General Discussion

gollygee

(22,336 posts) Mon Jul 14, 2014, 09:24 AM Jul 2014

9 Clueless Things White People Do When Confronted With Racism [View all]

I could have titled this "Why Reverse Racism Isn't Real 2.0" but I used the article's actual title instead.

http://www.dailydot.com/opinion/clueless-things-white-people-say-racism/

3) “Talking about issues in terms of ‘white people’ and ‘white privilege’ is reverse racism.”

About that reverse racism thing... it doesn’t exist. It’s no secret that it is humanly possible for a person of color to be prejudiced against whites. Sometimes, it’s an attitude that develops over time because their experience with racism has drawn them to the conclusion that no “good” white people exist in the world. And although there’s a lot of healing that needs to happen in that much more seldom instance of prejudice, the attitude itself doesn’t come with an entire system of benefits and institutional power that being white affords in America. That’s the difference between racism and prejudice, because racism at its root is about supremacy.

4) “You [person of color] clearly don’t know what racism is. According to Webster’s Dictionary...”

Don’t do it. Step away from this infantilizing situation to avoid being a white person dictating how racism works to a person of color, despite their actual lived experiences with it. As for how Webster’s and other dictionaries defines the issue? The oversimplification is a topic that merits an entire thesis.

192 replies

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Highlight:

9 Clueless Things White People Do When Confronted With Racism [View all] gollygee Jul 2014 OP

That number 4 is very irritating el_bryanto Jul 2014 #1

Your first point is very interesting. Igel Jul 2014 #25

Well it depends on what the point to the discussion is el_bryanto Jul 2014 #29

Very well said. nt redqueen Jul 2014 #90

Or, ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #92

I should be clear here el_bryanto Jul 2014 #95

One person "wins" without having learned anything or become any better of a human being. nomorenomore08 Jul 2014 #155

A need for control over the terms of the debate. AlbertCat Jul 2014 #47

No. Because word meaning is extremely fluid and anybody who doesn't know that el_bryanto Jul 2014 #84

Taking a moment to understand the ideas expressed by the words is always worth doing. AlbertCat Jul 2014 #85

So you feel that people, in order to argue with you, need to use the dictionary definition el_bryanto Jul 2014 #93

Or, importantly, ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #96

Do you take any responsibility for trying to understand other people, including how they use their AlbertCat Jul 2014 #106

Okay, what would help you understand the deficiency of Webster's ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #116

Oh pul-leez AlbertCat Jul 2014 #99

I understand that you feel that the dictionary definition is the only one you need to know el_bryanto Jul 2014 #108

understand that you feel that the dictionary definition is the only one you need to know AlbertCat Jul 2014 #111

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #112

It's a waste of time AlbertCat Jul 2014 #115

I don't know if this is a dig at me el_bryanto Jul 2014 #121

I don't know if this is a dig at me AlbertCat Jul 2014 #130

And when those people's "made up definition for words" ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #118

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #119

Really ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #122

Really AlbertCat Jul 2014 #125

In the words of another DUer ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #137

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #132

You see what's happening 1strong? JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #134

I'm white and this crap is infuriating me! smirkymonkey Jul 2014 #158

Of course they are being willfully obtuse. CBGLuthier Jul 2014 #180

Yes, no understanding of the reality of the situation. smirkymonkey Jul 2014 #192

reflect the 50+ years of academic work of sociologists? AlbertCat Jul 2014 #123

Okay. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #128

Oh boy that saltnpepa JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #135

I'm mildly annoyed - had to go to lunch, and apparently her response to me was hidden el_bryanto Jul 2014 #143

I was done with that Poster ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #145

Sociologists acknowledge/define both individual and institutional racism AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #138

Please conduct this Google Search ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #139

You are being disingenuous AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #147

Okay. ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #148

Show evidence AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #149

The evidence is that 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #150

Zero evidence forthcoming AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #169

Maybe you should have actually read what you linked to ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #170

More self serving nonsense AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #171

Bullsh!t, as the link you posted demonstrated; but ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #172

You didn't bother reading what I posted AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #173

LOL ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #175

You provide no evidence of anything AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #176

Bullsh!t ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #179

There are many, many forms of racism AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #181

There are many manifestations of racism ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #182

What 'antiquated forms of racism' am I 'holding onto'? AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #183

Maybe; but then, so are the social scientists that I base my "deep denial" upon. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #184

You have yet to post your source AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #185

I've posted one of the over 900,000 peer reviewed articles ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #186

That is flat out dishonest AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #187

Okay. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #188

I did your google search AgingAmerican Jul 2014 #189

Okay. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #191

A child knows that there is a difference between the gradual change... Hofbrau Jul 2014 #174

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #109

So who are the real racists in your opinion - those who are genuinely racist? nt el_bryanto Jul 2014 #110

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #113

OK - now you understand that institutional power does enforce white privilege? el_bryanto Jul 2014 #114

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #117

So you think institutional racism is over? Do you think affirmative action programs are still el_bryanto Jul 2014 #120

Post removed Post removed Jul 2014 #126

Wow ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #124

Did someone get PPR'd? Was that a n00b troll or someone with a history?? PeaceNikki Jul 2014 #142

Yep. Saltnpepper ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #144

I totally missed what was said. PeaceNikki Jul 2014 #146

I still like this advice: KurtNYC Jul 2014 #2

WOW! This is SO right on!! DesertDiamond Jul 2014 #31

Excellent point! nt valerief Jul 2014 #45

Agreed; but ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #98

Nice but wordy. I prefer Warpy Jul 2014 #131

Hear, hear! smirkymonkey Jul 2014 #159

Whoops, the linked article says 9, not 8. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jul 2014 #3

I must have mis-typed gollygee Jul 2014 #4

10) They make threads about gefilte fish. nt msanthrope Jul 2014 #5

+10000 JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #9

Nailed it. nt msanthrope Jul 2014 #71

Truly superb article. Thank you for posting. Baitball Blogger Jul 2014 #6

Happy to confirm that I have never said any of those things. Nye Bevan Jul 2014 #7

You're in that other thread Capt. Obvious Jul 2014 #10

Thanks and please note JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #12

Are you referring to bullet point #4? Nye Bevan Jul 2014 #16

LOL!!! Capt. Obvious Jul 2014 #17

You've never used the dictionary thing? JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #11

She never said those exact words Capt. Obvious Jul 2014 #18

Ahhh - but I'm still not excusing her JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #46

Isn't it appropriate that white people should feel a little "uncomfy" Nye Bevan Jul 2014 #19

No - I don't think they should JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #28

Perhaps some white people are entirely comfortable with the current racial situation in the US. Nye Bevan Jul 2014 #35

Um no - it's not progress that did it. JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #44

I would think if some white person feels "uncomfy" discussing race... abakan Jul 2014 #89

OTOH if a white person is 100% comfortable with the current state of racial discrimination in the US Nye Bevan Jul 2014 #91

Not comfortable with the current state of race relations... abakan Jul 2014 #100

^ This exactly ^ JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #129

I like the GWTW reference... abakan Jul 2014 #133

Did you feel called out or something? How interesting that you felt compelled to share this Number23 Jul 2014 #154

c/p'ing the bullet points I pulled out in AA Group this weekend JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #8

I Can't Get The Link To Work . . . ProfessorGAC Jul 2014 #13

Here it is gollygee Jul 2014 #14

“I don’t see race. I only see the human race.” AlbertCat Jul 2014 #37

Thanks ProfessorGAC Jul 2014 #141

n/t JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #15

Discard the dictionary definition or dailydot.com will call me a clueless white? LittleBlue Jul 2014 #20

As will I Capt. Obvious Jul 2014 #21

Awful, just awful LittleBlue Jul 2014 #23

Or, you could inform yourself on ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #104

True to type, once again. nt redqueen Jul 2014 #127

Irony. nt LittleBlue Jul 2014 #136

You forgot create a thread on DU whistler162 Jul 2014 #22

I'm white, yet those 9 things LWolf Jul 2014 #24

If you live in a small town that's "not at all violent" Nye Bevan Jul 2014 #49

Because my dad LWolf Jul 2014 #103

Ok, I will admit... one_voice Jul 2014 #26

I used to say that. Tetris_Iguana Jul 2014 #55

Hmmm....maybe I'm misunderstanding the intent of... one_voice Jul 2014 #140

“You clearly don’t know what racism is. According to Webster’s Dictionary...” AlbertCat Jul 2014 #27

Using the dictionary is not approaching it "scientifically". Quite the opposite, it's a gross PeaceNikki Jul 2014 #77

You still must define your terms if they have more than one meaning... AlbertCat Jul 2014 #79

Using an encyclopedia, or academic paper, or large scale study would be 'scientific-er' PeaceNikki Jul 2014 #83

An online dictionary AlbertCat Jul 2014 #94

Actually, it IS approaching it scientifically. TampaAnimusVortex Jul 2014 #153

They Forgot to Include #10 mckara Jul 2014 #30

Thank you. nt littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #32

YES!!! DesertDiamond Jul 2014 #33

I need an article to the tune of treestar Jul 2014 #34

Louis C. K.: "White people have problems, too, like the time they took away our slaves." tclambert Jul 2014 #36

That was a real blow for white people, when they took away our right to own other people. AlbertCat Jul 2014 #39

How many white people were slave owners? Comrade Grumpy Jul 2014 #81

Why should it matter? The fact is that white people owned black people and not the reverse. nomorenomore08 Jul 2014 #162

"Institutional power" - TBF Jul 2014 #38

"Institutional power" AlbertCat Jul 2014 #40

Post removed Post removed Jul 2014 #41

Where are the 9 clueless things asians do when confronted with racism? AlbertCat Jul 2014 #42

Are you aware of 9 clueless things that are pretty common in that situation? gollygee Jul 2014 #43

or make your own if this is something you've seen as a problem AlbertCat Jul 2014 #50

Have they? gollygee Jul 2014 #54

Why leave it up to "someone" to make the list? Sheldon Cooper Jul 2014 #56

You seem exceptionally interested in it AlbertCat Jul 2014 #64

Hahaha! Sheldon Cooper Jul 2014 #65

If you think that Asians say racist things, well then by all means, Sheldon Cooper Jul 2014 #51

Fair point and request JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #53

If you think that Asians say racist things, AlbertCat Jul 2014 #59

I have no idea what they say, frankly. Sheldon Cooper Jul 2014 #61

you're being a little, well, emotional about it. AlbertCat Jul 2014 #67

Hahhaha! Sheldon Cooper Jul 2014 #69

Sheldon Cooper... AlbertCat Jul 2014 #73

I think I'm the only one who finds these links ironic and abusive? Dreamer Tatum Jul 2014 #48

It was actually posted in the AA Group this weekend JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #52

"Hey you guys! Look how racist I'm NOT" Dreamer Tatum Jul 2014 #60

Was it that? JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #66

Saying "I get it" shouldn't entail deriding people who, in the author's estimation, Dreamer Tatum Jul 2014 #70

But maybe black folks do? JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #86

"Hey Black Folks! Read this NOW!" Dreamer Tatum Jul 2014 #102

Actually - it did - last I checked JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #105

The author didn't accuse anyone AlbertCat Jul 2014 #78

I don't know JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #87

I've never experienced other Americans in this way that are Asian, Asian Indian, Native American... AlbertCat Jul 2014 #101

I don't think so - i.e. the anecdotal not being reliable JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #107

You could also JustAnotherGen Jul 2014 #88

"Abusive"? Seriously? Sheldon Cooper Jul 2014 #58

No, I feel abused when someone assures me I'm a racist Dreamer Tatum Jul 2014 #62

If you're not a racist, then the checklist isn't about you. Sheldon Cooper Jul 2014 #63

Ohhhhh...sorry. It's only for people who self-identify as racist. Dreamer Tatum Jul 2014 #68

I can read that without one single ounce of defensiveness. Sheldon Cooper Jul 2014 #72

I'm not defensive. I'm dismissive. Dreamer Tatum Jul 2014 #75

Well, "dismissive" says a lot, too. Sheldon Cooper Jul 2014 #76

It says exactly one thing: that I dismiss its content as inapplicable to me Dreamer Tatum Jul 2014 #80

Don't sweat it Dreamer... AlbertCat Jul 2014 #82

I agree. phil89 Jul 2014 #74

Is it the idea that reverse racism doesn't exist? Hoppy Jul 2014 #57

In the sense that white people have never been systematically treated as "less than" nomorenomore08 Jul 2014 #161

These are things that should be said out loud. davidthegnome Jul 2014 #97

This message was self-deleted by its author Corruption Inc Jul 2014 #151

Why did you self-delete everything you've posted in the last month?...nt SidDithers Jul 2014 #152

Why don't you get us started? Number23 Jul 2014 #156

"Ignore it and allow it to fester" should probably be on there. nomorenomore08 Jul 2014 #163

I think you nailed it in one. Number23 Jul 2014 #178

You seem ready to offer such a list Capt. Obvious Jul 2014 #160

I am at a loss as to why this article is at all controversial ....? etherealtruth Jul 2014 #157

Evidently, generalizations hurt people's feelings. Even when they're true. nomorenomore08 Jul 2014 #164

All the article aims to do is make people think .... etherealtruth Jul 2014 #166

I agree. The butt-hurt in this thread is ridiculous. n/t nomorenomore08 Jul 2014 #168

Whole lot of white people with the sadz on DU. Starry Messenger Jul 2014 #165

Challenging one's beliefs is hard etherealtruth Jul 2014 #167

Sounds about right. Warpy Jul 2014 #177

It's a good article steve2470 Jul 2014 #190