African American
In reply to the discussion: Why is discussing race on DU considered race-baiting? [View all]MrScorpio
(73,631 posts)I found that race based stress can be triggered in some whites despite their political affiliation. If they're allegeding "race baiting," then you have clear clue that they're feeling that stress.
At this point, I consider that to be their problem, not mine. Frankly, the last thing that I want to deal with in discussions over race is hurt white feelings.
The key to avoiding race based stress is having a strong sense of self awareness of ones own degree of white privileges. White guilt isn't necessary, as those privileges are unearned and awarded at birth by dint of simply being born white.
White guilt is almost as counter-productive as denying that white privileges in our overtly white supremacist culture even exist.
Conflict occurs when certain whites undergo the experience of race based stress and they behave as if they're being personally attacked merely because they're white.
I look at discussions over race with white counterparts as a sort of litmus test, clarifying their own level of self awareness and if they're aware of both endemic and systematic American white supremacy in general or not. It's always good to assess one's white counterpart's level of comfort, candor and willingness for empathy when discussing race issues and proceed accordingly.
White people in this country must make a conscious effort to advance their own level of self awareness and savvy regarding racial hierarchy, biases, history and the black experience. Knowledge of that experience which is also free of negative, unfair and untrue stereotypes about black people, as well as being free from fear, hostility, contempt and suspicion of black people as well.
By the way, it's not the job of black people to drag whites along the way. White people must do this on their own. We, as their black and POC counterparts, should only provide encouragement and feedback regarding their progress.
It's a long, hard road to travel to self awareness and knowledge, but success can be achieved through hard work, sincerity and honesty.