Everyone should read this - white folks especially
Shannon over at Egotistical Whining has written a fantastic Racism FAQ. She uses the familiar equation that power + prejudice = racism, but goes on to say:
Q) But I don't have any power! or I don't get any advantages.
A) The power is structural. So if one is rewarded for their degree of whiteness by getting the benefit of the doubt or having their money assumed good in stores, that is an advantage, and that is power. If someone sees your white skin, they assume you're automatically smarter, better and more normal than people of color. That's power.
Q) But it's so hard to not be racist/what can I do to not be a racist?
A) There are two general rules: shut up and listen and don't be an asshole. You'll learn a lot of other things on the way, but those two rules are the key.
Love it. Reminds me of something a social worker I know used to say, a two-sentence summary of diversity training: "Some people are different from you. Please deal." I know, easy to say, hard to do, but if you keep these few things in mind and try to act accordingly, in my book, you can't go too far wrong.
Comments
"white folks especially"
Congratulations. You've just become what you hate, and lost the argument at the 5th word.
Racism in response to racism is never right. If you want to end racism then you have to end it from both sides. You can't go around saying, "white folks especially." I, as a white person, am offended by the implication that white people are somehow inherently more racist.
If that is your opinion(it seems to be) then you are a racist and are in no position to be telling others what to do about their racism.
It's not as simple as practicing what you preach. I think you need to fix these issues within yourself before you can go out and fix the world.
Posted by: John Rozewicki | July 20, 2006 11:42 AM
I think white people in general just don't have to spend much time thinking about racism, and are more likely to need education on the topic.
Posted by: Skye![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.nowtexas.org/nowblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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July 20, 2006 09:24 PM