Taking racism seriously…
Feministe.com has Put up a list of how people try to avoid dealing with racism, it’s fab and so I’m putting the highlights here….
The Bootstrap Myth
“Racism is a thing of the past… this is a free country, and anyone who works hard can make it in America.”
The Remove the Right To Be Angry
“You’re too sensitive… if you weren’t so aggressive, vocal, hostile, angry, or upset, people would listen to you and you wouldn’t get in trouble!”
The Utopian Eye-Gouger
“I’m colorblind, personally… why can’t we all just ignore race, it’s not like it’s even real… it’s not like I tangibly benefit from being white every day or anything! Can’t we all just get along?”
The Bending Over Backwards
“You people of color are so right. I agree with everything you say. Because you’re right, of course… not just because I’m guilty and white and wrong!”
The Loophole of Escape
“I can’t possibly be a bigot or a racist… I’m part of the oppressed due to the fact that I’m a woman!” (or gay, poor, young, trans, etc.)
The Smoke and Mirrors
“I totally agree. Racism is one system of oppression among many interlocking ones, that specifically awards more privilege and power to all white people, whether they like it or not, and serves to keep the existing power structure in place. Oh… what? You want me to volunteer in a community organization, contribute money, do security for your protest march? Uh… yeah maybe next time, I’ve got to wash my hair tonight. And walk my dog, see the latest episode of Lost, manage my stock portfolio…”
It Doesn’t Matter What Comes Out of My Mouth, Just Look at My Skin
“What? I can’t possibly be racist. I AM a person of color. How can I be racist against myself, huh? No, I haven’t heard of internalized racism, and I still think affirmative action is reverse racism!”
Posted by Louise Livesey on 9 March 2008, at 1:10 PM | Comments (3)
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Damon said:
It might be worth putting up the rebuttals to those myths.
Posted on 09 March 2008 at 1:39 PM
Yunus Yakoub Islam said:
Not stated specifically here is the concept of 'new racism' which I think is important. This is where minority groups challenge services structured to meet the needs of the majority, and are then accused of asking for special favours. Muslim women's swimming hour is perhaps the gutter press's favourite.
Posted on 09 March 2008 at 8:51 PM
grrrlriot said:
Hello! :) I love this website, it's one of my favorites! This is a really good post. I know it's a day late, but happy international women's day!
Posted on 10 March 2008 at 2:03 AM