Submitted by amoebashephard t3_10hr4ug in vermont
ceiffhikare t1_j5cf9ng wrote
My guess is the opening statement here:
" Highlight the fact that we as Vermonters are not fully aware of the systemic racism that is present in our majority “white” society "
That is pretty much calling all white people racists, and if you dont think you are then you are just too stupid to see it. Gee i wonder why people are a bit miffed,lol.
timberwolf0122 t1_j5clkmf wrote
No. Not racist, just oblivious. And oblivious is not synonymous with stupidity.
There are a lot of experiences a white guy will be very unlikely to experience that minorities or women do. It’s really eye opening to learn.
ceiffhikare t1_j5e1v9v wrote
Your choice of Oblivious implies ignorance, for some it might even be accurate. For most it is mere indifference and that seems to offend woke society at large. These kind of statements are meant to invoke shame in white people and to make them look like monsters if they dont. It is in the way that every statement is carefully crafted and worded to be just innocent enough to be missed. They build a framework that can lead to only one conclusion no matter how much evidence leads to other explanations.
timberwolf0122 t1_j5ernay wrote
I think you are assigning more malice than needed.
Woke doesn’t mean “white people are bad”. It does however mean one has to look at systematic racism as it stands that you may not be aware of. The right likes to frame this as an attack, it’s not.
ceiffhikare t1_j5evip5 wrote
I am assigning nothing more than an honest look at the messaging without any sense of guilt on behalf of those who came before me. The language is pretty clear from an objective point of view.
I freely acknowledge that at one time in our nation there was systemic racism, as recently as the first couple decades of my life. Using the mistakes and flaws of the past as a cudgel though is NOT the way forward. We can never make the past right but we can go forward together, i refuse to walk with those who demonize me for not being able to choose the shell i was born into.
timberwolf0122 t1_j5ew1l2 wrote
Being woke isn’t about beating people with the actions of there ancestors, it’s about make people aware of what happened, what continues to happen and that correcting a this together will take non passive actions.
Even today many BIPOC individuals suffer because of the loss of multigenerational enforced poverty
ceiffhikare t1_j5exy62 wrote
If we were being honest about its history then we would be calling out Christianity and Islam, not the demographic at the end of the slave trade. Probably Capitalism too as we still have quasi legal slavery in the form of prison labor. Hell the bottom earners of all colors are in a form of economic slavery as we have the choice to work or die since you cant even live off the land anymore.
Raising Everyone out of poverty, not just BIPOC is the right answer.
timberwolf0122 t1_j5f2y6u wrote
I agree with what you say, however the goal is to raise everyone out of poverty.. it’s just BIPOC folk have a substantially further to be pulled
Kixeliz t1_j5filmk wrote
You acting like this is something that used to be a problem and isn't anymore is exactly why statements like this are important. No, we won't just move on because you feel personally attacked because you were lucky enough to be born white. Color blindness is not a solution to addressing systemic racism, even if it helps you feel better about the situation.
https://fitchburgstate.libguides.com/c.php?g=1046516&p=7616506
[deleted] t1_j5fsoyc wrote
[deleted]
ceiffhikare t1_j5fukjo wrote
It is not a problem in the sense that there are now laws against it, society IS moving on. not only that but you can see in nearly every aspect of society policies that elevate POC over white people to the point where it is now almost a handicap in applying for positions in education and the labor force if you are white.
Painting an entire demographic as too stupid to know what is in their own minds and hearts is what statements like this do. IDC if your mad that im pushing back, no i dont feel attacked, i just think this crap is not needed and actually counterproductive to progress.
Kixeliz t1_j5fyi6s wrote
I can see why you deleted this comment:
> Nah man, you can whip yourself with the flail of white guilt but i aint taking none of that BS. Nobody chooses the shell we are thrust into. I would have loved to been born a minority
You really only see things from your own perspective and judge everything else accordingly. When the FBI is currently investigating Neo-Nazis sabotaging energy infrastructure in the northwest, when they march with tiki torches chanting 'Jews will not replace us,' it certainly seems like a certain sect of society does not, in fact, want to move on, let alone acknowledge the damage that's been done and continues. You got a 200-year head start and now you want everyone to play by the same rules.
ceiffhikare t1_j5g0edn wrote
No i deleted that comment..which you left off the last part of btw, because i am trying to be a bit nicer to.. others in general and rise above my instincts to just lash out.
We all see things from our own perspective, no matter what lies you tell yourself. The power station attacks have been talked about in right wing militia groups since the mid 90's when i first ran across them. The neo nazi's have always been chanting BS like that..where have you been for the last 30 years? You are right in there are many who do want to hang on to the hate, but its a very small vocal minority of white people overall that feel that way.
No i am only 50 yo not 200 so no head start. my family has been dirt poor for like 3 generations..wrong skin color so there were no programs to boost them ahead in life. We all had to work for our shit.
Kixeliz t1_j5g1693 wrote
but you were able to work for your shit, you were able to get loans and mortgages because the color of your skin was not a barrier. People seem to think systemic racism means white people don't have trials and tribulations in their life when what it really means is the color of their skin had no impact on those trials and tribulations.
You see a cop and you hope you won't get a speeding ticket, my black friend hopes he doesn't get killed and is terrified driving in lily white Vt. You can ignore the reality of the situation all you want, I have no illusions about changing the opinion of someone who actually wishes they were "born a minority."
ceiffhikare t1_j5g3d0m wrote
Yes damn straight i wish i had been born a POC of color! When i was looking in HS at grants and loans there were page after page for POC, didnt see shit there for white folks. That left the private sector, again i would have an instant foot in the door in any place i chose to apply at cause the Co. would get tax breaks to boost me..no i had to BS my way into jobs. So no you aint gonna change my mind on that.
As for your friend, well yeah police DO have a bias and again that is being addressed everyday as time goes on, ACAB as far as im concerned tbh.
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