I Would Like to Talk (Civilly) About the Generalization of "White People"

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(09-26-2016, 12:21 AM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I'm reaching out to those who might come from a different view point than my own, and/or those who would like to have a legitimate discussion about the grouping of white people (by some) as a single entity.  And perhaps I could actually learn something here, I would honestly love a different perspective.

First thing is first, let me explain why exactly this conversation popped into my head.  I saw a video earlier this evening that featured a group of University of Kansas students having a debate about something to do with safe spaces on campus.  One particular woman repeatedly used the term "white people" towards the group she was arguing with. Many times in reference to their ancestors.  ie "Your ancestors benefited by enslaving my people".  "White people" did this and that.

Now let me preface me sharing my perspective with this statement: Slavery was a terrible, terrible thing.  So terrible in fact that I'm not sure there is even a word to describe just how awful it is and was.  And that goes all throughout history.  It's a dark stain on many of the books that write the history of mankind.  Not only as a "white person", but as a human being, I feel a great shame that it has been a part of this world.  I am in no way trying to diminish it's impact on modern society or the awfulness of it.

So here's the deal.  I can't help but feeling that the term "white people" when used to lump all of us together, especially when describing past atrocities, is not only terribly unfair, but incredibly stupid.  Beyond stupid.  So stupid inf act that a person who does this doesn't even deserve a response.

People do know that the vast majority of the current white population, or "white people" not only personally had nothing to with slavery. but none of their ancestors did either, right?  People do know that there weren't too many plantation owners that were German, or Irish, or Jewish, or Italian, or Greek, right?  People have heard of Ellis Island, and the whole timeline of immigration have they not?  If they gave, why do many always have these "white people" grouped together?

Not only do most "white people descend from families who weren't even prior to the late 1800's, there's also a number of them who descend from families that actually fought to free the slaves.

Personally, I am of Irish, German, and Romanian descent.  No one from either of my families was here in the states prior to somewhere right around the turn of the century (1890-1910 range).  Do I, as a "white person" need to feel any more amount of guilt or shame than any other nationality?  If so, why exactly?

I would argue that vilifying me, simply because I'm white and white people owned slaves, is akin to vilifying an African American because of the actions of Somalia pirates.  I mean, after all, the only thing in each example is skin tone, is it not?

Why is it ok to tell "white people" they need to acknowledge the actions of the ancestors when in fact many of the ancestors had nothing to do with any of what is being discussed.  And when exactly can we just start apologizing for our own actions, you know, the one's we have actual control over?

Now, I understand there is this whole other discussion about "white privilege", which is a completely different animal.  And I can sympathize with some of it, but much of it I think is greatly overstated, specially in regards to the economic advantage.  But I digress.  I do understand that is a different debate.

I'm sorry, I just think there is just this grouping by many of all white people together, as if we are guilty for the sins of our fathers, despite the fact they aren't are fathers.  Why is it ok to group such an enormous amount of population together based only on skin tone, and not actual facts?  It just seems incredibly stupid to scream into a white person's face about their ancestor when we all know damn well how many different nationalities make up this great country of ours.

Thoughts????

It is a fact that some white people went into Africa to capture and enslave black Africans. It is also a fact that many black Africans were captured by other black Africans and sold to white slave traders from Europe and America. So, there is blood on the hands of ancestors both black and white in terms of the slave trade.

You have a point about painting with a broad brush. Germans were responsible electing and supporting Hitler and for the war he launched. Blaming all whites for this is folly. Similarly, Americans were responsible for electing and supporting Bush and for the war he launched. Blaming all whites for this is folly.

But, I think you are off base in your understanding of modern history in terms of race, class, and culture. A couple of books you might want to look at are From Slavery to Freedom by John Hope Franklin, Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin, and Native Son by Richard Wright. There you have a history book, an autobiography written by a white man who darkened his skin to live in the deep South as a black man and learn what it was like, and a novel. I think each could give you insights into race, class, and culture that you presently do not have.

I don't think the average white person consciously and deliberately holds malice in their heart toward blacks or other minorities at this point, although many do. But what is more insidious than consciously chosen and espoused racism is the institutional racism that our country is thick with. It is what drives the person you object to in the OP to lump all white people together, and also what drives people to dismiss 300 years of systematic oppression of blacks as "ancient history" and "irrelevant." 

To better understand the phenomenon of institutional racism I would, again, suggest reading more. For a good contemporary perspective from a black public figure you might want to follow Kareem Abdul Jabbar on twitter. He's written some good op-ed pieces in the last year that you can find in his Twitter feed and I believe he has a book coming out soon too.