African American

better

(884 posts)

5. Some very valid points

Reply to The Polack MSgt (Original post)

Thu Nov 1, 2018, 04:36 PM

Nov 2018

As a fellow overweight balding white guy, and one who grew up in the mid-south, I have some pretty deep exposure to this as well. There are three things that stick out for me.

The first is that racism can be either active or passive.
It's not enough to simply not harbor racism. We have to also not tolerate it.

The second is that one need not actually be racist in order for their opinions and beliefs to be the product of racism.
They need only be unaware of the racist origins of their opinions and beliefs.

And the third pertains to something that I wish more of my fellow white folk would properly grasp about white privilege...

White privilege does not mean that your life is made easy just because you're white.
It means that your life is not made harder just because you're not.

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I was recently asked whether I really believed that most white Americans are racist. [View all] The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 OP

I will counter your assertion, I am 65 old white guy and ALL my white friends are zero racists... beachbum bob Nov 2018 #1

I dunnno...fellow white dude, and while I'd agree that "all my friends" keep any racism to themself anarch Nov 2018 #2

91% sounds right to me...great post! Many within that 91% try very hard NOT to be Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #3

The OP and your post make me appreciate DU even more. brush Nov 2018 #51

I think that's a bit high, but I think it's still well over half Bradical79 Nov 2018 #4

Some very valid points better Nov 2018 #5

THIS is a GREAT point, never heard it like this before, thank you Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #8

My pleasure, and by all means, please feel free to spread without attribution. better Nov 2018 #9

You wil probably be more successful than I will, while i have the same goal and have talked about Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #11

For whatever it may be worth... better Nov 2018 #44

Thank you for this well said reply The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #13

And thank you, MSgt, for your well-said OP! better Nov 2018 #15

Thank you. I will be stealing your closing paragraph The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #16

Excellent points! BlueMTexpat Nov 2018 #41

Thank you The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #48

Sincerely, thank you for that. better Nov 2018 #50

I would put it higher, myself. TygrBright Nov 2018 #6

I once said in this group The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #14

One thing that might help that happen better Nov 2018 #17

Well said. N/t cate94 Nov 2018 #21

I'm a three score or so years old white woman... haele Nov 2018 #7

I'm going to back you up on this. But go a little further. violetpastille Nov 2018 #10

I'm really enjoying the intellectual tone of this discussion better Nov 2018 #12

I could have written this myself... Ferrets are Cool Nov 2018 #18

Recently was asked ... kooth Nov 2018 #19

As you show, the answer is always more complicated than the question. Sometimes it helps to get the ancianita Nov 2018 #20

K&R, bookmarked too. This is a great post. Thank you Sarge! yonder Nov 2018 #22

This presidency proves cate94 Nov 2018 #23

Thank you Msgt for holding up that mirror. alwaysinasnit Nov 2018 #24

An off branch of this: I think racism in cultures can be fluid. Let me explain and forgive my ramble dameatball Nov 2018 #25

I appreciate your reply The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #30

Regretfully, I spent about twenty minutes. I hope it made sense.Thanks for your OP. dameatball Nov 2018 #32

I agree 100%. Eko Nov 2018 #26

Wish i had a like or agree button for replies The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #29

One thing Dump has done Eko Nov 2018 #33

You need to do what you believe is best. The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #35

As much push-back as we tend to see over cutting trumper family members out of our lives better Nov 2018 #42

I would agree that it's at least 91% MaryMagdaline Nov 2018 #27

Thank you and I agree The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #49

Thank you SallyHemmings Nov 2018 #28

Thoughtful and honest mcar Nov 2018 #31

I appreciate everyone's honest and respectful input. The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #34

Dear Mr. The Polack MSgt, you remind me of this quote Kind of Blue Nov 2018 #36

I'm shamed by your praise The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #37

I want to repeat my tagline... Kind of Blue Nov 2018 #38

Respectfully, I think you mean humbled, not shamed. better Nov 2018 #43

I for one think this is a great idea. better Nov 2018 #57

Hey, better! Totally agree. Kind of Blue Nov 2018 #60

Thanks for a most thoughtful and important OP RoadRunner Nov 2018 #39

Thank you RoadRunner. The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #40

Some of us W guys, I dont like using the full word, risky to do so, are fully aware Eliot Rosewater Nov 2018 #53

It's a shame that we never got to serve together, Sarge MrScorpio Nov 2018 #45

We almost did on the ROK The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #46

You know that I could have extended again MrScorpio Nov 2018 #47

I want to take a little bit of a break from the heavier part of this conversaion better Nov 2018 #52

I was raised in a racist family prudence54 Nov 2018 #54

Welcome to DU! better Nov 2018 #55

Thanks for this response - I understand that family dynamic The Polack MSgt Nov 2018 #56

We are all racist to an extent TlalocW Nov 2018 #58

+1 violetpastille Nov 2018 #59

I agree ismnotwasm Nov 2018 #61