Liberal Racism: 25 Things I Learned After I Wrote About ISIS and White Racism at the Daily Kos

[DonViejo]

Copying, pasting and the posting of articles from DailyKos is permitted as long as attribution is provided.

bychaunceydevegaFollow

Racism is not an opinion. It is a fact.

White supremacy is one of the most powerful social forces and ideologies in the United States (and the West). As such, it is reflected in our political discourse, and both intentionally (through active racism) and unintentionally (implicit bias) reproduced by individuals.

Online spaces are a great lens into white supremacy because they are a type of public arena where individuals can drop the mask of social conformity and desirability, revealing their private thoughts and true selves.

Thus, comment sections are transformed into a space where “backstage racism” can be transformed into direct and public acts.

I have shared my essays here on the Daily Kos for several years. There are some good and sincere folks here who I have talked to via email and through other mediums. There are likely many “lurkers” who read, give “recs”, and share work they find valuable and useful with their friends, family, colleagues, and others in their personal networks.

By definition, those individuals who frequently comment on and read political websites are outliers relative to the general population. And while the Daily Kos is a “liberal” or “progressive” website, it still reflects the biases, habits, and beliefs of the individuals who frequent it.

For example, if a given society is racist, sexist, and homophobic, then its members and culture, to varying degrees, will be a reflection of those values. Some will resist them; others will actively reproduce and support them; most will go about their quotidian lives, a herd or mass public to be directed one way or another as their personal whims and desires pull, and cues from elites direct them.

White liberals love to point out the racism of conservatives and republicans. This is an easy task in the post civil rights era because the Tea Party GOP is the United States’ de facto White identity party.

It is far more difficult for white liberals and progressives to look in the proverbial mirror and to take a personal inventory of their own possessive investment in whiteness, and how they reproduce white supremacy as a lived ideology.

Liberal or “aversive” racism is the counterpart to the “symbolic” and “old fashioned” racism practiced by conservatives and the White Right.

My most recent posts on the Daily Kos (an essay on Dr. Martin Luther King and White memory; a new piece on ISIS’s barbarism and the lynching of black Americans by white people) have been met with many hundreds of comments. Those essays were also shared many thousands of times on Facebook and other social media.

Collectively, the comments on my essay on ISIS, as well as white historical memory and Dr. King, are a lesson in the enduring power of liberal racism. I have learned much from them.

As I have done in the past, what follows are some helpful guidelines and observations for people of color (and white folks of conscience) who dare to speak some “truth to power” about race or racism at the Daily Kos.

1. White people are very sensitive. Many of them get very upset and angry when you tell the truth about racism, white supremacy, or white privilege. Never speak plainly and directly to liberal racists. They may wilt.
2. Liberal racists and their allies believe that it is “unnecessary” to comment on the plain on the face fact that black Americans were burned alive in much the same as ISIS did to the captured Jordanian, Muadh al Kasasbeh.
3. Addendum to the above. The spectacular lynchings of black Americans by white people were “a long time ago” so it should not be discussed anymore lest white people be made uncomfortable. For the White Gaze a long time ago is compressed to 50 years.
4. Be prepared for the deflection and dismissive comment that, “everyone knows this stuff! Why are you bringing it up!”
5. If you want to talk about racism and how black folks were subjected to horrific violence by white people—much of it worse than what ISIS visited upon Muadh al Kasasbeh—during Black History Month, one must get permission from white people first. This is especially true during Black History Month because black folks tend to get too confident and back sass white folks during those 28 days.
6. The idea that white people who benefit in the present from systems of material advantage and other unearned privileges, outcomes that are the direct result of racial terrorism against non-whites, should “own” their history, is very upsetting and provocative to white folks. Never forget that White America and White Americans are a people and a country without a history.
7. If you talk to white people about racism you should speak in the same tone and manner as Bill Moyers.
8. Second Bill Moyers rule. White folks, especially liberal racists here on the Daily Kos and elsewhere, will only believe something is true and appropriate to discuss if a white man like Bill Moyers says it is.
9. Third Bill Moyers rule. Well-documented events, such as horrific violence against black Americans as committed by whites, only occurred if a white person says they did. The white speaker effect is very real in America’s racial discourse.
10. “Class issues” and “real progressive politics” trump any concern about race and racial justice.
11. Daring to talk about the burning to death murder of Muadh al Kasasbeh by ISIS and how it resonates with the burning to death murder of thousands of black people by white Americans is a type of “black racial narcissism”.
12. White supremacists and liberal racists have much in common with their rage at the premise that a black person would dare to talk about white on black lynchings in the United States and ISIS.
13. White supremacists and liberal racists at the Daily Kos channel much the same animus and rage at black folks who tell them things they do not want not want to hear. The former are just more honest; the latter pretty up their racial ugliness just a bit more.
14. Liberal racists—like their Right-wing compatriots—will derail, distract, and obfuscate your claims.
15. Liberal racists—like their Right-wing compatriots—also use standard troll tactics such as picking on one word in a title or other questions of grammar and emphasis to avoid dealing with the facts you have presented.
16. White supremacy’s reflection is very ugly to most white folks—especially those who have not disowned Whiteness.
17. These people are especially upset by the premise that someone like them, in their own immediate family, neighborhood, or other relation could/would have participated in a lynching, owned slaves, or benefitted from an act of inter-personal or institutional white supremacy.
18. Remember that being a victim of white racial terrorism is the present lived experience for non-whites in the United States and elsewhere. These are living memories. And yes, many of the victims of white racial terrorism are still alive.
19. Whiteness is ahistorical: one of the primary advantages of being white in America is the luxury of being an individual unmoored from the past, history, and perpetually living in a bubble of white innocence.
20. If the word “thug” is the new “nigger” then when white folks call a black person “angry”, “combative”, “bitter”, “unhinged”, or “disrespectful” they are channeling the new “uppity”…the latter being a crime that not too long ago could be punished by the lynching tree.
21. Right-wing racists are much more honest, and thus easier to deal with, than liberal racists.
22. At some point in the conversation, white privilege deems that white folks who are unhappy with how a person of color dares to talk about racism will somehow be magically transformed into the real “victims”.
23. The rules for how white supremacy and white racism should be discussed must always be set by white folks so that they can be told what they want to hear, their assumptions about their goodness and innocence validated, and their egos stroked.
24. Racist River Dancing. At some point, a liberal racist, will call you a “nigger” in everything but name. Liberal racists are very good at calling blacks who make them upset “niggers” by using many more than just one efficient word. I grant liberal racists the permission to call me a "nigger" if they are sufficiently aroused to anger. It is much more efficient than the racial river dance--it will also keep their teeth white.
25. Liberal racists at the Daily Kos get very upset when you write an essay that—gasp!—gets attention, goes viral, has many comments, or “hits”. Because of course, the only reason someone writes something online at the Daily Kos is to work in obscurity. Moreover, never be a black or brown person who writes something “popular” and critical about white racism at the Daily Kos. Remember that haters are always gonna hate.

A wise person told me that “the ultimate disrespect is to look at someone and lie to them”. I have, however reluctantly, come to the conclusion that liberal racists prefer lies to the truth. Consequently, they are not worthy of any respect.

If the Daily Kos is indeed a cathedral, many of its members will condemn you, calling thee a heretic if you dare to talk critically about whiteness and white privilege. In many ways, white liberals are of the same faith as white conservatives on matters of justice and the colorline—separated in belief from one another only by virtue of their membership in a different denomination.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/06/1362846/-Liberal-Racism-25-Things-I-Learned-After-I-Wrote-About-ISIS-and-White-Racism-at-the-Daily-Kos

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. I will love this one forever and BTW ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

18. Remember that being a victim of white racial terrorism is the present lived experience for non-whites in the United States and elsewhere. These are living memories. And yes, many of the victims of white racial terrorism are still alive.

[TygrBright]

67. And so are many of the perpetrators.

This resonates for me, recalling the time back in the 1980s, when a black co-worker at one of my very first 'career' jobs (as opposed to selling t-shirts or tending bar,) explained to me why some black people felt more uncomfortable in the Twin Cities than in Alabama or Mississippi.

"Down there," he said "they don't pretend about it. They don't claim they're not racist. They know they are. Some of them are proud of it, most of them don't think about it much, a few of them are ashamed of it. But they don't deny it. Here, everyone pretends they're not racist, and tells us how lucky we are to be here instead of there.

But we still get passed over for promotion, we still get redlined out of the nice neighborhoods, we still get the 'what are you doing here' stare when we're somewhere we're 'not supposed to be.' And when you call someone on their shit, you have to sit through the long explanation about why it isn't shit."

That left the much-younger-me gasping and flailing about for something to respond with. I settled on "thank you," and went away to think about what he'd told me.

And realized that he was correct.

We all carry some kind of privilege knapsack. We just *do.* Every one of us has *some* variety of privilege by virtue of our name, our background, where we were born, where we live now, what color we are, what shape genitalia we have, who we love, what we do, where we went to school, where we work, and dozens of other factors.

If we want to be part of the solution, we have to open up that knapsack, ransack the contents, understand what's in there and why, and make systematic efforts to jettison the most toxic stuff. One of the first things to go should be the "OMG I'm so offended by your assumptions about me" defense mechanism.

wearily,
Bright

[Mr Dixon]

151. Agreed

Very True

[dissentient]

2. Some duers who are complaining about bringing up America's dark racist past desperately need to

read this.

"2. Liberal racists and their allies believe that it is “unnecessary” to comment on the plain on the face fact that black Americans were burned alive in much the same as ISIS did to the captured Jordanian, Muadh al Kasasbeh."

"3. Addendum to the above. The spectacular lynchings of black Americans by white people were “a long time ago” so it should not be discussed anymore lest white people be made uncomfortable. For the White Gaze a long time ago is compressed to 50 years."

[treestar]

8. those who would burn others alive

exist in every group, race, ethnicity, etc. ISIS is the latest. OK, they are no more horrible than the white people who did this to black people, the white aristocrats who did it to lower class white people over heresy, the Indians who burnt up the wives of dead men, etc. All of that sucks. Who said it did not?

[bravenak]

9. We did it recently too.

http://www.democracynow.org/2005/11/17/pentagon_reverses_position_and_admits_u

No one was brought to justice for this crime.

[treestar]

11. Well that sucked, but we still can't let ISIS just do it

I see an effort to avoid another war here? Perhaps people are afraid we will get involved, since ISIS is so horrible and brings up angry desire to retaliate. So the "well we are just as bad" is supposed to mean we can't object to others doing it. But then how do we not end up with it going on forever?

And the US did bad things in the Bush Administration, but most of us objected, and we can still object here. Most of DU no doubt condemned everything Bush did in Iraq, so we can still be outraged at ISIS. There's no logical necessity for us to let it go.

[bravenak]

13. I think the point was for us to stop pretending that Isis is doing the unthinkable.

That we already did the unthinkable too. And going forward we need to stop the attacks from them, without all of the pretense that we are or ever were above that. Outrage is fine, but, we need to look in the mirror too. Just because we don't do it in the name of religion anymore, doesn't mean our 'religion' is better. We still do it.

[treestar]

16. Oh I agree with that

It's a human condition to extreme evil that will occur in any group given the right circumstances.

It is pretty shocking though, and there's no point in denying that. The examples from the Middle Ages only prove we as a society are way past it. We still have bad things, but we don't burn anyone at the stake, or demand there be no education for women (even our wing nuts aren't quite there, well, maybe the ones saying women shouldn't vote, but they aren't considered mainstream). We can admit our faults without having to make them out as just as bad. ISIS is worse. We can admit it. And Boko Haram.

[bravenak]

25. I see what we did as just as bad.

Probably because it was my ancestors in the Middle passage and on plantations, and as the natives being slaughtered in the name of uncle sam and god. And because of the way Jim crow was backed up by religion and we got lynched and burned to death. And the way we still torture innocent people to death in electric chairs, because black people are autimatically guilty, then we unconvict the after their deaths from torture because of DNA.
We barely stopped denying blacks education, we still deny them the right to walk around unmolested, stop and frisk black folks is real and ongoing. 25 percent of us spend time in prison, many innocent, and too poor to afford lawyers, because poor is how america wants us. Just as bad.
We were still being sold after slavery. Still kept in plantations, just as sharecroppers and had to run north for freedom just to be segregated and despised.
We have many faults we try to ignore whike we demonize people and say we aren't as bad, and never were. Yes we were. In some ways we still are. And we used religion as a cudgel too. We say Muslims and Islam need to change instead of realizing its a segment of Islam and that we have segments of Christianity with similar beliefs. We just do more killing and more efficiently and don'r say it's in the name of Christ. Still killed a Million Iraqis. Led by our born again christian president. No wonder they think it's a religious war.

[ND-Dem]

27. what's the unthinkable?

[bravenak]

28. We both know there ain't no such thing.

[Ken Burch]

117. Let me unthink about it and check back with you n/t.

Last edited Sun Feb 8, 2015, 05:28 AM - Edit history (1)

[liberalmike27]

135. Biggest Problem

I see with the "list" above is that you're conflating the word "liberal" and "democratic," a whole lot. You say "liberal racist," and you mean "democratic racist." And you mean that in the "Obamabot" way, that people are supporting the war, probably that would not support it if Bush were still president.

I see this a lot, and I'm working hard to separate the word "liberal" from the democratic party, that has run so far afield of actual democratic party issues.

Class issues are totally intermingled with race issues, by the way. I didn't want to go point by point as it's a long and tedious list. If you pull for more income and wealth equity, certainly black people will benefit.

And all of this, to acknowledge that we all have degrees of racism, and that includes blacks, Hispanics, and Asians as well. Most of the people here don't have "Intent" to be racist. That goes a long way. And most people here, just like anywhere, are brainwashed by the same media, either FOX, or the fake left, MSNBC. A lot of people haven't awakened to the fact that on a lot of issues, these "Two" (fake) fake sides, are both right-wing when it comes to war, just like Dems and Reps are.

So "liberal," needs to separate from "Democratic." These days, not the same--maybe back in FDR days--at least on economic issues. But they were pretty racist too. At least we're trying, here at the DU, and most of us are aware we have "low levels" of latent racism, and are working on it.

[qazplm]

44. that we already did the unthinkable

doesn't mean it's not unthinkable.

We dropped the nuke before too, but that doesn't mean it's all fair game. Different time, and you know folks, cultures, societies and humans grow over time.

Most of the world IS above what ISIS did now. We weren't in the past, but slavery is in the past too for us, does that mean we can't speak out against slavery in the present because we don't have clean hands forever going back?

ISIS is a small group of folks doing very bad things that need to be stopped, and those bad things need to be called out. Seems to me, doing both is a good thing, and we shouldn't discourage doing a good thing simply because bad things were done in the past.

If someone comes along and says, "we'd never ever do that" then fine, remind them of this. Otherwise, I don't see the benefit of every time some other group does something bad, we have to spend time repenting for ill we've done before we can address it.

[bravenak]

47. Never said we can't speak out.

We have living memories of lynchings. Saying it was a long time ago minimizes the terrorist impac it has on black americans. Just saying drop the sanctimony.

[YoungDemCA]

23. How about torturing, raping, and murdering innocent human beings in cold blood?

All because they were of an "inferior" social class, or that they were "three-fifths" of a person, or that they were less "civilized" and more "primitive", all according to the insane and sadistic prejudices of white Americans.

Yeah, white Christian Americans did that, and have done that. Lynchings of black men and women were a favorite pastime in certain parts of the country not 100 years ago. Public spectacles, and whatnot.

Those who fail to learn from history...

[ND-Dem]

26. my question should have been directed to bravenak's post. thanks for your assistance, but i

wanted to understand her meaning of the phrase, not yours.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6193603

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

52. And we make a fatal mistake if we believe all of those white Christian Americans are dead and gone.

[AverageJoe90]

142. Agreed.

TBH, I'd personally argue that ISIS is already the Middle Eastern equivalent of the Klan(along with the Muslim Brotherhood, too!), and has the potential to do much more damage than it already has.

[dissentient]

10. There are people complaining this comparison has even been brought up in the

other thread that this one is referencing. See that thread and you will see the posts.

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. Liberal deflection. One need not tolerate opinions on current events if one knows enough history

Why does the topic of lynching only come up when the context is about muslim extremists?

I think a good response to "ISIS! Someone should do something!" is "Okay, what?". A less good response is a history lesson about the civil rights struggle, because the latter is only a rationale to not talk about current events at all.

[salib]

77. Are you honestly suggesting that we cannot have two thoughts on the atrocity by ISIS?

Is "history lesson about the civil rights struggle" really the *chewing gum* when we are trying to *walk* by giving the "good response" of "ISIS! Someone should do something!"?

I think we are capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. No need to be insulting.

[lumberjack_jeff]

104. I think we are perfectly capable of walking while chewing gum.

The problem is using gum chewing as a rationale for refusal to walk

ISIS actions merit discussion on their own merits.

[salib]

106. Huh?

How did the article say that looking at historical comparisons is a rationale for not "doing something" about ISIS?

How is that even a conclusion independently of the article?

We can do both.

[bravenak]

4. Thanks for posting this.

I read all of the comments over there. No surprise that things on that list popped up in the comments section.

[niyad]

5. k and r and bookmarking

[treestar]

6. So white liberals are worse than the tea party

See number 21. We're still racists, and dishonest to boot.

Take number 17, yeah someone like me has done that, they were like me in that they had white skin.

All 25 sound rather bitter, and most of us are going to deny them all, especially 24.

I guess we should just listen and nod. If we do that, will it be admitted we are getting somewhere? Or will there be a whole new list about how we don't say anything because we don't think it is important? At times I believe being a victim of these things must get so ingrained that it is uncomfortable to think of not being a victim of them.

I can only speak to being female, and even in that I'm not so determined to believe men are so bad that the ones who say they believe in equality are people I'm going to go after as dishonest about it. But then I'm a glass half full type of person, willing to see the rest of it fill up or try to do it rather than be outraged that it isn't already - life is too short.

[Nye Bevan]

12. Yeah, I was surprised when the author praised "right-wing racists" (nt)

[bravenak]

20. They are easier to deal with he said.

[HappyMe]

22. Not praising at all.

Just that they are more easily identified and dealt with.

[treestar]

30. What does deal with mean?

Not getting them to vote for liberals.

[HappyMe]

31. As if a tea party person or any right winger would even consider

voting for a liberal.

Deal with = point out their obvious racisim, explain why it's racism, whatever and however the person feels like approaching that situation at the time.

[treestar]

35. So it's harder to get white liberals to admit they are racists

OK, we are racists too. Now what?

I still voted for Obama, in spite of my racism. I still support the Civil Rights Act, in spite of my racism. Yet it's easier to talk to a white tea partier who would repeal it.

[HappyMe]

37. The whole point of the article was

to point out the goofy premise that 'no liberal or Democrat is a racist' bullshit that gets flung around.

It's easier to talk to a tea partier racist because they are blatant racists. They don't try to hide it or make any excuses for it. Liberals tend to cloak it in a bunch of other 'issues' or they redirect to something else.

[AgingAmerican]

49. The article itself is racist

The article reveals more about the author than anyone else.

[HappyMe]

51. No, it isn't.

It is the truth. Just because you don't like it, doesn't make it false or racist.

Plenty of examples of what is listed there can be seen in any of the white privilege threads we have had here.

[AgingAmerican]

53. Bullshit

Skin color based blanket attacks are racist in every possible case. Even if you agree with them.

[HappyMe]

56. How is this an atttack?

More importantly, why do you personally feel attacked?

I read it, I'm white, and I am not at all offended nor do I feel attacked.

[lunasun]

60. + 1 look no further than DU for examples

[salin]

73. By failing all points of the Bill Moyers test?

[qazplm]

46. there ya go

seems to me this is about making the perfect the enemy of the good in some ways.

Take men and women. Let's assume not one single man is bereft of sexism. Let's assume not one single man can understand how it is to be a woman in the world. Do we then just declare are men misogynists? Of course not, we identify those on the right path, encourage them to continue down that path, and likewise, those on the wrong path, we deal with them as well.

Same with racism, going after liberals as if they are worse than or even equal to right wing racists is ridiculous. And I say this as a black man. I don't have "white guilt." I also don't think someone with an honest heart who is trying to do the right thing needs to be gone after as if they are at best an ignorant racist.

[tblue37]

71. What you say is true, of course, but it is also true that too many people who identify as liberals

nevertheless get their backs up when the topic of white privilege is raised, just as too many liberal men get their backs up if someone dares to mention that male privilege also exists.

I think part of the problem is similar to the problem we face when trying to get creationists to understand that evolutionary theory is settled science, even if there remains some discussion and debate around some of the specific details of how evolution progresses through adaption and natural selection. (For example, Gould's concept of punctuated equilibrium is an argument with traditional notions of slow and steady evolution, but it doesn't deny the reality of evolution.)

But creationists jump on that word "theory," which has one meaning in science and quite another in lay usage. To them, the fact that it is called a "theory" means it is "just" an opinion. (Of course, they wouldn't argue that gravity doesn't exist because the laws governing how gravity acts are part of a "theory.&quot

Similarly, the word "privilege" is taken by many to mean that someone has it quite easy and gets all sorts of undeserved goodies. That is a hard thing to accept when that supposedly "privileged" person is poor, struggling, exploited, and oppressed by those who hold most of the real power and wealth in society. They don't recognize the myriad ways in which they are exempted from suffering even more abuse and oppression than they already experience, simply because they don't also experience the abuse and oppression that are extra add-ons for people of color or for women.

[treestar]

90. Yes, and we should be wiling to correct our mistakes

if we are told of them, if due to ignorance we say something offensive. It's not so impossible we might slip in some way we don't realize. I grew up in a very segregated environment and may be ignorant, and I'm always willing to learn. There has been a lot of progress and it can be acknowledged. President Obama said: "Speaking specifically to young African-Americans, Obama said "if you talk to your parents, grandparents, uncles, they'll tell you that things are better -- not good, in some cases, but better." And that means things can get even better.

[salib]

83. Who is "we" kemosabe?

Are you seriously believing that the author of the article said anything like "So white liberals are worse than the tea party"?

Let's look at just one of the points you identified:
"21. Right-wing racists are much more honest, and thus easier to deal with, than liberal racists."

Now, a reading comprehension test, who is the author saying are more difficult to deal with?
A. Right-wing racists
B. Liberal racists
C. Liberals
D. You

Why do you assume that the answer is (C.) and then by extension (D.)?

[treestar]

91. Didn't he in essence say B?

He is talking about Liberals who he thinks are racists, whereas they don't think they are. I suppose that is "harder to deal with" than right wing racists in getting them to admit to it. But then, right wingers generally resist too. Except for the KKK and those types, other right wingers generally 1 - claim they are not racists; 2 - claim the white liberals are the ones who are racist, 3- go on to the subject of Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and what racists they are. I think you have a better shot at getting a white liberal to admit they might have tinges of racism here and there.

[salib]

94. How did the author say in any way that the answer was B?

I re-read several times. The article does not say all liberals are racists, or liberals are racists, so any such thing. Honestly look at it. Please.

[treestar]

97. Here's some good generalizations

White liberals love to point out the racism of conservatives and republicans.

1. White people are very sensitive.

3. Addendum to the above. The spectacular lynchings of black Americans by white people were “a long time ago” so it should not be discussed anymore lest white people be made uncomfortable.

5. If you want to talk about racism and how black folks were subjected to horrific violence by white people—much of it worse than what ISIS visited upon Muadh al Kasasbeh—during Black History Month, one must get permission from white people first.


16. White supremacy’s reflection is very ugly to most white folks—especially those who have not disowned Whiteness.
17. (I am kind of curious about disowning whiteness - what does that mean?)

And on, but he is talking about white people, including all liberals, racist or not.

[salib]

105. Those are vague generalizations

But, none of them say B.

The main reason I challenged you on this was that I did not read it as being about me. I am white. I am liberal.

Yet somehow you saw that the author assumed B. Why?

[treestar]

136. Are you trapping me into someplace where you can call me a racist?

I am now completely confused by your B, C, etc.

You are trying to make an unflattering conclusion about me based on your own schema.

His sentences clearly refer to white people, period, he doesn't even limit it to racists, liberals, or any other subcategory.

We are, due to white skin, overly sensitive, that's where he starts. He wants us to blame ourselves for what other white people have done.

[salib]

137. Not my intention to set a trap.

But, I have to admit I was quite snide.

Apologize for that. Still, it really struck me when so many here were angered by the article and seemed to take it personally. I read it as referring purely to liberal racists, and perhaps mostly white liberal racists. I thought it good to nudge people a little. But, I probably did not need to be so snide.

[Bobbie Jo]

7. Off to the greatest

Thanks for posting.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

14. #9 The Bill Moyers Rule

Theres someone in another thread trashing Moyers, their words indistinguishable from a garden variety racist Republican piece of shit. I'm hoping that this person is just young and foolish and will one day grow up a little.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

127. If you want to call me a garden variety racist piece of shit have the backbone to say it openly.

Or better yet grab your backbone and your brain and defend Moyers with something better than "Leave Bill Moyers alone!" Which is all you offered.

I stand by every word I wrote. Defend Moyers if you want but don't crawl off to another thread and lob ad hominems and false associations.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

133. I don't recall asking your permission about this or anything else.

It will be a cold day in hell before I take instruction from the likes of you.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

134. "It will be a cold day in hell before I take instruction from the likes of you."

Defend Moyers to the best of your intellectual capabilities. I COMMAND IT!

[ND-Dem]

15. a lot of posters at DU aren't liberals; i assume the same is true at kos. so attributing all racist

views expressed there as the work of liberals is stupid.

[YoungDemCA]

21. On the contrary, many of the worst offenders are proud, self-described "liberals" or "progressives"

This No True Scotsm...er, Liberal line of thinking may help us sleep at night, but it only white-washes (pun intended) the issue of racism among white liberals.

[ND-Dem]

29. since in general, we don't know who people posting on the internet actually are, or what they

actually believe, or whose interests they actually serve -- regardless of how the label themselves online, we simply don't know what you claim we do.

you, for example, could be a right wing republican posing as a democrat.

[YoungDemCA]

17. K&R.

[Egnever]

19. .

[Darb]

24. That's a bunch of bullshit.

In my opinion. So I must be a liberal racist who cannot face my own history, or whatever is the premise of this drivel.

[valerief]

32. If the shoe fits.

[AgingAmerican]

86. And if the shoe doesn't fit...

Sit down, shut up, and sit still while we gleefully try to force the shoe onto your foot regardless!

[kelliekat44]

122. If the shoe doesn't fit, why be angry?

[AgingAmerican]

139. You mistake disgust for anger

nt

[HappyMe]

33. Nice drivelish bullshit you posted there.

[salib]

84. Why do you assume this about yourself?

Did you fail the Moyer's test or something?

[JaneyVee]

34. I've never met a liberal racist.

[AgingAmerican]

40. According to the article

They are easy to spot. Their skin is white.

[salib]

85. How does the article say liberal racists are white?

[BrotherIvan]

50. I sure have

They don't even know it. I have also met plenty of homophobic, misogynists, ageist "liberals" as well. Lots and lots of them. For them liberalism is an abstract and they won't sacrifice a single ounce of their money/comfort/privilege to help another.

[AverageJoe90]

141. Me neither. In fact, I'd even argue that.....

Genuine modern liberals cannot be racist, by virtue of the very philosophy itself!

[lovemydog]

36. Huge k & r

[handmade34]

38. ...

[AgingAmerican]

39. "Right-wing racists are much more honest, and thus easier to deal with, than liberal racists"

"I have, however reluctantly, come to the conclusion that liberal racists prefer lies to the truth"

This article is, at best, a steaming pile of racist dog shit.

[bravenak]

41. ~

22. At some point in the conversation, white privilege deems that white folks who are unhappy with how a person of color dares to talk about racism will somehow be magically transformed into the real “victims”.

[AgingAmerican]

43. More skin color based racist nonsense

Haters gonna hate

[bravenak]

45. ~

1. White people are very sensitive. Many of them get very upset and angry when you tell the truth about racism, white supremacy, or white privilege. Never speak plainly and directly to liberal racists. They may wilt.

[giftedgirl77]

57. It's always the one's that cry foul the loudest.

Like we don't see the shit day in & day out on this board from fellow "liberals".

[bravenak]

61. Ain't that the truth.

I felt it coming and it was who and what I Expected. So predictable.

[Number23]

96. Girl... I even paged bravenak to this thread before I realized she'd already seen it

She (along with just about every other person of color here) has seen firsthand what happens when black folks here try to talk about the really obvious, blatant stuff that we see white people, particularly white liberals, doing. She was even the recipient of an epic, mega whine thread in direct response to her that got hundreds of recs even though it COMPLETELY distorted what she'd said in order to gain proper sympathy from the good folks here. Needless to say, that it was an eye opening experience, and I think particularly for her.

And what's so bad about it is that bravenak is FAR more conciliatory than some of the rest of us are. Got sent a link where one of the biggest assholes here invited her to their summer home or some shit because she's one of the 'good ones' and I guess they wanted her to be the only blackling here that would play with them. A lot of us are just like the person in the OP, we are so done trying to pretend to respect people that are just utterly counterproductive and clueless and seem ever so proud of that.

It's always the one's that cry foul the loudest.

Ain't THAT the damn truth.

[giftedgirl77]

99. Oh I know bravenak, here & I are pretty close in age... I stopped biting my tongue on the

racism that goes on around here.

B has gotten some of the nastiest of it here from alleged liberals, sometimes this place is so hypocritical it borders on insane.

[Number23]

101. Heh... you've only been here since 2013 and you've ALREADY stopped biting your tongue

If that doesn't say something about the calibre of racial discussion and many of the participants here, I don't know what will.

And fwiw, I'm damn glad that you've stopped biting your tongue. That might piss some people off and you may not get invitations to some people's houses, but I have a feeling you won't be missing one damn thing.

[giftedgirl77]

102. Well TBH I was never very good at holding my tongue

in the first place but I'll be damned if I'm just going to sit back quietly while people disparage large swaths of people just because of who we are. People need to be schooled.

[freshwest]

87. I have never lost sight of this truth from childhood:

6. The idea that white people who benefit in the present from systems of material advantage and other unearned privileges, outcomes that are the direct result of racial terrorism against non-whites, should “own” their history, is very upsetting and provocative to white folks. Never forget that White America and White Americans are a people and a country without a history.

I've said before, that white people have no culture or history on this continent, just what is commerically sold to them over the years. It's not self-loathing on my part to say we are one of the most imitative ethnic groups on the planet. It's a survival trait, to change with the times and go with whatever is working.

It's not a culture, although it once had one during the progressive era as I call it that called for total equality. Europe has one that is united or now it is several. America was a commercial from start and people buy whatever's being sold, and it's really ugly now and in other parts of our history too.

I've 'owned' the benefit of being white in America and elsewhere. But denial is so pervasive, I can't say that I do any good when I talk about it to others. and I cannot get through to baggers and libertarians.

My perspective of 'we come into this world with nothing, and will leave the same way' is inadequate to describe centuries of privilege. No matter what else myself or my family or my offspring suffer, we had advantage, it was not given freely, but taken from others.

Realizing that, people fall back on their philosophy in order to continue being comforted:

10. “Class issues” and “real progressive politics” trump any concern about race and racial justice.

I always like Chauncey's viewpoints, and I'm sick of the adulation of Bill Moyers, personally.

But as to ISIS, I agree with this man, and paragraphed the items he said. What he describes here is NO DIFFERENT from what has been done here, except for the time factor and that lives could be saved now.

That's what I think is important despite what has happened - and will still happen - here. Which savagery do we focus on - are we put in a position to say that it doesn't matter, even though these peoples have directly begged for our support?

I would like to learn from your discernment on this:

eissa (2,959 posts)

10. YES! Thank you, well said

As I've stated before, I belong to a minority community that is indigenous to Mesopotamia (Assyrians.) They are on the frontlines of the ISIS terror in both Iraq and Syria. The Iraq wars already forced most of them to flee their homelands, now these savages have turned their sights on them, and the daily terror they live with is incomprehensible to most of us.

Bringing up Vietnam means nothing when your female relatives are too afraid to leave the house lest they be kidnapped and forced into a camp where they will be repeatedly raped by these monsters.

Mentioning the Inquisition is worthless when your son and his friends are dragged into the streets and executed for watching a soccer game on tv. The Inquisition?

Tell that to the families who were forced to watch their children beheaded or buried alive for the sin of not belonging to the right religious group.

These false equivalencies are insulting. Everyone has acknowledged the wrongs done in the past; to tie them to the barbarity displayed by these animals is only furthering the agenda of ISIS.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026184879#post10

I was very moved by what eissa had to say, just as I have been when given the opportunity to hear what minorities in the USA say and what we were once taught in our public school history books.

The public school I attended during the 'progressive' era did not hide history from us, and made sure we understood how horrific racism is. What is being taught now with all the distortions I read about here on DU in the text books, is not going to move us forward. Hope you will have time to cudgel out where I'm going with this. If you think I am right or wrong. I've been very sick for over a week and may not have expressed it well.

JHMO.

[bravenak]

88. The problem with her statement is the fact that we deny they things we do and did.

And we get very sanctimonious about it. Everytime we pretend that this is the worst thing ever, and that they are not human for doing it, upsets people right here at home who have relatives who were burned to death by christians in America with the Sherrif watching. We pretend our motives for murder and violence are and were better than theirs. Of course omething needs to be done. Just without all of the lies and self congradulatory sanctimony.
And the uproar about the president even mentioning Jim Crow is insane. Thousands of Anericans lynched until 1968, and this is the worst thing ever? We are pretening we are th good ones again. There are no good ones in war and violence. We did white phosphorous ten years go, they're using gasoline now. Their fighters are raping girls. Our soldiers raped girls. We don't do slavery anymore, they do. We lock millions of men in slave like conditions in our prison plantations and call it legal and right because we use a rigged court system to cull our undesireables. They sell theirs for cash. Humans are fucked up. We need to keep talking about what we did wrong before, so we don't gung ho ourselves into slaughtering a bunch of people and continuing the cycle. We demand justice and the muslim world to change and speak out, but we absolve ourselves of the million Iraqis we killed, raped and burned to death.

[Spider Jerusalem]

118. I dunno, I think that white people have a culture and history, but it's not monolithic.

"White" isn't an ethnic group but several different ethnic groups with their own cultures and histories (the fabled "melting pot" aside). The culture and history of the descendants of 19th century Russian and Polish immigrants in a Pennsylvania coal-mining town is very different to the culture and history of the descendants of 17th century colonists in New England or Virginia or the culture and history of the descendants of Forty-Niners and Okies in California. You can't really treat all white people as interchangeable. And some white American cultures are problematic; the cultural history of the South, for instance, is one of the legacy of racism and white supremacy and the myth of the "Lost Cause" of the Confederacy. That isn't all that it is, but it's a very significant part of it; the North doesn't get a pass, though, considering that it was Southern slave labour and Southern cotton that funded the Industrial Revolution.

[Ken Burch]

119. You could almost get a drinking game started based on the predictable defensive responses. n/t.

[bravenak]

129. Yep. It happens the same way every time.nt

[HappyMe]

54. You seem incredibly (and I would say unreasonably)

put off by this. Why?

[AgingAmerican]

59. Do you know what a 'Strawman fallacy' is?

Do you know what racial bigotry is?

Do the math yourself?

[HappyMe]

63. I call bullshit on that.

You are the only person here vehemently against this, and are apparently your white self is peeved about this. I'm white, how come I'm not squawking 'racism'?

Now, how would you like to feel discriminated against every damn day. Not a good feeling, huh?

[AgingAmerican]

66. I am against blanket attacks

of racism leveled against groups of folks based upon their skin color.

It isn't that hard to understand.

The article is one big racist 'strawman' fallacy.

[HappyMe]

68. It shouldn't be hard for you to understand

that the OP is not an attack.

Racist against white people? Oh noes, us poor put-upon white people.

I think the reason your feathers are all ruffled because some of that in the OP cuts a bit too close.

[bravenak]

70. Bull.

You just don't want it talked about. It seems to upset you every time it's brought up. I remember you calling me names about an aritcle I posted last year about white privilege. You were angry then too.

23. The rules for how white supremacy and white racism should be discussed must always be set by white folks so that they can be told what they want to hear, their assumptions about their goodness and innocence validated, and their egos stroked.

[HappyMe]

72. It sucks that some won't fucking listen.

Racism is something that has to be constantly worked on. The best thing is to listen and read, let black people speak, listen more, and accept your shit and work on it some more.

[bravenak]

75. The derailment happens every time.

I used to get upset. Now its just a tragic comedy.

[AgingAmerican]

79. Hate is hate, period

All hatred should be publicly flogged. Especially racial hatred. If you disagree with that, then it is hopeless talking to you about it any longer.

You have yourself a wonderful day!

[bravenak]

81. I will.

You should re read the list. You exhibit many symptoms.

[AgingAmerican]

138. Symptoms of what?

Are you accusing me of something? If so, please give some details.

Thanks in advance.

[bravenak]

144. Have a heart.nt

[AgingAmerican]

145. Awwww

Thank you!

[bravenak]

146. .

[bravenak]

65. 👑

23. The rules for how white supremacy and white racism should be discussed must always be set by white folks so that they can be told what they want to hear, their assumptions about their goodness and innocence validated, and their egos stroked.

[lovemydog]

120. I think claiming it's a 'Strawman fallacy'

is creating your own strawman.

It's not math. It's someone's reality.

[radicalliberal]

42. Make no mistake about it.

There now is a movement to whitewash the terrible history of Jim Crow. This movement is led by conservatives, of course. As the old saying goes, those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.

[Jefferson23]

48. Highly recommend.n/t

[G_j]

55. Love Me, I'm a Liberal

Love Me, I'm a Liberal
Song by Phil Ochs


I cried when they shot Medgar Evers
Tears ran down my spine
I cried when they shot Mr. Kennedy
As though I'd lost a father of mine

But Malcolm X got what was coming
He got what he asked for this time
So love me, love me
Love me, I'm a liberal

I go to civil rights rallies
And I put down the old D.A.R.
I love Harry and Sidney and Sammy
I hope every colored boy becomes a star

But don't talk about revolution
That's going a little bit too far
So love me, love me
Love me, I'm a liberal

I cheered when Humphrey was chosen
My faith in the system restored
And I'm glad the commies were thrown out
Of the A.F.L. C.I.O. board

I love Puerto Ricans and Negros
As long as they don't move next door
So love me, love me
Love me, I'm a liberal

The people of old Mississippi
Should all hang their heads in shame
I can't understand how their minds work
What's the matter don't they watch Les Crain?

But if you ask me to bus my children
I hope the cops take down your name
So love me, love me
Love me, I'm a liberal

Yes, I read New republic and Nation
I've learned to take every view
You know, I've memorized Lerner and Golden
I feel like I'm almost a Jew

But when it comes to times like Korea
There's no one more red, white and blue
So love me, love me
Love me, I'm a liberal

I vote for the democratic party
They want the U.N. to be strong
I attend all the Pete Seeger concerts
He sure gets me singing those songs

And I'll send all the money you ask for
But don't ask me to come on along
So love me, love me
Love me, I'm a liberal

Sure once I was young and impulsive
I wore every conceivable pin
Even went to the socialist meetings
Learned all the old union hymns

Ah, but I've grown older and wiser
And that's why I'm turning you in
So love me, love me
Love me, I'm a liberal

[johnp3907]

64. "Ten degrees to the left of center in good times...

...Ten degrees to the right of center if it affects them personally."

[hfojvt]

58. black people are very stupid

Never speak plainly and directly to black racists. They may just fly into an incomprehensible rage.

What?

I am assuming now that sweeping generalizations about races are all good. They're not? Then what about the OP?

"White people are very sensitive. Many of them get very upset and angry when you tell the truth about racism, white supremacy, or white privilege. Never speak plainly and directly to liberal racists. They may wilt."

I dunno, am I just a white person being too sensitive to a double standard?

Or making some stupid claim about reverse racism in general?

No, I am just calling out what I see as a fairly immediate and egregious sweeping generalization.

Finally I would note to anybody who is offended by the statement in my reply title above, that it is clearly NOT meant as "something I believe" nor as something anybody should believe.

Unlike the statement in the OP, which is apparently applause worthy to some, or part of an applause worthy essay.

[bravenak]

62. You seem upset.

[lunasun]

69. Reasons to be unhappy : 14, 15 & 22 . Perhaps a nod to some others listed

[La Lioness Priyanka]

74. This is absolutely false equivalence and ignores

Hundreds of years of history. Such nonsensical bullshit and typical of you.

[Number23]

100. Nothing could be sweeter than someone leaping up and unintentionally highlighting in the most

spectacular fashion precisely why this post was needed as well as the behavior being discussed.

I'd try to pinpoint which numbers you've beautifully illustrated with your embarrassingly stupid post but I think every last one is applicable in this case.

[wellst0nev0ter]

128. Oh No, Don't Stop, I'm On My Way To A Grab Bag

[img][/img]

[ScreamingMeemie]

76. I find it interesting the number of replies that pick one number or another to get upset with

and thus rip the author to shreds over...

Is the article uncomfortable to read? Heck yeah.... Is the author wrong? Heck no.

[ismnotwasm]

78. Kick and Recommended

[malaise]

80. MUST READ

Rec

[giftedgirl77]

82. K&R for being absolutely right...

[guillaumeb]

89. Another outstanding post

Racism is the foundation of the American Empire. It has never gone away. When people state that lynching is a thing of the past, remind them that a black man had a chain wrapped around his neck and was dragged to death for the crime of walking while black in an area designated as white only. No there were no signs saying white only, there do not have to be. Did it happen 100 years ago? No, it happened in 2008 in Paris Texas. Recent enough for you? Lynching without the tree is what it was.

The American Empire needed slavery to grow, so an excuse had to be manufactured as to why it was okay, sanctioned by God, good even, to enslave black Africans. Americans used the same logic to nearly commit genocide against the First Peoples of this land. Again, okay to do this because they were not white.

The fact of white privilege is so obvious it should not need explaining, but denying white privilege is necessary because by denying it makes it easier to put racism, slavery, and lynching in the prehistoric past.

White privilege means that I can walk, drive, shop, go anywhere without people around me asking what I am doing HERE. If I walk in a store the owner will not automatically assume I am there to steal. If I look at a for-sale house the neighbors will not worry that I might bring down the neighborhood if I buy the house.

I do not have to straighten my curly hair to appeal to society's view of desirable looks. It is okay for a white person to have curly hair.
Racism is in the air, it motivates our politicians. Think of Gingrich's comment about the food stamp President.

[Number23]

92. 10. “Class issues” and “real progressive politics” trump any concern about race and racial justice.

DAMN I could not rec this fast enough. The entire list is SPOT ON but that one is just the cat's meow.

We've all seen the loud, bloviating, clueless fools that do this here. And these same folks and their cronies wonder why so many black people and clued in whites have no time for their stupidity, insensitivity and ignorance and never will.

And number 13 makes me want to throw my fist in the air at its realness:

13. White supremacists and liberal racists at the Daily Kos channel much the same animus and rage at black folks who tell them things they do not want not want to hear. The former are just more honest; the latter pretty up their racial ugliness just a bit more.

[Number23]

93. Oh my God, Number 22!!!!

22. At some point in the conversation, white privilege deems that white folks who are unhappy with how a person of color dares to talk about racism will somehow be magically transformed into the real “victims”.

Paging bravenak! Bravenak please come to reception!

I am screaming at the number of times this has happened on this very web site. But have never ONCE been surprised that it happened nor at the people that engaged in this behavior though.

[bravenak]

95. Happened upthread almost immediately.

Surprise!!!

[gollygee]

98. Plain speaking

I love it when people just say what needs to be said without tiptoeing around.

[sheshe2]

103. Chauncey Devega

Nailed it perfectly. Pitch perfect.

#23. The rules for how white supremacy and white racism should be discussed must always be set by white folks so that they can be told what they want to hear, their assumptions about their goodness and innocence validated, and their egos stroked.

Yep, well done Chauncey. Thanks Don, I love reading that man.

[betsuni]

107. An excellent list!

"Right-wing racists are much more honest, and thus easier to deal with, than liberal racists." You can say that again. They have huge helium-inflated egos and consider themselves highly intelligent (really one of the reasons they're not Republicans is that Bush made it too embarrassing). They take pride in applying a sort of moronic logic against which there is no defense. Stubborn, must have the last word. A thread will not end until he has the last word. They are talented nitpickers and can obsess about a word or phrase for a surprising length of time. One of my favorites is how they demand to know what you're going to do about the topic under discussion: "What now?" The moronic logic being that nothing can be discussed until the problem is solved ... or something. The liberal racist is an interesting type of Angry White Man.

[madfloridian]

108. Is there anyway now that we can be considered not racist?

I have been reading that if we deny it, then we really are.

If I point out ways I have taken stands, then I am sounding superior apparently.

I have noticed that I better not say I have friends who are African American, in fact I still keep in touch with some teachers after retirement. We truly cared for and respected each other. But if I say it out loud it's a sign of pandering or something.

Is there anyway that not every white person has hidden racism?

I don't even know how to respond to posts like this anymore.

I can't deny I am racist, that's the worst of all. Apparently if we deny it then we really really are.

Some of us just are what we are. Our skin is a different color, but our thinking is kind and appreciate of all skin colors.

Posts like this appear (guess I will be corrected if I am wrong) to assume that those who are white are racist.

I very much disagree with that premise.

[Enrique]

109. so some people didn't agree with his essay

that means they're racist. I guess that could be a good way to get people to say they agree with you, so that they don't get called racist.

[lovemydog]

121. How about saying how you specifically disagree

with his essay?

[uppityperson]

110. I hesitate to give my opinion because I will be asked why I take this personally or am upset

However, that sort of fear rarely stops me so here you go.

There are a lot of truths there, but also some that I disagree with.

"1. White people are very sensitive. Many of them get very upset and angry when you tell the truth about racism, white supremacy, or white privilege. Never speak plainly and directly to liberal racists. They may wilt. "

I refuse to be placed in a category of being "very sensitive" because of the color of my skin. I am glad that the author mostly uses "liberal racists" as that is another matter.

Not going to go number by number, because there are indeed truths there and too many are not aware of their own prejudgments, which we all have, and too many bad things have been done to other people, overtly and covertly in the past and continue in the present.

Finally, I apologize for not knowing the background of all this on DU, have not been reading here much recently and am sorry if I am missing, which I know I must be, the background here.

[hunter]

112. Brilliant essay.

Kicked and recommended.

It's wonderful how some of the replies here perfectly illustrate the problem!

[Number23]

113. "It's wonderful how some of the replies here perfectly illustrate the problem!"

Ain't that the truth!

[lovemydog]

114. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.

[Adrahil]

115. Lots of good stuff. Not comfortable with generalizations.

Excellent points presented provocatively. But I'm not comfortable with the general comments made about "white folks" as if we are a monolithic people. Also, how do you criticize "whiteness?" I was born white.... I can't see any reason to be criticized for that. Criticize white privilege? Sure, but "whiteness?"

Maybe I misunderstand the point.

[Behind the Aegis]

116. It isn't just racism that is the problem either.

Liberals, and especially some of those who identify themselves as progressives, have a real issue with discussing their own biases, and, in some cases, bigotry. In that list, the most common one I am seeing now:

10. “Class issues” and “real progressive politics” trump any concern about race and racial justice.

BOOM goes the dynamite! Just the other day I brought up this point in a thread. It is a form of minimization of racism and racial issues. There isn't a single AA poster at this site who hasn't experienced racism in his/her life, the degrees may vary, but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts, every single one has had some experience with racism against themselves, not to mention the racism they witness. This point is yet another example of white privilege; it is defining racism and the AA experience from the white perspective! It isn't relegated to white people telling black folk what isn't racist, but also what is racist. Instead of racism being an issue facing AA people, it becomes a WPP (white people's problem) which requires white people to help African-Americans understand what real racism is (or isn't) with little or no input from those who are actually the victims of it.

21. Right-wing racists are much more honest, and thus easier to deal with, than liberal racists.

This is also quite true. I have often seen white liberals/progressives tell a joke/write a story and think it is funny because they believe it is satirizing racism, when, in reality, they are using it to "be funny". Here's a clue fellow white people: if you tell a joke/tell a story, and the only people laughing/high-fiving your wit are WHITE people, you probably are saying something racist or, in the very least, saying something racially insensitive. Sure, there will always be some who make things into issues or bigger than they are, but many times, I find it is actually the majority (in this case, white) people making those claim. What does that mean? The "race card" is played more by white people, than it is ever "played" by POC.

Are all white people racists? No, I don't think so. Biased? This is certainly more possible. Prejudiced? Yes, we all are...even those who aren't white. The issue is what you do with those prejudices and biases which will determine if you are a bigot.

Discussions of racism not only require, but demand, that the persons affected be included and heard.

[lovemydog]

123. Yes. Opening up discussion

rather than closing it off.

[kelliekat44]

124. Nice. And i would say that the issue is really what you have the POWER to do with those prejudices.

The "powerless" can do little with their prejudices except to have them and maybe make other uncomfortable.
Those with power can and often do use their prejudices to negatively affect the lives of those "others" with really serious, life and livelihood consequences.

[LostOne4Ever]

125. In regards to number 10

[font style="font-family:papyrus,'Brush Script MT','Infindel B',fantasy;" size=4 color=teal]I swear I have seen that here on DU before. Usually some poster, making some subtle implication that progressive politics would have been far more advanced had the left focused more on economic issues and less on social issues.

Every time I read something along those lines I have to fight to keep myself from vomiting.

Fighting to end racism and sexism was worth it; and, I would not align myself with any movement that would sacrifice an entire race or sex for an economic equality just for the privileged. That is not egalitarianism, but rather its antithesis. [/font]

[grahamhgreen]

126. "Liberal Racist"? Sounds like "Republican Re-framing".

Last edited Sun Feb 8, 2015, 11:05 AM - Edit history (1)

[Thespian2]

130. Profound presentation

of a current problem for all people. The past cannot change, but the future should.

[butterfly77]

131. Chris the host.

on Fox news Sunday said because this country is fighting ISIL the President should not let these words about religion or crusades come out of his mouth and then he and a general began discussing the evils of their religion..

Then they went back to Eisenhower and the Nazis. They really "Can't handle the truth!" HYPOCRITICAL LYING BASTARDS!

[DesertDiamond]

132. This. Is. GREAT!!! Thank you for this totally spot-on analysis. I will be rereading it

to help me in dialogues, especially with my fellow white folks. Thank you for taking the time and effort!

[marym625]

143. K&R

[SMC22307]

147. Garbage. I stopped at number 5.

5. If you want to talk about racism and how black folks were subjected to horrific violence by white people—much of it worse than what ISIS visited upon Muadh al Kasasbeh—during Black History Month, one must get permission from white people first. This is especially true during Black History Month because black folks tend to get too confident and back sass white folks during those 28 days.

A man was burned alive locked in a fucking cage. It's not a contest.

Yet another OP trashing white liberals. Yawn.

[Jamaal510]

148. It's up to the racists on both sides of the spectrum

to make racism go away. Intolerance and an unfair playing field will not go away if people ignore it or stop discussing it. As long as this problem persists, there will continue to be a necessity for things such as Black History Month and Voting Rights.

[JustAnotherGen]

149. Kick

Because we should be able to have a conversation without people needing the smelling salts.

[etherealtruth]

150. Aside from the pearl clutching it is a good conversation!

In my mind, looking at the "recs" and most of the posters (posters not posts) people are engaging in some introspection and assessment of the world around them.

I am not understanding how some can acknowledge that our society is racist .... but somehow they have not been impacted by the world around them ....? When you live in a society that institutional racism has been such a large part of ... you have to acknowledge it and work really hard to undo the messages the society, at large, has sent. Denying it only strengthens the status quo.

I am grateful for this OP and the discussion it created.

[Mr Dixon]

152. IMO

I would categorize this piece as a rehash of history and not just US history, I mean world history. The conduct of the US is not so different from the Roman Empire or any other Empire for that matter they all had slaves and a supposed Lower class of people. I conclude that this a fact of human nature, the need or aspiration too rule over other people. Every Society has or will engage in this madness, even as we evolve into a more civilized version of people, we still drag with us the need to rule over others. Slavery re branded as poor people, there is still a sex trade in 2015, debt slaves which would be most of us, there are still guards protecting the castles we just call them the police. There are still to sets of laws, one for the rich and the laws for everyone else. We have evolved beyond the physical restraints only to be mentally imprisoned