General Discussion

Eleanors38

(18,318 posts)

208. The questions I have asked often go unanswered:

Wed May 14, 2014, 08:31 AM

May 2014

I suppose because a "yes" (for #1) might imply: "why change course by bringing up WP?", or "No" might imply (since guilt-tripping whites has been around since Sly & the Family Stone) WP checking doesn't work.

I agree about the 1%.

What puzzles me, and what is missed in these discussions is the white folks often will concede (as I do) to some racism; you cannot be raised without some of the institutionalism aspects rubbing off, and without "stepping in it" on occasion. One in a while, white folks will remind each other of it, try to junk that aspect & behavior, and move on. The main thing is to try to do better, as groups and induviduals. In rare situations, I have had to leave a friend or acquaintance behind because they couldn't or wouldn't leave something behind. I dare say, it's happened to me.

Here we are again, 50 yrs later! Thanks for the discussion.

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As a white male I am blamed for all the ills of society [View all] Harmony Blue May 2014 OP

I feel so sorry for you. ret5hd May 2014 #1

Growing up a white male in a poor family... Buddyblazon May 2014 #170

Did you ever have to kill your own food? Scootaloo May 2014 #198

The ol' "One Upper"... Buddyblazon May 2014 #204

Nobody here hates you for being white Scootaloo May 2014 #219

+1000000 Jamastiene May 2014 #272

GASP! You had to pay rent while going to college? Jamastiene May 2014 #276

lol Whisp May 2014 #2

Hold on. I've got something here BainsBane May 2014 #3

+ infinity nomorenomore08 May 2014 #143

I get the impression that he doesn't aid or care for others and wonders why others forsake him. TheBlackAdder May 2014 #250

Yeah, but this one is a change of pace BainsBane May 2014 #252

That reply said quite a lot in so few words. nt TheBlackAdder May 2014 #255

Redefining "the white man's burden"? mulsh May 2014 #4

He who can, must. Sheepshank May 2014 #5

Well speaking a a white man, we seem to have caused all the ills of society. William769 May 2014 #6

Yeah, I suppose we did cause this Boka Haram kidnapping didn't we? CANDO May 2014 #33

Well we damn sure didn't stop it now did we? William769 May 2014 #34

No... but we damn sure did use it to reinforce and validate our petulance LanternWaste May 2014 #38

Post removed Post removed May 2014 #46

Extremist groups, including Islamist groups, in impoverished tblue37 May 2014 #95

EXACTLY laundry_queen May 2014 #155

Every now and then my teaching gene presses me into explaining tblue37 May 2014 #215

I was going to point that out; but, ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2014 #265

I used to enjoy a bit of melodramatic self-martyrdom too. LanternWaste May 2014 #7

I suppose we all might feel "petulant and under-appreciated" from time to time. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #145

Awwww..... Sheldon Cooper May 2014 #8

+1 nomorenomore08 May 2014 #146

I guess you don't know the Irish weren't considered white BainsBane May 2014 #9

"I guess you don't know the Irish weren't considered white" TBH, I think that was actually part..... AverageJoe90 May 2014 #26

No, Feral Child May 2014 #40

That's the opposite of the point he was trying to make. cyberswede May 2014 #49

It's performance art, right? redqueen May 2014 #50

Why else do you think he posted the link on Irish Americans? AverageJoe90 May 2014 #54

He was trying to point out that white people have been discriminated against cyberswede May 2014 #56

Dude below, I'm half Irish BainsBane May 2014 #59

And that actually has happened. The treatment of the Irish was a great example of that. AverageJoe90 May 2014 #60

They weren't discriminated against because they were white... cyberswede May 2014 #63

"They weren't discriminated against because they were white..." That's not what I said, though. AverageJoe90 May 2014 #70

I didn't say you said it... cyberswede May 2014 #76

Well, okay then. AverageJoe90 May 2014 #79

At most, it's white people being discriminated against *by white people*. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #148

many help wanted Niceguy1 May 2014 #64

...because they weren't perceived as "white." nt cyberswede May 2014 #65

No, they were discriminated against BainsBane May 2014 #134

the irish were considered Niceguy1 May 2014 #201

You want unity, listen to those who live the experiences instead of boston bean May 2014 #210

Your version of unity is one that ignores an already existing divide BainsBane May 2014 #212

white people wrote those signs. or should I say whiter people, because that is what the belief was. bettyellen May 2014 #217

It's damn. Just damn. BainsBane May 2014 #133

LOL ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2014 #266

How so? He's trying to downplay the history of racism in America by going "See? White people have nomorenomore08 May 2014 #147

Post removed Post removed May 2014 #39

What a steaming load of bollocks. riqster May 2014 #10

I have to take issue with a part of what you wrote ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2014 #269

We are, among white people. riqster May 2014 #281

Please take this as educational ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2014 #284

I'd say none of these distinctions are based on race. riqster May 2014 #285

While I appreciate your opinion ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2014 #286

I hear you. I am not advocating some sort of dehumanizing loss of uniqueness. riqster May 2014 #287

Okay ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2014 #291

Thanks to you as well for tolerating my unorthodox POV. riqster May 2014 #292

It's called ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2014 #296

Indeed. And all too rare in these times. riqster May 2014 #297

I neglected to mention, I am a big proponent of the third option. riqster May 2014 #298

Absolutely ... 1StrongBlackMan May 2014 #299

^THIS. Jamastiene May 2014 #273

Wow, if only white men could be in charge of something Lex May 2014 #11

Brilliant! riqster May 2014 #30

I might have to embroider this on a pillow TorchTheWitch May 2014 #68

Posting in adoration! Starry Messenger May 2014 #71

OK you just made this thread worth reading gollygee May 2014 #72

You win the internet :) Marrah_G May 2014 #77

+1 uponit7771 May 2014 #101

well, some do think everything was great until the black guy got there and now things are the worst JI7 May 2014 #119

I love how people purposefully miss the point adigal May 2014 #124

So let me get this right. Lex May 2014 #135

You are so very welcome! adigal May 2014 #267

So at best, you could say they've (partially) cleaned up their own messes... n/t nomorenomore08 May 2014 #149

I don't agree that white men solve most of the problems Harmony Blue May 2014 #205

Not sure to what you are referring adigal May 2014 #268

This is the point at which somebody inevitably says... Hippo_Tron May 2014 #138

Yeah! Make it so! Oh, wait....... Nay May 2014 #140

Or, if white men could just .... 1StrongBlackMan May 2014 #270

LoL. myrna minx May 2014 #12

hmm... a little cheez to go with your whine: chervilant May 2014 #13

Historically, and presently in some circles, white men are the cause of a lot of problems. NuclearDem May 2014 #14

^^^^^ Iggo May 2014 #24

Well stated. Thanks wavesofeuphoria May 2014 #100

But what you wrote here hfojvt May 2014 #106

How about what some white people do in the present? Donald Sterling, sadly, is likely not nomorenomore08 May 2014 #150

I feel like I'm watching Fox News. Ed Suspicious May 2014 #15

+1 redqueen May 2014 #20

The OP made me LOL, but your comment has me ROFLMAO! boston bean May 2014 #22

I'm hoping this is one of those "last gasp" things I have heard about.... bettyellen May 2014 #16

I don't think anyone expects you to solve all the problems of this society, stage left May 2014 #17

This message was self-deleted by its author Demo_Chris May 2014 #18

No, you're not. Iggo May 2014 #19

this white man has no power to cause any ills leftyohiolib May 2014 #21

You're neither blamed as an individual nor charged with solving the problems. Gormy Cuss May 2014 #23

Thanks for trying, once again. boston bean May 2014 #27

I have a couple of questions: Eleanors38 May 2014 #48

In many cases, it's the angry refusal to believe. PeaceNikki May 2014 #52

1) It's the message. Gormy Cuss May 2014 #61

This has gone on for decades. Any improvement? Eleanors38 May 2014 #62

Not with those who would like to deny it. boston bean May 2014 #66

Maybe the methodology needs to change. Eleanors38 May 2014 #90

Yeah, I am when people are hurting others. I want to deny them from hurting others any longer. boston bean May 2014 #91

We can certainly keep them away from progressive discussion boards. If we really want to. n/t nomorenomore08 May 2014 #151

Well we don't have separate bathrooms anymore....so there is that! VanillaRhapsody May 2014 #69

Sounds like you don't see much improvement. Maybe Eleanors38 May 2014 #92

I have seen alot of improvement... VanillaRhapsody May 2014 #93

And women certainly didn't keep their mouths shut to effect change. boston bean May 2014 #94

Why, yes! The president women first voted for: Harding. Eleanors38 May 2014 #136

How long did it take for women's suffrage to be accepted? To end poll taxes? Gormy Cuss May 2014 #98

It is indeed. Eleanors38 May 2014 #121

Would you believe white people if they conceded WP? Eleanors38 May 2014 #209

I will answer your questions honestly: Harmony Blue May 2014 #207

The questions I have asked often go unanswered: Eleanors38 May 2014 #208

I wish we could recommend individual posts. Thank you. uppityperson May 2014 #73

I wasn't born with advantages Harmony Blue May 2014 #126

Your vested interest is in ending hate. Gormy Cuss May 2014 #130

Can't end hate if there is no communication or open dialogue Harmony Blue May 2014 #206

There is an open dialogue here on this topic. Gormy Cuss May 2014 #211

Snark and belittlement of opposing view points Harmony Blue May 2014 #220

Have I snarked on you? Belittled your viewpoint? Gormy Cuss May 2014 #242

So what do you think explains the relative lack of African-American wealth and achievement? nomorenomore08 May 2014 #153

To be blunt prvilege has nothing to do with the fact Harmony Blue May 2014 #224

This made me feel sick to my stomach. bravenak May 2014 #228

I didn't even know how to reply to his post. myrna minx May 2014 #230

This just means i need to log out. bravenak May 2014 #232

You're a wonderful person, bravenak. myrna minx May 2014 #235

I'm good. bravenak May 2014 #236

+1 nomorenomore08 May 2014 #243

If it's any small comfort, I got my first-ever hidden post in relation to that poster. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #245

Thats messed up. bravenak May 2014 #247

I'm sorry. I'm kind of in disbelief myself. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #248

Used to it. bravenak May 2014 #251

I agree. Enthusiast May 2014 #278

Kinda gross. bravenak May 2014 #288

What an absolutely ignorant and sickening post. myrna minx May 2014 #229

You should do me a solid and self delete this post. bravenak May 2014 #233

"more and more men (especially black men) are incarcerated" disproportionately indeed due to that pr uppityperson May 2014 #238

Like the freakin' Duggars? Oh, but they are white so. . . . nt tblue37 Aug 2014 #305

Holy crap. gollygee May 2014 #239

One benefit of juries leaving your awful posts to stand is that you're getting braver. redqueen May 2014 #240

Scratch a misogynist, find a racist. Starry Messenger May 2014 #241

+10000000000 nt redqueen May 2014 #259

So it's not the legacy of centuries of racism, they're just deadbeats and have too many kids? nomorenomore08 May 2014 #244

What about all the other reasons black men are incarcerated? JustAnotherGen May 2014 #260

Notice he hasn't replied to any actual black people on this thread... nomorenomore08 May 2014 #261

Just catching up this morning JustAnotherGen May 2014 #283

Those are offensive and hurtful remarks BainsBane May 2014 #263

WOW. bettyellen May 2014 #271

WTF? Jamastiene May 2014 #274

Your's are precisely the same talking points that we hear from Fox "News". Enthusiast May 2014 #279

LOL. Ever since you joined DU and began to spout libertarian talking points Cali_Democrat May 2014 #289

This is actually WRONG!!! The rate of out of wedlock births among ALL races has Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2014 #293

disgusting rubbish. Whisp May 2014 #295

I feel your heaven05 Jun 2014 #300

You should have seen his thread about the isla vista shooter. bravenak Jun 2014 #303

of course you agree with Cosby's bullshit noiretextatique Jun 2014 #304

It is the absolute height of irony for you to invoke the empathy card. nt laundry_queen May 2014 #162

Some good stuff here. AverageJoe90 May 2014 #25

. Tuesday Afternoon May 2014 #28

Stealing. bravenak May 2014 #152

! Tuesday Afternoon May 2014 #186

Yea, we need WHITE MAN'S ANONYMOUS ! steve2470 May 2014 #29

This is just like MRA bullshit, but from a racial angle. boston bean May 2014 #31

+1 nomorenomore08 May 2014 #158

lol. poor poor white men. Who will stand up and protect the poor persecuted white men???? PeaceNikki May 2014 #32

For reals! Being a white male kicks ass! FrodosPet May 2014 #163

Mirror: Feral Child May 2014 #35

LOL! bravenak May 2014 #36

Ha! JustAnotherGen May 2014 #82

This is why the majority of white men aren't democrats. McDiggy May 2014 #37

wut? PeaceNikki May 2014 #41

Must be hard not feeling like #1 anymore, eh? Uppity women going to college, bettyellen May 2014 #43

College? Men haven't gone to college en masse for a while now. McDiggy May 2014 #67

Or Feral Child May 2014 #45

... NuclearDem May 2014 #53

I've never heard a REAL liberal ever say or imply a white man's problems are meaningless steve2470 May 2014 #55

I've seen it on this forum. McDiggy May 2014 #74

you don't get it. PeaceNikki May 2014 #84

It's okay laundry_queen May 2014 #165

No, liberals tell them their problems aren't superior to others' problems. Lex May 2014 #78

Where'd you pick up that shit? Over at the daily paul? This is not the DU I came to love. Tarheel_Dem May 2014 #85

Is that why YOU aren't a Democrat? PeaceNikki May 2014 #87

wow.. are you even paying half way attention to the issues brought up here? uponit7771 May 2014 #102

Some truth to that, but we can't allow the far right to escape blame, either. AverageJoe90 May 2014 #103

You are strawman city here gollygee May 2014 #110

I didn't mention either of these two things, gollygee. Not at all. AverageJoe90 May 2014 #112

Here's what you wrote gollygee May 2014 #113

I didn't mention either of those two things. AverageJoe90 May 2014 #116

Even assuming that a few folks here and there subscribe to these extreme views, so what? nomorenomore08 May 2014 #173

Who are the extremists you think you need to correct here? nt redqueen May 2014 #118

Random people on Tumblr/blogs who have no real power or influence over anything? nomorenomore08 May 2014 #168

Of course being poor sucks, but it doesn't mean you get to trash minorities/gays/women. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #160

+1 YoungDemCA May 2014 #223

Fuck a bunch of CEOs. Enthusiast May 2014 #280

No... you Dorian Gray May 2014 #42

open racism... Ohio Joe May 2014 #44

Oh, give me a break. Honestly. AverageJoe90 May 2014 #51

Downplaying the issues faced by racial minorities while claiming to be persecuted as a white man? nomorenomore08 May 2014 #175

The points about white privilege are factual, why does that bother you? uponit7771 May 2014 #104

Since you like links and reading, I have some for you. PeaceNikki May 2014 #47

Thank you for posting those. nt redqueen May 2014 #58

+1 nt laundry_queen May 2014 #167

+2 nomorenomore08 May 2014 #176

Harmony is part of your name? really? HERVEPA May 2014 #57

and don't forget the Blue..... bettyellen May 2014 #218

You are right about one thing Puzzledtraveller May 2014 #75

... TDale313 May 2014 #80

One comment about your post. BULLSHIT lostincalifornia May 2014 #81

"No one knows what it's like to be the sad maaaaan..." Starry Messenger May 2014 #83

Oh, now I'm gonna have that song in my head all day. TDale313 May 2014 #86

Good thing I was on my phone, I was going to post video too. :) Starry Messenger May 2014 #117

Funny, I have blue eyes. And I've been known to suffer from chronic depression. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #177

... Enthusiast May 2014 #282

No one thinks you, personally, are responsible. TeacherB87 May 2014 #88

The image that should accompany this thread: YoungDemCA May 2014 #89

As a relatively privileged white woman, I'm open to any and all honest awareness, and honest effort ancianita May 2014 #96

"...create space which allows the privileged to be their best selves." nomorenomore08 May 2014 #178

Agreed. ancianita May 2014 #213

This whole debate reminds me of an episode of 30 Rock. Initech May 2014 #97

+1 uponit7771 May 2014 #105

Start eating worms right now, if you aren't already. nt raccoon May 2014 #99

Good news: You can take a breather and stop worrying. Zenlitened May 2014 #107

"Other folks... ask only that you avoid interrupting their work." nomorenomore08 May 2014 #187

In my opinion SaltyBro May 2014 #108

IKR!? IT is as if white men had some kind of negative history with other races or something! Rex May 2014 #109

Bravo! SaltyBro May 2014 #111

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2014 #156

Empathy is a two way street, and both sides seem to lack it. Shandris May 2014 #114

I can't really blame you, TBH. AverageJoe90 May 2014 #120

So what makes you (or any individual) a "voice of reason" over and above others? nomorenomore08 May 2014 #188

TBH..... bravenak May 2014 #190

If you are part of the problem, then you deserve the blame. DrewFlorida May 2014 #115

I'm so white I'm not guilted by the white guilt trips. joshcryer May 2014 #122

I feel no particular "white guilt" either. Funny that. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #189

I find it silly to get worked up over something I have no control over. joshcryer May 2014 #191

I rarely come here, because there isn't really serious discussion here adigal May 2014 #123

So your point is that people dont post anything serious. I hope you see the irony. nm rhett o rick May 2014 #125

so of the mulitude of topics up for discussion Skittles May 2014 #144

I gather this thread was created for sympathy which you did not receive. Gravitycollapse May 2014 #127

A) Yes, Harmony Blue, I blame you for all the ills of society. Because it's all about you. Squinch May 2014 #128

Good point cyberswede May 2014 #139

+1 nt laundry_queen May 2014 #169

Oh there is a tiny handful of women supporting the handful redqueen May 2014 #225

I was going to say before I read your last paragraph, "But it's just the usual suspects." Squinch May 2014 #237

But I thought everything was Obama's fault? Oh just the white side of him SummerSnow May 2014 #129

You perpetuate "white privilege" every day... wittingly OR unwittingly. cherokeeprogressive May 2014 #131

What is a perpuator? n/t Jamastiene May 2014 #275

Time for a sad violin kwassa May 2014 #132

It's ironic that these pathetic posts perpetuate the issue of whites being seen as the ones who.. RedCappedBandit May 2014 #137

It is eye opening is it not? Harmony Blue May 2014 #226

Please do not fall under the impression that I am in agreement with your OP RedCappedBandit May 2014 #227

I hope the OP sees that hardly anyone on the thread agrees with him. That's important if we want to nomorenomore08 May 2014 #262

You're so clueless that you can't even tell when someone is being sarcastic... Liberal_Stalwart71 May 2014 #294

And black/Latino males aren't? *Constantly*??? nomorenomore08 May 2014 #141

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2014 #159

"Historical advantages" are only one part of it. The mere fact that you're a white person nomorenomore08 May 2014 #161

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2014 #164

So when have you been, say, hassled by cops for being white? nomorenomore08 May 2014 #166

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2014 #172

Then why are the millions of people in prison so disproportionately black? nomorenomore08 May 2014 #179

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2014 #192

Damn, wish I could've seen his reply... But thanks, MIRT! nomorenomore08 May 2014 #195

In some neighborhoods in Detroit, the police have been known to pull over whites FrodosPet May 2014 #174

True. No one said (or implied) that all individual white folks have it easy. n/t nomorenomore08 May 2014 #180

Why we all should have a vested interest FrodosPet May 2014 #171

As a white guy, I can tell you...white folks HATE talk of white privilege. U4ikLefty May 2014 #142

Frankly, I'm almost glad the majority of my friends aren't white (even though I am). nomorenomore08 May 2014 #181

ahh, jeez. SheilaT May 2014 #154

Great post. You seem like the sort of conscientious, empathetic person I try my best to be. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #183

We all have our limitations. SheilaT May 2014 #194

We should all feel great shame for merely drawing breath, evidently. Skip Intro May 2014 #157

And the award for Strawman of the Century goes to... nomorenomore08 May 2014 #184

How so? Skip Intro May 2014 #185

Because you're greatly exaggerating people's animus towards you. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #196

You replied to me, "strawman." Again - how so? Skip Intro May 2014 #197

Because no one (or virtually no one) on here literally hates straight white males. nomorenomore08 May 2014 #199

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2014 #182

So the gist that I'm getting from the majority of these posts... Buddyblazon May 2014 #193

And here I thought defacto7 May 2014 #200

Rudyard Kipling, is that you? merrily May 2014 #202

white men are expected to solve all the problems? Skittles May 2014 #203

No one blames me for the ills of society. I feel very little guilt, and even so, only for ... dawg May 2014 #214

Should have thought this out a little more before hitting post. NCTraveler May 2014 #216

No Harmony Blue May 2014 #221

What does Snowden have to do with discussions of privilege? YoungDemCA May 2014 #222

An excuse to change the subject, I suppose. n/t nomorenomore08 May 2014 #246

Just an excuse not to listen to people BainsBane May 2014 #253

Huh? Aren't you the op? nt. NCTraveler May 2014 #290

Very disgusting op. bravenak May 2014 #231

While white supremacists like Rick Scott and Scott Walker and Ohio ALL con governors are actively randys1 May 2014 #254

I should have remembered to wait my turn. bravenak May 2014 #256

I am there with you randys1 May 2014 #257

understanding zach.magee May 2014 #234

Do you even realize the irony, of complaining about being broadbrushed as a white person nomorenomore08 May 2014 #249

By the way what you said was bad. bravenak May 2014 #258

I agree BainsBane May 2014 #264

No one bats an eye at that BainsBane Jun 2014 #301

Yes it does. bravenak Jun 2014 #302

"elitist" "arrogant" Jamastiene May 2014 #277