Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

African American

kwassa

(23,340 posts)

16. Many whites are very uncomfortable talking about race ...

Reply to 1StrongBlackMan (Original post)

Tue Sep 16, 2014, 02:56 PM

Sep 2014

and fear the accusation of racism. They are afraid that you secretly think they are racist, so they are going to play the race card first.

The reality is that most whites are blind to structural racism because they never see it, regardless of their political persuasion. It doesn't happen to them, and since so few have close friendships with blacks they don't experience through people they know, either.

This is why it is also hard for them to understand the concept of white privilege, as well. Part of this is just narcissism; if it doesn't happen to them, it doesn't really exist. This is a tendency of all people, everywhere.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

28 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Pardon this brief ranting question; but, ... [View all] 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 OP

Because they're not really liberals or progressives. They're trolls. nt valerief Sep 2014 #1

I wish it were that easy to write the phenomena off ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #2

No they're not. Not at all. Liberal_Stalwart71 Sep 2014 #18

The fear of being called a racist... YoungDemCA Sep 2014 #3

But, I cannot ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #4

Maybe they want a pass? YoungDemCA Sep 2014 #6

“I’m not racist,” he said. “I’m Swedish.” FrodosPet Sep 2014 #23

That is a very good article. nt MADem Sep 2014 #26

Interesting. "Hand me my smelling salts, Vera. I've been ***accused*** yet again!" valerief Sep 2014 #5

LOL. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #7

LOL! Exactly... YoungDemCA Sep 2014 #8

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2014 #9

Thank you. I really appreciate your honest response. Liberal_Stalwart71 Sep 2014 #19

Our society has worked really hard to teach us that racism is wrong gollygee Sep 2014 #10

I appreciate all of that; but ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #12

I don't mean that you are suggesting it gollygee Sep 2014 #14

I have to agree with you here. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #15

I will hazard an answer. Behind the Aegis Sep 2014 #11

I can't argue with that. eom. 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #13

Black DUers would be very wealthy if we all recounted how many times this scenario has played out. Liberal_Stalwart71 Sep 2014 #20

Many whites are very uncomfortable talking about race ... kwassa Sep 2014 #16

I think many black people understand this and may be able to emphathize with it. Liberal_Stalwart71 Sep 2014 #21

They do this all the time, 1SBM. All the time! See my Michael Moore thread for Liberal_Stalwart71 Sep 2014 #17

... Because, in the end, ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #22

All us white folk live white privelege daily, even those of us with the best of intentions randys1 Sep 2014 #24

Maybe they think they're acting like racists, in their heart of hearts? MADem Sep 2014 #25

Honestly, I think we are all bigots. It is something we have all been taught notadmblnd Sep 2014 #27

I'm not a bigot JustAnotherGen Sep 2014 #28