Lord of the Sword, on 27 July 2016 - 07:41 PM, said:
QueenTiye, on 27 July 2016 - 01:14 PM, said:
You're joking, right? Also how do YOU feel about the fact that the White House was built by slaves?
QT
I don't agree, or approve, of any slavery. However unpalatable it may be though, it is a part of our history. And to be perfectly honest, til I heard Michelle say that complaint, I had no idea who had built the White House. I have no idea whether or not slaves built the capitol building, or the USSC house either.
Do I care about the fact that slaves built the White House? To be perfectly honest, not really. Slavery a couple hundred years ago. And while it most definitely should be taught and learned about in our schools, so that history doesn't repeat itself. Who built what buildings just doesn't interest me. But that is me.
I also wasn't on the national stage complaining about it. Like I said before, if Michelle has a problem living in a building built by slaves, nobody is forcing her to remain there. I also find it highly hypocritical of a democrat to speak out about slavery, since historically it was the democrats that were for Slavery, back during the civil war.
You have decided that racism does not affect you.
You have the privilege of deciding that racism doesn’t affect you.
You have the privilege of choosing to, or not to, learn about the insidious and invidious racist building blocks of our society, our culture.
Choosing to learn requires listening emphatically and empathically to a plurality of the voices of those who are affected by racism. People who are denied a choice in letting racism into their lives.
I have the privilege to decide, for myself, that you have nothing of substance to say on racism because of the above, because you seem to choose not to listen, not to learn.
I am white and have never been subjected to discrimination because of my complexion.
I haven’t decided racism doesn’t affect me, in fact I have decided that it does.
It is the same with rape or sexual assault, and homophobia.
Though I am more familiar with social issues that do affect me, among them misogyny and sexism.
Does one have to know everything regarding every social issue? No.
But realize you have the privilege of not having to deal with various -isms and –phobias and miso-s that are the bane of our society, our culture. If you want to become educated on these issues you have to listen to people knowledgeable by these issues.
One has to know what the problem is before one can speak knowledgeable about it. Few dispute this when it comes to math or science, why is it any different when it comes to racism and other oppressions?
And people affected by these issues know the issues better. However due to these social issues they are often not positioned well to express their experiences to, nor to be heard/seen by, people with privileges. Privileged persons should have less authority on the subject, but they often have more actual influence on discussions, and actions or inactions taken.
Sure, not all of any peoples’ diverse discussions or proposal are gold, but the caliber of those who have not lived these experiences are sorely lacking.
How do you recognize, discuss, or address racism? What are your solutions?
An “I don’t know” answer is fine. It is your attitude towards those trying to shared their lived experiences that leaves something to be desired. I would encourage you to listen and learn about these issues. You have the privilege to do so or not. And I mean privilege in both its negative and position connotations here.
Asking questions if fine too, if you want to learn. You get to choose and prioritize if, and what, you spend time on issues that don’t effect you.
But if you choose to not know or are not willing to learn but insist on loudly strong-arm your way into these discussions all you are doing is getting in the way of many people who do want to sincerely want to recognize and discuss issues, and to hopefully effect change.
For issues that don’t affect you, you sure seem to want to obstruct, obscure, distract, and deplete the efforts of people who are dealing with real issues that affect them.
Why? Is this fun for you? To take away attention, time and energy from those trying to create meaningful dialogue and change?
This is not a game for them.
This is not a game.
Edited by sierraleone, 29 July 2016 - 06:34 AM.
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