African American
In reply to the discussion: Why is discussing race on DU considered race-baiting? [View all]Haveadream
(1,630 posts)It is often used by whites to project what are actually their own biases on to AAs and other minorities. It is a defensive way to redirect the responsibility for the problem onto the victim(s) when the topic of discrimination comes up. Rather than address the injustice, the apologist misuses and redefines the phrase, "race baiting", a term originally used to describe dog whistles and fear mongering appeals to white supremacists. Whites now using it to describe PoC are coopting the meaning of a phrase that doesn't belong to them and in doing so, imply that there can even be such a thing as reverse racism. The whole "race baiting" narrative, as applied to PoC, is fraught with entitlement, appropriation, denial, projection and false equivalency.
It also serves as a huge signal that the person who uses it to challenge the existence of racism (in whatever context) is very likely guilty of being a participant in it. They protest too much. What are they afraid of? Having to address the issues at large? Or the ways in which they actively participate in promoting them? Likely both. They are essentially blaming the victims for "making" them feel guilty. If they haven't done anything to feel that way, that guilt isn't likely to come up. They are in effect, "owning it" by using the phrase in the first place. It is helpful when they do if only because it lets people know who is doing the talking and where they are coming from.
As to your point about PoC, women and LGBT being the reliable "base" of the party, it is pretty hard to argue with facts. The fact that white aka "working class" (that term now an offensive dog whistle) are sometimes part of the party base does not mean they are a demographic that can be relied upon in the same way. That reality is being exposed in this particular election as droves of white males are abandoning the party or co-signing with Trump. For anyone with a scintilla of sensitivity to racial injustice, the basis for that is obvious and those who are part of the exodus do not want to be called out. And for those who want to be seen as the "true base" of the party? Their challenges are coming from entitlement and a need to always be the one identified with the power, especially when they see that slipping away.
As far as BLM, anyone not at risk to be murdered and beaten by those who are paid to protect you, really need to get behind those who are.