Are All White People Racist?

[Boiler 46,172]

Yes.

The widely recognised definition of racism is missing something important. Structural power. It’s this that gives white sounding names an advantage in job applications. It’s this that means people of colour are more likely to be stopped and searched by the police. It’s this that means most make-up brands, plasters and “nude” coloured clothing is for white skin tones only i.e. the norm. If structural racism didn’t exist, why did Rihanna’s new make-up brand set a benchmark for beauty that other brands have never even come close to achieving? Because most beauty brands didn’t even realise there were forty shades of human skin tone worth catering for.

The world is not equal for everyone. It’s a tilted stage where whiteness is centre stage, it’s the norm and those in the spotlight aren’t given the tools to recognise it. Recognising this is important, white readers (ourselves included, obvs), you can be critical about the privilege we have but didn’t ask for, and still benefit from it. Just don’t let that guilt get in the way of being an ally and calling out racism when you see it, nobody’s got time for those white tears.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/elena-guthrie/racism-white-privilege_b_18147778.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

 

Edited October 4, 2017 by Boiler

[Mr&Mrs G. 903]

Munroe Bergdoff 

 

I prefer Morgan Freeman

 

 

[Steeleballz 7,550]

9 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Yes.

The widely recognised definition of racism is missing something important. Structural power. It’s this that gives white sounding names an advantage in job applications. It’s this that means people of colour are more likely to be stopped and searched by the police. It’s this that means most make-up brands, plasters and “nude” coloured clothing is for white skin tones only i.e. the norm. If structural racism didn’t exist, why did Rihanna’s new make-up brand set a benchmark for beauty that other brands have never even come close to achieving? Because most beauty brands didn’t even realise there were forty shades of human skin tone worth catering for.

The world is not equal for everyone. It’s a tilted stage where whiteness is centre stage, it’s the norm and those in the spotlight aren’t given the tools to recognise it. Recognising this is important, white readers (ourselves included, obvs), you can be critical about the privilege we have but didn’t ask for, and still benefit from it. Just don’t let that guilt get in the way of being an ally and calling out racism when you see it, nobody’s got time for those white tears.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/elena-guthrie/racism-white-privilege_b_18147778.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

 

     The world has never been equal for everyone. Plenty of places where white people are minorities and deal with the same issues that minorities everywhere have to face. White privilege has become such a trigger word that I don't think it's possible to discuss the concept the author was getting at when using that term. Structural power is a real thing. In the US, it's a remnant of our past that's still prevalent, although becoming less so as time goes by.

 

   When a society goes through institutionalized racism such as we did, it's not unusual that most of the money and power in that society is concentrated within one "group". Civil laws may change to level the playing field within the legal system, but socially, it takes longer for things to level out. Structural power is closely tied to economic power, and I'm not sure why there's such a tendency to overlook the role economic equity plays in social equity, but that's really where we are now.  Moving forward, even as some want to take us back. 

    

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Not only is the world not equal for everyone, but people will congregate with those they know and are familiar with.  That’s why whites and Asians don’t intermingle a whole lot, even though their skin colors are very close. Ditto whites and blacks.  It’s not that whites shun blacks, or vice versa, but that each race and culture is more comfortable with one another, i.e. what they know and are familiar with.

 

I don’t hang out with Koreans, Filipinos, or Mexicans much.  Not because I am racist nor xenophobic, but because we don’t have a lot in common, and the language barrier is an issue at times.  My circle of friends is VERY small, but tight.  Because I know them.  And I think every group of people, especially those geographically close to one another, are the same way.

[Dashinka 24,831]

7 hours ago, Boiler said:

Yes.

The widely recognised definition of racism is missing something important. Structural power. It’s this that gives white sounding names an advantage in job applications. It’s this that means people of colour are more likely to be stopped and searched by the police. It’s this that means most make-up brands, plasters and “nude” coloured clothing is for white skin tones only i.e. the norm. If structural racism didn’t exist, why did Rihanna’s new make-up brand set a benchmark for beauty that other brands have never even come close to achieving? Because most beauty brands didn’t even realise there were forty shades of human skin tone worth catering for.

The world is not equal for everyone. It’s a tilted stage where whiteness is centre stage, it’s the norm and those in the spotlight aren’t given the tools to recognise it. Recognising this is important, white readers (ourselves included, obvs), you can be critical about the privilege we have but didn’t ask for, and still benefit from it. Just don’t let that guilt get in the way of being an ally and calling out racism when you see it, nobody’s got time for those white tears.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/elena-guthrie/racism-white-privilege_b_18147778.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

 

What is a white sounding name?

6 hours ago, Steeleballz said:

 

     The world has never been equal for everyone. Plenty of places where white people are minorities and deal with the same issues that minorities everywhere have to face. White privilege has become such a trigger word that I don't think it's possible to discuss the concept the author was getting at when using that term. Structural power is a real thing. In the US, it's a remnant of our past that's still prevalent, although becoming less so as time goes by.

 

   When a society goes through institutionalized racism such as we did, it's not unusual that most of the money and power in that society is concentrated within one "group". Civil laws may change to level the playing field within the legal system, but socially, it takes longer for things to level out. Structural power is closely tied to economic power, and I'm not sure why there's such a tendency to overlook the role economic equity plays in social equity, but that's really where we are now.  Moving forward, even as some want to take us back. 

    

The world and life in itself is not fair.

[Little_Vixen 1,869]

I agree with IDWAF, people flock together with what they know and are comfortable with. It's something I've been thinking about recently too. I am a member of a Dutch in America page and I notice I feel drawn to seek them out. To share experiences and hear their stories. I would love to meet them in real life and become friends, hang out. That made me pause, cause in the past I often criticized immigrants for flocking together and 'not integrating' in Dutch culture. But I find myself doing the very same thing. This whole immigration process has made me reconsider many prejudices I didn't even know I had. I count it as a blessing.

[smilesammich 10,727]

good quote from the op, thanks boiler!

 

Quote

All white people are racist, because all white people exist in a racist power structure that we aren’t actively fighting to dismantle. Racists don’t just wear white pointy hats and say the ‘n’ word, by doing nothing, any and every white person is still taking advantage of a power structure that favours us. Don’t be more upset with being called racist than actual racism.

If you’re upset, do something - listen to the voices of people of colour, do your own research, give money, time or resources to spaces and platforms for people of colour. As Siana points out in this episode; if Charlottesville was a surprise to you, you’ve not been paying attention. 
Don’t just take our word for it though, there are plenty of amazing resources we’d encourage you to check out so you’re not relying on the people of colour in your life to explain everything. These are also based on the experience of British people of colour. We don’t often recommend books (in fact, we mostly make a point not to) which is why these are a real exception:
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
The Good Immigrant, edited by Nikesh Shukla

 

[GandD 5,966]

The answer is clearly "yes". Next 

[Boiler 46,172]

5 minutes ago, GandD said:

The answer is clearly "yes". Next 

Sorted

[smilesammich 10,727]

6 minutes ago, GandD said:

The answer is clearly "yes". Next 

so hurts my pure white soul.

[Boiler 46,172]

Just now, smilesammich said:

so hurts my pure white soul.

Have you thought of paying reparations?

 

Free sandwiches?

[Merrytooth 5,748]

lol.. poor white people.. deserve to be replaced and wiped out eventually  ha ha ha

 

 

[smilesammich 10,727]

Just now, Boiler said:

Have you thought of paying reparations?

 

Free sandwiches?

of course not, i'm racist.

[GandD 5,966]

My existence makes me racist. I got hired for my job because I'm racist. 

[Boiler 46,172]

1 minute ago, smilesammich said:

of course not, i'm racist.

There is that, presumably you only use white bread.