General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Here's a list of people Tara Reade has accused of assault or harassment. [View all]SinisterPants
(89 posts)Discrimination and prejudice happens everywhere, in every race and social position. As naked apes we are hard-wired to fear and mistrust the other or the different, and that's a bitch to unlearn (after 60 years, I'm still unlearning things I was told were true). And yes, white people can (very seldom) be victims of it.
Racism, OTOH, is structural and power based. It's mainly from the top down, and it's entire aim is to disenfranchise an entire group of people. White people living in the western world are pretty much incapable of being victims of racism.
Discrimination is saying "I don't like living next to you because of your race, or religion. or sexuality." It's sad, but unavoidable, and I've been the victim of it a few times. This can usually be solved by education and honest reflection
Racism is saying "I'll make sure you never get a home loan or a promotion, I'll make sure you're kids go to crap schools", and the police will automatically treat you like a suspect. It's almost always structural, and needs a concerted effort to dismantle.
As white allies to communities of color, we all need to reflect on how we've benefited from privilege, how our silence at times makes us complicit, and MOST IMPORTANT! Not thinking that we have all the answers.