09-25-2020, 06:19 PM
(09-25-2020, 05:37 PM)Dill Wrote: Mickey, I don't think racism of blacks towards whites, if it exists, is much of a problem.
It's interesting that you say that. We recently had a case where a group of black kids beat the crap out of an old man after accosting him because they "hate white people". I'm sure he'll be relieved that you don't think this is much of a problem though. He and all the other people I've seen victimized in a similar way.
Quote:Maybe in middle schools or something. Or prisons. How many black parents teach their children that whites are mentally inferior and dirty? How many white parents warn their children to be extra careful and polite around police because police are more likely to arrest whites?
How many black judges are there inclined to punish whites for their "privilege" or some such? (How many black judges are there at all?) How many black prosecutors suppose that society is better served by pushing harsher sentences on whites? How many black bankers reject loans to white applicants because of where they live? I am trying to visualize how it "goes both ways."
Also what do you make of cases like the Ferguson MO Police Dept., which used fines imposed on black residents as a source of funding? That is difficult to explain by a few bad apples who supposedly don't spoil the barrel. Or do police depts. become the apples now, a few bad, most good?
Yes, the old "it's only racism if you use institutional power" argument. I don't think you, and others who think like you, know how much damage you actually do to the cause you claim to support. Your position utterly alienates large amounts of people who would otherwise be receptive to your core message, that we need to be cognizant of, and address, racism in this country. When you minimize or excuse racism committed by any group other than whites what you essentially say is that those who have been victimized in that way don't matter. It also excuses, intentionally or not, the obvious racism present in ethnic groups other than whites.
A much better way to state this case would be to say that we should address racism in all forms but we should also be cognizant that, as of this moment, institutional racism is the most actively harmful to the largest group of people. Don't excuse, mitigate or minimize victims of racism who are white simply because you don't think their experiences are important enough. If your serious about attempting to end racism that is.
