Since my last argument went to shit...and no one identified with my example, I'll admit that my argument was incoherent. Plain and simple. However, since i have the ability to blog whenever i want, and because I have very strong feelings about this topic. I'll explain my point as succinctly as possible and then exit the arena.
Those who oppose my feelings believe as a consensus that minorities harbor just as much racism as white people. And that it is that racism, that must be extinguished before we can truly achieve equality. While I agree that racism is a pervasive mindset that can be present in any person, I simply think it is silly to suggest that "reverse racism" is a significant problem that is holding minorities back. In my opinion, there is plenty of overt and institutionalized racism that oppresses minorities everyday, and THAT racism is what's keeping our world unequal. Though minorities certainly have the capacity to harbor intense, bitter racism in their hearts, to my knowledge in human history, white people are the ones with the track record of turning their racism into justification for enslavement, oppression, subjugation, and the all important institutionalized racism....(building a country based on those ideals).
I find it offensive when white people (or people of color for that matter) suggest that the "solution" to the "race problems" in America is for minorities to wake up and stop being so racist themselves. Because honestly, that's ridiculous. The problem with racial inequality is not that minorities are oblivious to or refuse to take responsibility for their own feelings of racism, no the problem is the fact that racism EXISTS in the first place. It's existed for centuries and it has a long and storied history. And the history of racism is founded in whites oppressing minorities, that's a fact, and there's no changing that. As soon as you are born with black or brown skin in this country, you are AUTOMATICALLY way more likely to live in a worse neighborhood, attend a shittier school, receive less health care and be treated less fairly by the justice system than white people. That's automatic, right from birth. That phenomenon is not minorities' fault, and it's not necessarily the fault of the white people of today. But it's the way things are, and that's the racism that I believe needs to go, let's worry about "reverse racism" when minorities have no reason to revert anymore.
Those who oppose my feelings believe as a consensus that minorities harbor just as much racism as white people. And that it is that racism, that must be extinguished before we can truly achieve equality. While I agree that racism is a pervasive mindset that can be present in any person, I simply think it is silly to suggest that "reverse racism" is a significant problem that is holding minorities back. In my opinion, there is plenty of overt and institutionalized racism that oppresses minorities everyday, and THAT racism is what's keeping our world unequal. Though minorities certainly have the capacity to harbor intense, bitter racism in their hearts, to my knowledge in human history, white people are the ones with the track record of turning their racism into justification for enslavement, oppression, subjugation, and the all important institutionalized racism....(building a country based on those ideals).
I find it offensive when white people (or people of color for that matter) suggest that the "solution" to the "race problems" in America is for minorities to wake up and stop being so racist themselves. Because honestly, that's ridiculous. The problem with racial inequality is not that minorities are oblivious to or refuse to take responsibility for their own feelings of racism, no the problem is the fact that racism EXISTS in the first place. It's existed for centuries and it has a long and storied history. And the history of racism is founded in whites oppressing minorities, that's a fact, and there's no changing that. As soon as you are born with black or brown skin in this country, you are AUTOMATICALLY way more likely to live in a worse neighborhood, attend a shittier school, receive less health care and be treated less fairly by the justice system than white people. That's automatic, right from birth. That phenomenon is not minorities' fault, and it's not necessarily the fault of the white people of today. But it's the way things are, and that's the racism that I believe needs to go, let's worry about "reverse racism" when minorities have no reason to revert anymore.
2 comments:
much better argument. But no one is disagreeing with you that racism still does not exist. we all wish it didnt, but like u said, thats just the way it is... from birth. but with regards to reverse racism... its not helping the minority cause. two wrongs dont make a right.
society has made great strides in the last 40 years. we have a black president. we have the first latin supreme court justice (who is a women). change happens with time. and 40 years in the grand scheme of things is a small small fraction. slavery lasted much longer. elsewhere in the world, racism amongst people has lasted centuries, millenniums, without much sign of things progressing. although racism still exists in the usa, i applaud the american people for the short time it has taken to make it more of a taboo than common staple in our society.
it is my belief that racism will always exist in the usa. too many different cultures, nationalities, and history will do that to some. but it will be a small small fraction of the population who feels this way, and will no longer be the way policies, jobs, and government are run.
I feel you Beto. And I say to an extent Grey is correct, the effect of white supremacy and dominance for nearly 200 years is responsible for the race relations of today. Minorities were stripped of their pride and lose their identity along with being set back (developmentally) by the laws and practices of the land. So I understand why a sign to the public identifying a business as black owned was a big deal. It was a sign of progress, something those within the community could be proud of and aspire to. However, now in 2009, most of the ground has been broken by minorities and successful minorities are more acceptable than ever before. Which means it is time to fully assimilate and remove the chip from their collective shoulder. Just as minorities had to be the 'bigger' group to earn equality before the law, to improve race relations today minorities have to ebb their tide of hate and treat everyone as they want to be treated. Otherwise lose the outrage when a racial epithet comes flying your way.
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