What is Race?
The first thing to understand about race is that it is a social construct. There's no physical reality to our arbitrarily assigned racial categories. HOWEVER! That does not mean that race doesn't affect all of our lives and shape the society we live in. Money is also a social construct. The origins of whiteness are particularly important to understand in this context. What does it mean to be white? Look at groups like the Irish, the Poles, and the Italians. Not long ago, none of these groups were considered white. But now they are. Being white means you're part of the favored group. But remember, race is, despite all of this, a very real thing. More on why later.
What is Racism?
You probably think you know what racism is. But there's a lot of misinformation around this issue. The dictionary is sadly wrong on this one. Hatred on the basis of race is merely bigotry. Anyone, white, Black, or otherwise, can be bigoted, but white people shouldn't call out PoC on the basis of perceived bigotry! It's not our role. In order for it to be racism, though, there has to be power behind it. Easy example. A white person has an Asian boss who refuses to give promotions to white people. No worries, the next shop over will more than likely be run by a white person. Not a major problem in the grand scheme of things. But, as various studies have shown, a Black person finds herself facing intense difficulty even getting an interview, she's likely not in a position to just find a Black-owned enterprise in her field. And this is a major problem. A systemic problem. Race affects a person's chance to get a house or car loan, their ability to be hired, and their chances of surviving an encounter with the police. A white person never needs to be concerned about the way their race factors into these things, but everyone else does. All of this explains why "reverse racism" is impossible. PoC cannot be racist against white people, period.
What is Privilege?
Privilege is the unearned benefits you get by virtue of who you are. Nearly everyone benefits from some sort of privilege. Examples include white privilege, male privilege, straight privilege, class privilege, able-bodied privilege, and cis privilege. Just by virtue of being one or more of these things, you get all sorts of benefits. A straight couple need never be concerned about holding hands or kissing in public, for example. This does not mean that everything in your life is fine. A person can benefit from white privilege while simultaneously suffering from class oppression. A white Appalachian coal miner has a rough life, but it would be even rougher if she were Black. Having privilege is nothing to be ashamed of. Just like you didn't earn it, you also shouldn't feel guilt for it. White guilt is a useless emotion, after all. It's a derail, one that focuses the conversation on a white person's feelings. Privilege is just something you need to (A) be aware of and (B) use for the cause. An important thing to keep in mind when considering these issues is that it is inappropriate to bring up oppression along a different axis (such as sexuality) in a discussion of another axis (such as race). All forms of oppression are different. While there are valid comparisons to be made, it's never good to try and equate them. It's even worse to try to fight over who had it the worst. It's just not a productive line of conversation. Those of us who benefit from white privilege, for example, have no business inserting ourselves in conversations that do not involve us. Discussions of internalized racism or colorism, for example, do not benefit from a white person butting in. So don't. Keep on scrolling.
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| Don't let this be you |
Conduct in the group.
In this group, we do not allow the use of slurs against groups that experience oppression. This includes dog-whistle slurs such as thug and savage. In addition, we do not allow policing of PoC behavior by white people. If you are approaching an issue from a position of societal power (i.e., a white person in a discussion of racism), remember that your lived experience differs from theirs. Don't tell them how to speak or act. It is not your place. At some point, you will almost certainly mess up. So what should you do when that happens? Apologizing well is actually not that difficult. Acknowledge the harm you have done. Make it clear that you understand why what you did was harmful and that you will refrain from doing so in the future. Finally, recognize that apologies don't undo the harm caused. A few more things to keep in mind. Coming from a position of privilege, it's easy to fall into a pattern of expecting to be listened to at all times. Shake out of that pattern. There will be discussions where your input as a person of privilege is not wanted. Accept this. Some things are just not about you. Google and the links posted in this group are your friend. Do not demand explanations from people in this group. And remember that being a decent person, one willing to use their privilege to fight against white supremacy et al, is not any reason for you to be praised. You don't get cookies.
Common Derails
White people have few stock phrases that we are fond of when the subject of race comes up. The rest of humanity has no patience for that sort of thing. Here are some examples:
We all bleed red - The problem with this is it's classic erasure of PoC experience. Your life is not the same as theirs. Claiming that it is is deeply offensive.
"But what about Black on Black crime?" - Nearly all crime occurs within the same racial groups, since nearly all crime happens where you live, and the USA is a deeply segregated nation. White people do crimes to each other at the same rate, but no one talks about white on white crime.
All Lives Matter - This is like screaming "OTHER PEOPLE DIE TOO" at people attending a funeral.
All Lives Matter - This is like screaming "OTHER PEOPLE DIE TOO" at people attending a funeral.
Cop Lives Matter - Please. Cops are fine, they have protection of the law.
Colorblindness - When Oprah gets told that a purse is too expensive for her, when President Obama talks about being "treated like the help," color clearly matters. All your pretending does nothing to solve the problem.
Irish slaves - Chattel slavery in the Americas was singularly unique. Comparing it to other forms of slavery, such as that practiced by the Romans, or that practiced within Africa by Africans, shows a profound ignorance of history.
White Fragility - This is the common result of white people having their worldview challenged. When faced with the oppression that we are complicit in, and may have even engaged in, there's a need to retreat. To deny. To claim that it's not real. Suppress that. Face the world as it is, then work to make it the way we all need it to be.
"But Morgan Freeman/Ben Carson said" - People of Color are individuals. Not all will agree on all things. White people are afforded this privilege, but it's rarely extended to anyone else. If you look hard enough, you can find one person of any group who will agree with any statement. It doesn't matter.
"I Don't Like the Terms Privilege or White Supremacy" - Well, deal with it. This movement is not about your white feelings. These are the terms that the leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement use to describe the world they live in. Black lives, not white feelings (HT - P Suzanne Garrett)
"I Don't Like the Terms Privilege or White Supremacy" - Well, deal with it. This movement is not about your white feelings. These are the terms that the leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement use to describe the world they live in. Black lives, not white feelings (HT - P Suzanne Garrett)
