Comments | theomanic: In response to northbard

theomanic

In response to northbard

Aug 14, 2009 10:42

Yesterday, northbard posted a link to an article in his LJ, and asked for peoples opinions on it. I had too many, so I decided to give it some thought here ( Read more... )

Comments 6

tormenta August 14 2009, 21:14:46 UTC

On your last paragraph, it is a different use of the word "oppressor" ... think of it more like, "complicit person in maintaining the status quo, who also is nearly least opressed by the status quo".... as we all know, the majority of people in a society, often up to and including the oppressed, are usually complicit in maintaining a status quo, pretty much by definition ( ... )

theomanic August 15 2009, 04:05:07 UTC

I know when I have spoken with a few people, notably a friend of mine who is Spanish, I've been pretty appalled by some of their stories. Sometimes I have wondered if people really do those things because she is dark skinned, or is it perceived that is the reason... which in turn makes me realize that a) I'm sure times I've felt persecuted for being female when I probably wasn't, b) I'm lucky to not have to worry about being judged on my race (as often) and c) things for her are probably worse than I think ( ... )

out on a limb here... ilyanna August 15 2009, 05:16:00 UTC

... from a completely different side of the tracks... i think that being white, sometimes has disadvantages ( ... )

Re: out on a limb here... theomanic August 15 2009, 15:29:27 UTC

The article is written from the perspective of someone in the US. I don't think she is talking about global attitudes because you're right, they're very different in some places. It's funny, but when people talk about immigrants, they usually mean people of colour. My parents both immigrated here and my mom isn't even a citizen, so I think I'm considered first generation Canadian. But I'm sure no one thinks of me that way, though I think perceptions would be different if my parents were Indian or something ( ... )

ilyanna August 15 2009, 05:16:26 UTC

I am like you in that i dont plan to spend my time with white people... In the paste, i was actually more used to spending time interracially. I have sat back sometimes and said Hey, there are only white people here, and been surprised ( ... )

theomanic August 15 2009, 15:38:03 UTC

I sometimes forget about racism, honestly, because it's not in my face. Like I said, when my Spanish friend sometimes tells me her stories, I'm completely shocked that that happens in a modern, fairly enlightened place like Canada. I've heard people say racist things, though it's pretty rare, and usually they are spurned because of it... it's just not acceptable. But I guess those experiences are pretty uncommon for me to be around, and for my friend it's a fact of life.

I think part of the point of this essay is that white people do forget or are unaware of the difficulties other races can experience, so it's important to remember and be aware of the unseen advantage white people have. But as to doing something to stop that practice, there wasn't really any suggestions to be had. I guess I'll just try to keep it in mind, but there isn't much else I can do.