionally laden opinions, but they will not be informed opinions. Our socialization renders us racially illiterate.
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Mainstream dictionary definitions reduce racism to individual racial prejudice and the intentional actions that result. The people that commit these intentional acts are deemed bad, and those that don’t are good.
If we are against racism and unaware of committing racist acts, we can’t be racist; racism and being a good person have become mutually exclusive. But this definition does little to explain how racial hierarchies are consistently reproduced.
Social scientists understand racism as a multidimensional and highly adaptive system—a system that ensures an unequal distribution of resources between racial groups. Because whites built and dominate all significant institutions, (often at the expense of and on the uncompensated labor of other groups), their interests are embedded in the foundation of U.S. society.
While individual whites may be against racism, they still benefit from the distribution of resources controlled by their group. Yes, an individual person of color can sit at the tables of power, but the overwhelming majority of decision-makers will be white.
Yes, white people can have problems and face barriers, but systematic racism won’t be one of them. This distinction—between individual prejudice and a system of unequal institutionalized racial power—is fundamental. One cannot understand how racism functions in the U.S. today if one ignores group power relations.
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We have organized society to reproduce and reinforce our racial interests and perspectives. Further, we are centered in all matters deemed normal, universal, benign, neutral and good.
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This systemic and institutional control allows those of us who are white in North America to live in a social environment that protects and insulates us from race-based stress.
We have organized society to reproduce and reinforce our racial interests and perspectives. Further, we are centered in all matters deemed normal, universal, benign, neutral and good.
Thus, we move through a wholly racialized world with an unracialized identity (e.g. white people can represent all of humanity, people of color can only represent their racial selves).
Challenges to this identity become highly stressful and even intolerable. The following are examples of the kinds of challenges that trigger racial stress for white people:
- Suggesting that a white person’s viewpoint comes from a racialized frame of reference (challenge to objectivity);
- People of color talking directly about their own racial perspectives (challenge to white taboos on talking openly about race);
- People of color choosing not to protect the racial feelings of white people in regards to race (challenge to white racial expectations and need/entitlement to racial comfort);
- People of color not being willing to tell their stories or answer questions about their racial experiences (challenge to the expectation that people of color will serve us);
- A fellow white not providing agreement with one’s racial perspective (challenge to white solidarity);
- Receiving feedback that one’s behavior had a racist impact (challenge to white racial innocence);
- Suggesting that group membership is significant (challenge to individualism);
- An acknowledgment that access is unequal between racial groups (challenge to meritocracy);
- Being presented with a person of color in a position of leadership (challenge to white authority);
- Being presented with information about other racial groups through, for example, movies in which people of color drive the action but are not in stereotypical roles, or multicultural education (challenge to white centrality).
Not often encountering these challenges, we withdraw, defend, cry, argue, minimize, ignore, and in other ways push back to regain our racial position and equilibrium. I term that push back white fragility.
This concept came out of my on-going experience leading discussions on race, racism, white privilege and white supremacy with primarily white audiences. It became clear over time that white people have extremely low thresholds for enduring any discomfort associated with challenges to our racial worldviews.
We can manage the first round of challenge by ending the discussion through platitudes—usually something that starts with “People just need to,” or “Race doesn’t really have any meaning to me,” or “Everybody’s racist.” Scratch any further on that surface, however, and we fall apart.
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It became clear over time that white people have extremely low thresholds for enduring any discomfort associated with challenges to our racial worldviews.
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Socialized into a deeply internalized sense of superiority and entitlement that we are either not consciously aware of or can never admit to ourselves, we become highly fragile in conversations about race.
We experience a challenge to our racial worldview as a challenge to our very identities as good, moral people. It also challenges our sense of rightful place in the hierarchy. Thus, we perceive any attempt to connect us to the system of racism as a very unsettling and unfair moral offense.
The following patterns make it difficult for white people to understand racism as a system and lead to the dynamics of white fragility. While they do not apply to every white person, they are well-documented overall:
Segregation: Most whites live, grow, play, learn, love, work and die primarily in social and geographic racial segregation. Yet, our society does not teach us to see this as a loss. Pause for a moment and consider the magnitude of this message: We lose nothing of value by having no cross-racial relationships.
In fact, the whiter our schools and neighborhoods are, the more likely they are to be seen as “good.” The implicit message is that there is no inherent value in the presence or perspectives of people of Color. This is an example of the relentless messages of white superiority that circulate all around us, shaping our identities and worldviews.
The Good/Bad Binary: The most effective adaptation of racism over time is the idea that racism is conscious bias held by mean people. If we are not aware of having negative thoughts about people of color, don’t tell racist jokes, are nice people, and even have friends of color, then we cannot be racist.
Thus, a person is either racist or not racist; if a person is racist, that person is bad; if a person is not racist, that person is good. Although racism does of course occur in individual acts, these acts are part of a larger system that we all participate in. The focus on individual incidences prevents the analysis that is necessary in order to challenge this larger system. The good/bad binary is the fundamental misunderstanding driving white defensiveness about being connected to racism. We simply do not understand how socialization and implicit bias work.
Individualism: Whites are taught to see themselves as individuals, rather than as part of a racial group. Individualism enables us to deny that racism is structured into the fabric of society. This erases our history and hides the way in which wealth has accumulated over generations and benefits us, as a group, today.
It also allows us to distance ourselves from the history and actions of our group. Thus we get very irate when we are “accused” of racism, because as individuals, we are “different” from other white people and expect to be seen as such; we find intolerable any suggestion that our behavior or perspectives are typical of our group as a whole.
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In fact, the whiter our schools and neighborhoods are, the more likely they are to be seen as “good.” The implicit message is that there is no inherent value in the presence or perspectives of people of Color.
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Entitlement to racial comfort: In the dominant position, whites are almost always racially comfortable and thus have developed unchallenged expectations to remain so. We have not had to build tolerance for racial discomfort and thus when racial discomfort arises, whites typically respond as if something is “wrong,” and blame the person or event that triggered the discomfort (usually a person of color).
This blame results in a socially-sanctioned array of responses towards the perceived source of the discomfort, including: penalization; retaliation; isolation and refusal to continue engagement. Since racism is necessarily uncomfortable in that it is oppressive, white insistence on racial comfort guarantees racism will not be faced except in the most superficial of ways.
Racial Arrogance: Most whites have a very limited understanding of racism because we have not been trained to think in complex ways about it and because it benefits white dominance not to do so. Yet, we have no compunction about debating the knowledge of people who have thought complexly about race. Whites generally feel free to dismiss these informed perspectives rather than have the humility to acknowledge that they are unfamiliar, reflect on them further, or seek more information.
Racial Belonging: White people enjoy a deeply internalized, largely unconscious sense of racial belonging in U.S. society. In virtually any situation or image deemed valuable in dominant society, whites belong. The interruption of racial belonging is rare and thus destabilizing and frightening to whites and usually avoided.
Psychic freedom: Because race is constructed as residing in people of color, whites don’t bear the social burden of race. We move easily through our society without a sense of ourselves as racialized. Race is for people of color to think about—it is what happens to “them”—they can bring it up if it is an issue for them (although if they do, we can dismiss it as a personal problem, the race card, or the reason for their problems). This allows whites much more psychological energy to devote to other issues and prevents us from developing the stamina to sustain attention on an issue as charged and uncomfortable as race.
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Because race is constructed as residing in people of color, whites don’t bear the social burden of race. We move easily through our society without a sense of ourselves as racialized.
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Constant messages that we are more valuable: Living in a white dominant context, we receive constant messages that we are better and more important than people of color.
For example: our centrality in history textbooks, historical representations and perspectives; our centrality in media and advertising; our teachers, role-models, heroes and heroines; everyday discourse on “good” neighborhoods and schools and who is in them; popular TV shows centered around friendship circles that are all white; religious iconography that depicts God, Adam and Eve, and other key figures as white.
While one may explicitly reject the notion that one is inherently better than another, one cannot avoid internalizing the message of white superiority, as it is ubiquitous in mainstream culture.
These privileges and the white fragility that results prevent us from listening to or comprehending the perspectives of people of color and bridging cross-racial divides. The antidote to white fragility is on-going and life-long, and includes sustained engagement, humility, and education. We can begin by:
- Being willing to tolerate the discomfort associated with an honest appraisal and discussion of our internalized superiority and racial privilege.
- Challenging our own racial reality by acknowledging ourselves as racial beings with a particular and limited perspective on race.
- Attempting to understand the racial realities of people of color through authentic interaction rather than through the media or unequal relationships.
- Taking action to address our own racism, the racism of other whites, and the racism embedded in our institutions—e.g., get educated and act.
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The antidote to white fragility is on-going and life-long, and includes sustained engagement, humility, and education.
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“Getting it” when it comes to race and racism challenges our very identities as good white people. It’s an ongoing and often painful process of seeking to uncover our socialization at its very roots.
It asks us to rebuild this identity in new and often uncomfortable ways. But I can testify that it is also the most exciting, powerful, intellectually stimulating and emotionally fulfilling journey I have ever undertaken. It has impacted every aspect of my life—personal and professional.
I have a much deeper and more complex understanding of how society works. I can challenge much more racism in my daily life, and I have developed cherished and fulfilling cross-racial friendships I did not have before.
I do not expect racism to end in my lifetime, and I know that I continue to have problematic racist patterns and perspectives. Yet, I am also confident that I do less harm to people of color than I used to. This is not a minor point of growth, for it impacts my lived experience and that of the people of color who interact with me. If you are white I urge you to take the first step—let go of your racial certitude and reach for humility.
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Read more Of Dr. DiAngelo’s insights into racism.
White Fragility and the Question of Trust
White Fragility and the Rules of Engagement
White Women’s Tears and the Men Who Love Them
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Photo: iStock
Great ideas.
I think racism exists because people do not love each other. If loving was in our lives, we could see how stupid is making our differences a motive to separate instead of reinforce how good we can be together.
Happy “to be” in Boulder again.
This is a very pensive work; the explanations and clarification of groups, subgroups, etc…, are readily understandable.
That moment when you strongly react to something you read and yet you fail to realise the writer is actually a woman. #poorwhiteyman
I do not understand why people always have to distinguish the white man and the black man? Are not all people equal?
Interesting to see the white fragility you reference in your article playing out in the comments. I hear you. Thanks for sharing.
The author specifically states “some” throughout the article, so people like Paul Olivetti who reads this as “all” whites my granddad had an old saying, “it’s the hit dog that hollers”.
A simple textual search of the article shows that the word “some” in fact does not show up in the document even once.
Putting all whites in one box is as racist a thing to do as any other. This racist author has some self-reflection to do.
The author specifically states “some” throughout the article, so people like Paul Olivetti who reads this as “all” whites my granddad had an old saying, “it’s the hit dog that hollers”.
I’m pretty sure some people haven’t actually read the article, or they are flat out missing the irony of doing exactly what the article says you do when the subject of race comes up. It’s like built-in examples to supplement the article.
I know, right? Like the perfect illustration of white fragility.
omg so true… thankful their are some sane people here!
An excellent read, thank u ….and an invaluable contribution to our world 🌎 🙏
Considering the lay of the land of white Republicans in our politics, I don’t trust most of them. There’s no good reason to trust them. And I don’t believe I could have any sensible dialogue with them about racism. Do you?
If the person of color that I begin the conversation with about racism is constantly into blaming white people for everything, there is no room for me to have a dialogue. Unless I listen and not say anything and just allow all of the blame to come out and then perhaps we can have a dialogue. Or maybe that was all the dialogue that was going to happen. The person of color was allowed to blame white people like myself for all of the wrongs that have been placed on them by systematic rule of racism in our culture. How… Read more »
I feel it’s a losing debate because you’re not going to solve their belief that the system is rigged. You don’t have the power for that. I’ve had conversations with White who tell me “black people do it to themselves” Which to me is akin to telling each and every black man killed by an officer’s bullet “if you would have just complied you’d still be alive.” So the root is to comply means and IS something completely different for each. So (hope I can tie this in) if you want to have this dialogue you are going to have… Read more »
Good advice. Ive witnessed conversations about racism in a predominantly white and very liberal class in college and I often thought if I were black I would be offended. On the other hand I found myself inexperienced in debating the subject.
The issue is that this is 2022 not 1922. In 1922 the majority in this country were white supremacists and/or separatists. Today, racism still exists but most of the families of those old white supremacists have died off, moved away, intermingled, or changed their core beliefs about race and there is evidence for this everywhere. Still, we live in a country where people are being told that they should be able to “live their truth” and “listen when X group speaks,” yet folks that say that they’re not racist are being told that they probably mean well, but they’re liars… Read more »
Dude, the system IS rigged. It looks, though, as you are falling into the trap that Wright outlined above, confusing Racism with ‘bad’, and non-Racism as ‘good’. She has separated the terms ‘Racist’ and ‘Racism’, or, if you like, given an additional definition to ‘Racism’. ‘Racist’ is the conscious act of manifesting prejudice based on race. ‘Racism’, in her context, is the systemic manifestation of privilege for the dominant race group. In the United States, this is White people. In other places in the world, such as Zimbabwe or Malaysia, it is a different Racial group. As such, in the… Read more »
I read the whole comment, but you reiterated the problem in the first sentence. “…it’s a losing debate, and you’re not going to solve their belief that the system is rigged.” The media and the government are not going to solve it either. They will continue to throw gas on the fire as they always have to keep captive the votes of black people who they systematically brainwash into thinking they need democrats to help them. Perhaps we need more good black leaders that can dialogue with each other on what the challenges are and what is going on. This… Read more »
Sheri, they’re not blaming you specifically. Your quickness to judge their genuine attempt at dialogue as “blaming” is explained in the article. The author is not a PoC but is a white educator on race relations who has received many responses like yours. And so, if you do not believe the author was blaming white people such as yourself, then ask yourself why you would feel that way coming from ask PoC who has trusted you to actually attempt this dialogue.
Hi! What I’m speaking about is having an actual dialgoue in the street with someone who is constantly blaming whites for it all and won’t change their mind. How is it possible to have a dialogue? Best to walk away. And being part of the talks on “Racism on the phone and online through the GMP is a much safer space to begin for me and to listen and learn.
Sherri, if the person is stubbornly sticking to their guns, then maybe they have some prior experience which has made them stubborn. The person might be very suspicious of you and is apprehensive about sharing a dialogue with you which will open up old wounds. Recognize that their feelings are real even if what their feelings are based on does not apply to you. Simply say, “I understand this can be difficult and painful to talk about. I’m sorry if I’ve caused you some discomfort. I meant well and am trying to learn. If this is not the right time… Read more »
I’ve asked dozens of black residents of San Diego about racism and not one has responded like this. Not even close. They’re actually pretty candid about it. (San Diego is a pretty racist city, argue what you may)
But you’re not allowed to have an opinion Sherri, because you’re “white” (whatever that even means in this multicultural society). We’ve learned that white people suck and have nothing valuable to contribute because of their skin color.
What a horribly ignorant thing to say to a supposed ally. I’m out of this mean spirited discussion
Paul, that is not true and that is showing your white fragility. You are offended at this because it has penetrated your white fog! Read more about this and maybe you’ll be enlightened.
Your awesome and get it.. so refreshing
It’s hilarious reading the naysayers of this article. Their responses range from total misunderstanding of the most fundamental and basic concepts presented, claiming the article says things it clearly does not say, not seeming to even understand what the word “racism” even means, and the classic strawman rhetoric meant to discredit the writer so they don’t have to respond to what is actually stated and still be “right”. Not to mention that rhetoric running so strong and so blind that some even called her a minority male when she clearly states she is a white female. Poor education and comprehension,… Read more »
Nobody wants to talk with white people. They want to scream at us and have us feel sorry for them because they aren’t white. How ridiculous! I doubt the author is ‘white’ but more (((white)))
Fragile white person alert!
What garbage. I bet more people of color have been inadvertantly crushed by your enourmous whiteness. You spent all that money to become a doctor, just so you can write overly-winded articles of high school caliber. You’re just looking for internet points. Good job, you got the attention you were looking for.
Fragile white person alert!
All bluster, no substance. Cultural Marxists love to whine about institutionalized racism, bias, inherent flaws in a system that has made American culture the dominant on the planet. This type of insidiousness has wormed it’s way into academia, and now is starting to spill over into the broader culture. Essentially idiots like the author of this piece want to perpetuate a permanent victim class. It’s PoC against white. Men against women. Gay vs Straight. Transgender vs Cis. No progress will ever be made, no problems will ever be solved. Instead we have the new original sins. Born white? Racist for… Read more »
That’s what I’m seeing all over the place. Establishing an ever present nigh unbeatable boogeyman in order to justify ever increasing forms of “justice”. Its no longer “there are some men that learned bad behaviors that need to be stopped” its now “men by default and definition are learning bad behaviors and masculinity itself must be completely overhauled to center around everyone except men themselves in order to fix it”. For example notice that its “teach men not to rape” rather than “teach rapists not to rape”. For another notice that wanting an accused rapist to be able to defend… Read more »
Fragile white person alert! And this one thinks it’s thinking.
Your detector is defective….just thought I’d let you know…
Or maybe you should try not going into a conversation thinking, “Anyone who disagrees with me is white”?
Just saying.
remember if you don’t tow the line of their Nazi type ideology and drink their cool-aid your fragile white person or “coon”. fun fact my i have a buddy who is black. me and him took a nazi propaganda replaced the word jew with white and German and white references with black and he went up on stage and read it and he had blm member cheering for it and sjw shaking their head and snapping their fingers in agreement. its so in their face yet they dont see how they are towing the line and heading right into a… Read more »
I’ll do you one even better.
WhatNow said, “Fragile white person alert! And this one thinks it’s thinking.”
Fez Chermeat said, “Hey everyone, when encountering a white person remember to refer to as “It.” Also, do not attempt to broach a dialogue, they are inherently fragile.”
Plot Twist: I’m black.
I know there are black people who contribute to GMP and such comments had been said about them they would have been deleted swiftly. Moral of the story is racist comments towards black people okay as long as you make them towards the “right kind” of black people.
Hey everyone, when encountering a white person remember to refer to as “It.” Also, do not attempt to broach a dialogue, they are inherently fragile.
I’m guessing you’re not white… maybe the broad dialect is stumping you with a repeated response?
Congrats, WhatNow! You are doing an excellent job of pointing out all the various examples of the White Fragility that the author has outlined.
I don’t really think we need that many more examples, but, I suppose, we may as well haul all the Fragility out into the open, and let the cat sniff it.
Keep the examples coming, guys! You are doing an amazing job of illustrating the Wright’s thesis!
Can’t believe this person is a doctor. I thought this was written by a high schooler. How do you spend so much time and money to become a qualified “race talker?” She’s become so jaded that she doesn’t see how making sweeping generalizations about an entire race is racist. If this article was not overly-winded and biased, and contained at least some referenced facts, then I might have liked it. It disappoints me that this is considered scholarly. What is happening America?!
What’s happening is that you are just another fragile white person…with nothing useful to say…
Yeah, us poor fragile white people have nothing useful to say, what a useless weak race we are, as you say. I live my days wallowing in guilt over the colour of my skin, cursed to live out my days hating myself for how fragile and useless I am.
Yup! Particularly fragile white person alert!
I literally laugh every time I read fragile white person alert.. OMG.. So true and sadly hilarious!
Racist! The author of this absurd self pity party is a racist. He wants to pin on his targets the blame for his own self pity, low esteem, and perceived victimhood. Plus he wants free loot. Yes, nothing will assuage his grief like the feel of fresh loot forced from the people that had nothing to do with the victimization of slaves long dead. He has no privilege for the precise reason that he wallows in victimhood and won’t get off his lazy ass to accomplish anything that will bring wealth to him honestly. How ironic that he strings together… Read more »
I am amazed you have the ability to breathe with your mental process in such an early stage of development. Robin D’Angelo is a woman. Now I get why the USA is such a dung hole.
That moment when you strongly react to something you read and yet you fail to realise the writer is actually a woman. #poorwhiteyman
First of all the aurhor is female, your narrowminded perspective on reality is also a sexist perspective. 2nd of all the author is a well repected and worldwide known professor with the proper education and a “real job”. 3rd of all thanks for this awesome display of white fragility.
… and thank you for you calm demeanor and concise response. I appreciate your comment. 👍🏾👌🏾
You do realize the author is white, right? I ask because the drivel you just spewed is usually aimed towards black people, and while using played out racist stereotypes and the reverse racism card. Intelligent people can see it’s being done to deflect from your fear of losing your white privilege. Your defensive outbursts are the very example of this article, white fragility indeed.
Perfect response Lani. Thank you!
reverse racism isn’t a thing and black people can be racist regardless if you want to change the definition to give your self “immunity”
It’s clear that you didn’t even read the article and are just pulling cookie cutter thoughtless rhetoric from your *ss. How pathetic. Truth is scary to people like you.
Fragile white person alert! Totally brain dead.
I grew up in the Los Angeles California Area. Was also in the Army and Army reserves for 25 years. I have had more friends and co-workers who are “people of color” than white. However, I’ve been FALSELY accused of being racist just because I disagree. So this article misses the mark. Many of us whites don’t want to talk of racism, not because we’re supposedly racist. We’re tired of the character assassination, and slander.
I know you’re tired. We’re tired too. Tired of having to defend ourselves to Whites who believe that attacking a racist system that perpetuates THEIR success is a personal attack on them. Part of the problem is that Whites believe that “people of color” (ikr) LIKE having this discussion. We don’t. We’d just LOVE if this problem didn’t exist, or would just fix itself. AND, if Whites recognized that we feel this way. But the problem does exist, and it won’t fix itself. So we ALL have to have these discussions. Another part of the problems is that Blacks and… Read more »
Then shut up and go home fragile white person.
This is so basic. Since slavery was abolished all have been permitted to participate in the system of meritocracy we’ve built. Had the economy continued to grow and we would have resisted the toxic creation of the welfare state all would be going smoothly and the appearance of inequality would not be an issue. But the economy is struggling to survive and forcing us to resort to more tribal behavior. The cause of the poverty is the government who in an effort to deny their role are trying to legislate away the tribalism that is inherent with the poverty they… Read more »
“Since slavery was abolished…”? Removing the barrier that held them back for 400 years now allows them the “participate” equally? That’s like saying a kindergartener should be expected to compete equally with a high school student. The latter has a 12 year head start and advantage, but they are now expected to compete equally?? Even in a magnificent economy, you couldn’t argue that the odds are equal. And therein lies the problem. Because THAT is the part that many don’t want to acknowledge. Because it’s viewed as a personal admission of wrongdoing to admit that you’re not competing equally, that… Read more »
pathetic. How long are we supposed to carry these people? What’s in it for us?What about all the violence they commit? What about what they do to our schools? We need freedom of association again.
Please kill yourself. Quickly.
So you’re comparing modern black folks to kindergarteners and white folks to high schoolers and Conservatives are racists?
Fragile white person with a face.
Why limit this discuss to racism? What about those poor individuals who are discriminated and shunned for being too ugly, fat, mentally deficient, handicapped , short, tall? The list of victims never ends once y9u go down this road. People in these groups are discriminated against in life, love, employment etc. without the systemic advantages for advancement (i.e affirmative action etc. ) that blacks in our culture have. I’m disadvantaged for living in a place where it’s hot most of the year. That’s not fair. Everyone should have southern California weather. Could too much obsession on this matter have made… Read more »
This was a really well written article. And I’m sorry some of you folks are coming and doing EXACTLY what this article is saying by deflecting and minimizing because you refuse to challenge yourself. No problem ever goes away when you don’t work through it. It just finds other ways to surface, like in the election of 45.
the author accurately described the system in which we self govern ourselves. None if this is racism, not even close. The idea that you can even change the social structure that that is responsible for our survival as a species is short sighted and naive.
So you believe that the idea that a social structure which perpetuates “survival” based on race alone (not on any perceived defects in a racial category) could – and SHOULD – be changed is shortsighted? So in your mind, a society can create any kind of f’d up social structure based on keeping a disadvantaged group disadvantaged, and that structure should not be challenged? PEOPLE create social structures – they don’t merely exist in a vacuum – and people can, and do, CHANGE these social structures ALL THE TIME to keep pace with changes in society itself. To say that… Read more »
Because that would detract from the ACTUAL goals of cutlural marxism – which has little to do with oppression and everything to do with advancing their deceptive ideology.
For your information, there are LAWS and most of us fight hard to eradicate discrimination against persons with mental or physical handicaps. The other nonsensical examples you gave are either not inherent/immutable traits or cannot form the basis of discrimination on a systematic level. (Racism is not just not hiring/liking a person of another race, it is perpetuation of discrimination against that entire group on a SYSTEMATIC level.) Being ugly, short, tall, fat, etc is subjective (one man’s “fat” is another man’s “phat”). Race is not. Being ugly, short, tall, fat, etc. may have an impact on the performance of… Read more »
Derailing is that other tool racists and fragile people love. Please learn the difference between racism and discrimination before engaging in a discussion about racism. Thanks
Thanks for this article. It’s comprehensive and surprisingly positive and gentle. I struggle with nearly all of these types of fragility as a white person from a rural area. I think white people, especially white people who are “trying” to do the things listed at the end of your article, are also really fragile about the lack of support or admiration they get for doing that. I know that’s one of the hardest things for me, in combination with the “individualism” piece you mentioned. It’s so hard for me NOT to say, “Not all white people!” The good thing is… Read more »
So, I should feel even worse about myself than I do now? Is there a limit to how much I should hate myself for what time, place, and color I was born? I think a lot of white people tend to not know how to talk about race because it’s currently virtually impossible to claim or prove that you aren’t racist without someone trying to prove that you are. There’s no real place to go argumentatively when called a racist now, if you fight it, they will just keep trying to prove that you’re racist. If you don’t fight it,… Read more »
I don’t think the author is saying that you should “hate” yourself, or even feel bad about yourself, just that you should not become defensive or dismissal when it is pointed out that you DO come from a position of inherent racial superiority. That’s not to say that you should allow that to be a “conversation-stopper”. The subtle truth is that people of color think that that racial advantage – not YOU, is racist; and that a refusal to admit/acknowledge that racial advantage – not YOU, is racist. So, they may not believe that YOU are racist, but they do… Read more »
So, I should feel even worse about myself than I do now? Is there a limit to how much I should hate myself for what time, place, and color I was born? I think a lot of white people tend to not know how to talk about race because it’s currently virtually impossible to claim or prove that you aren’t racist without someone trying to prove that you are. There’s no real place to go argumentatively when called a racist now, if you fight it, they will just keep trying to prove that you’re racist. If you don’t fight it,… Read more »
You have provided absolutely no window of opportunity for racism to ever go away. Even in this comprehensive analysis that pigeonholes every white American and casts them as fragile and guilty prototypes of white supremacy, you still offer no solutions, no options, no hope for anything other than the willful submission and total deference to the assumed authority of a small portion of black citizens in America. So long as you continue to promote the divide between our races and so long as you hold white people solely responsible for all of the problems facing Black Americans, you cannot honestly… Read more »
You can flip flop the word white with whatever color you like, and you would find another group of people agreeing with it through confirmation bias. Classic divide and conquer Saul Alinsky type stuff. By defining and placing people by their color, not character. Is the author a bigot? The only thing you can guarantee is humans are hypocritical in nature, which includes that author.
My son told me today Trump was chosen by God. When I tired to rationalize what he was saying. I used examples like how Mormonism was founded by a white man..and other white men hand picked by God in this country and in Europe to colonize and start churches ..my question for him was why does God only chose white men..he took it personally and told me I was a racist. So much for trying to get him to see what I see…..