The other day ...

[bravenak]

47. Racism in America is a problem attached to white privilege.

It's true. Tell us how white supremacy (white privilege) is not the cause of our racist institutions.

If white people have freedom to move through the society freely, without notice or judgement based on color by the majority , then are they not the only race with 'freedom'. When only one group has that freedom, then they are the ones 'privileged' to not suffer the many indignities that others suffer, the discrimination that they are the only race to not be affected by. Is it not then a privilege to not suffer for the skin you are born in, when every other color suffers those indignities, and the suffering is caused by other white people?

The rest of us don't have your freedom. Therefore you ARE privileged to be able to use your freedom and count on it to be there when you need it. We have freedom in theory, but, it falls apart in practice, since we do not have the power to use our freedom as we would if we were white.

What you can do to help, is to stop denying that you hold a more privileged place in society than you would if you had a high melanin component in your skin. Realtors would then steer you into 'certain' neighborhoods than you would be shown now. Even if you had your same job and credit rating, you would be given worse rates for your home loan and car loan. If stopped by police you would be held to a higher level of suspicion. You would hear how violent you are supposed to be on a daily basis from white people. You will get called 'nigger' at least a thousand times. You would have cabs pass you by, people cross the street when you walk along. If you complained you would get told by a white person that you don't have it any worse than them, and they will be nasty to you for fixing your lips to complain about white privilege. Employers would toss your application if your name sound too 'ethnic', then be told that it s your fault you can't find a job, even though you have your qualifications and want to work. Your sister would be called a welfare queen even though she works everyday.

You have no idea what you would go through, so, you should probably cool it with the angry approach. I have not forgotten when you told a very professional black woman on this site to' get a job, and stay out of jail' and asked she if she wanted your job. That is how you would be treated if you were black. Just like you treated her. You are the last person to talk.


I think you are blind to your own privilege and get angry when any discussion of race comes up. It seems to make you very defensive, and I find that strange sine you just declared you are NOT a racist. Even though nobody asked you if you were, or called you any thing.

A wise man on DU once told me " Throw a stone. The dogs that yelped, be the dogs that got hit.' Or something like that.