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Re: The Truth of Race is a Lie

jasminsmith — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:08:26 -0000

You can't change what you don't acknowledge so being "blind to race" adds to the problem, it's not a solution.

Sometimes I think people are so ignorant about there own prejudices. They'll say, "I'm not a racist, I have plenty of Black friends." and then without being conscious of it their blood pressure elevates and they get nervous if say, their alone in an elevator with a young Black man (for example).

It would be better in my humble opinion if we would just throw it all out there, be open and honest iwth ourselves about our prejudices so that we can actively work to get rid of them.

If there's an elephant in the room, closing your eyes doesn't make it disappear.

Re: The Truth of Race is a Lie

jasminsmith — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:55:45 -0000

yes, it will be wonderful when race is not a factor again (it's a fairly recent social issue). but unless and until that happens people like myself will continue to speak out.

the post was intended for a North-American/Western context as is made obvious by the items in McIntosh's list of 50.

and of course there is much social stratification in countries throughout the world, but I'm not talking about the world in this particular post.

What can be done about it? It's my personal belief that it will take several more generations before the West heals from the effects of racism, and skin colour no longer matters. So in the mean time we can start with educating ourselves, our children and others about the issue. Acknowledge our own prejudices so we can rid ourselves of them and ensure that our prejudices never turn into acts of discrimination. Actively fight against racism by speaking out when we see it and correcting people who practice it -- right down to the level of stereotyping.

It's a start, but you can't change what you don't acknowledge so being "blind to race" adds to the problem, it's not a solution. Gradually the tide will turn and racism will be no more -- but I don't see that happening in my lifetime! Here's hoping for my great great great grandkids' kids!

Re: The Truth of Race is a Lie

jasminsmith — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:24:38 -0000

I think it's important to point out that list of 50 points of White Privilege are a personal list that PEggy McIntosh (a White American feminist) says she experiences in her own life. It's not meant to be a generalization that all White people experience White Privilege in the same manner she does... in fact, as a Black woman, I've experienced one or two of those points myself. It's not meant to generalize, but to get the discussion going.

Looking at McIntosh's list can help White people to acknowledge the benefits of not being racialized (not having a set of broadly applied negative stereotypes attached to you with no regard for your individual character--all based on the colour of your skin). By acknowledging White privilege, it can help these same people to begin understanding what we racialized people must deal with on a daily basis. I can take most of the items on her list, inverse them and that's my life and the lives of many others like me! That's the point.

And I agree that it is sad that these types of discussions still have to happen. And what my education has taught me is that generalizing is indeed dangerous and racial stereotyping is just that: generalizing. This piece is a social commentary against that process. White Privilege is a social fact in the Americas. No it does not effect all White people the same way, and no, not all White people are privy to it.

Issues of race are also intersected by socio-economic status, age, gender, education etc. to form a complete package a stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination that affect ALL people. This post focuses on race.

My education has also taught me why race continues to be such a salient issue in the West. There are many reasons, but the one that I feel is the most important to remember is that colonialism, slavery, and segregation are still RECENT history. Those scars will take several more generations to heal. That is why this issue is so important to discuss and acknowledge. Until we go back to living in a world where colour truly doesn't matter, courageous people will continue to fight against this injustice.

Re: The Truth of Race is a Lie

jasminsmith — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:45:44 -0000

Thank you so much for your comment Emma. I’m sorry that you had to endure that and I couldn’t agree with you more about Columbus Day!

It’s actually very fitting that you bring up Columbus because racism as we know it today actually arose from the colonial expansion of Columbus’ era. The real story about Columbus is that he was far more interested in GOLD than land. Through his capitalistic drive he enslaved Native Americans to mine the gold (and silver), in a system of terror with people dying from being over-work, from disease, torture, and mass-murder (and I can’t bear to repeat what they did with these peoples’ bodies). Within 50 years of this system Columbus initiated 99.9% of the Tianos population had perished – that’s genocide, not a reason for a national holiday so I applaud you Emma for standing up for what’s right.

The genocide of Native Americans spread rapidly throughout early America and soon new sources of slave labour were “needed.” Enter the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade of my ancestors... and well I guess that’s where the history books pick up the account. When human beings “of colour” were no longer considered people, but easily replaceable commodities for trade, modern racism was born.

Re: The Truth of Race is a Lie

jasminsmith — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:39:50 -0000

It was implied but I guess not explicitly stated in the post that this particular issue of White Privilege/racism discussed applies mostly to the North American context, and I suppose also Britain, Australia, South Africa, and other "White" nations.

White Privilege hasn't always just been about the colour of ones skin, that's the CURRENT manifestation of the issue. 100 years ago (and even more recently) in Canada and the US the Irish, Italians, and Jewish people were all considered BLACK--they were racialized... yes, I did say Irish and as such they faced every bit of racism as people of colour. Today Jewish people particularly religious Jews are still racialized and face their unique from of racism: anti-Semitism.

And the post was indeed written to emphasize difference. Difference in treatment, not difference in "humaness."