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Privilege

What Do Black People Want? Opening a Dialogue on Racism and Privilege

This a guest post from Ramou Sarr.

One of the most frustrating aspects about discussions of race, racism and privilege, is that you are never quite sure when you are finished. The resolution is dissonant and it can be disheartening to trudge through so much emotion but emerge sans resolution. One party – the White party – is often left wondering what exactly it is that the other party – the Black party – wants from them.

White privilege is a set of unearned privileges that one benefits from because they are White. It is both a favored state of one race over another as well as a systematic conferred dominance of one race over another. Research scientist and anti-racist activist Peggy McIntosh has become the point person for the unpacking of Whiteness since her 1988 article, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, listed twenty-six examples of how she benefits from her race. Among these benefits were:

I can swear, or dress in second hand clothes, or not answer letters, without having people attribute these choices to the bad morals, the poverty, or the illiteracy of my race. I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group. If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven’t been singled out because of my race.  I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.

These privileges benefit White people without them having to do anything in order to receive them. The fact that these privileges just are is in part what contributes to the uncertainty among White people when it comes to what to do about it.

Let me first tell you what Black people don’t want. We don’t want your guilt. White guilt does absolutely nothing for me or any other person of color. While your hours spent Googling poverty in America or examining the mass incarceration of Black males leaves you feeling as though you want that burden of privilege lifted, you leave us – the Black folks – rolling our eyes and annoyed that you have managed to turn a discussion about racism and Black oppression into one about you. The problem with White guilt is that, in addition to being incredibly useless, it serves as a passive approach to shift responsibility away from yourself; as if feeling guilty about your privilege is your contribution to ending racism. That’s it. You wipe your hands of it.

Writer and filmmaker Molly Secours attended a diversity conference alongside African American diversity activist, Dr. Francis Cress Welsing, and told Welsing that because she understood White privilege and veered away from certain terminology she didn’t feel as though she was privileged. Secours had concluded that because she was aware of racism and privilege she wasn’t a part of the system that oppresses the Black community. To which Welsing responded, “I beg to differ. We don’t need you to fix us. What Black and brown people want from White people is to fix yourselves.”

This encounter highlights a rather interesting aspect of privilege denying that often occurs when a White person is confronted with their privilege. In some instances a White person will become defensive, deny that their privilege exists, and point to the Black community as the source of their own oppression. On the other end, and as Secours has done here, a White person will acknowledge their privilege, feel guilty about Black oppression, and then attempt to separate themselves from those White people who contribute to racism. Secours’ guilt had seemingly alleviated her of any responsibility she had to address the problem of racism that continues to tug on our proverbial coat sleeves, daring us to look. Secours’ acceptance of White privilege and acknowledgment of Black oppression seemed to her to be enough. And that is precisely it.

Issues of racism and privilege have always fallen on the shoulders of the Black community. The problems that plague us are perceived to be problems that we have brought upon ourselves by continuing to fall into the stereotypes of lazy, poor, unintelligent criminals, who refuse to pull ourselves up by our metaphorical bootstraps in order to escape the burden of Blackness that we have carried on our shoulders for so long. White people today feel no responsibility for the state of the Black community because slavery and the Jim Crow era were so long ago!

No, you may not have owned slaves. And maybe you have never personally contributed to the systematic oppression that has for hundreds of years led to substantially higher unemployment, poverty and incarceration rates among the Black community. But here we are. Acknowledging that you are a part of the problem, despite not intentionally contributing to the oppression/privilege dichotomy, as well as part of the solution is imperative to confronting the issue.

Now what do Black people want? Quite simply: We want you to get over yourselves. What is perhaps the hardest concept to grasp when discussing racism and privilege is that despite the White (mostly male) population being looked to as the authoritative voice on pretty much everything, this is quite possibly the one subject in which there is no doubt that people of color are, and always will be, the experts.

I ask that you listen to your Black counterparts when they attempt to explain these subjects to you. We have in almost every instance been thinking about these subjects and discussing their implications and significance for far longer than you have, as your privilege allows you to be oblivious to them everyday. Your privilege makes it possible for you to not see race, to buy in to the ideology of a “post-racial America,” an ideology that is nearly laughable to people of color, to rid yourself of the burden of race and racism.

You must continue to be diligent in examining your privilege as people of color continue to examine their other-ness. Not a day goes by where I do not think about my Blackness. I am constantly aware that I am Black and often stepping into White spaces, either on the Internet via various social media, or in my everyday life – when I get on the T, get post-work drinks with friends or take advantage of panels and discussions around Boston. I am aware that I am almost always one of few people of color nearly everywhere I go and this is an awareness of which I, and many of my Black brothers and sisters, are incapable of escaping. What we want from you, White people, is an acknowledgment that these things exist and will continue to exist so long as we stray away from the sometimes painful and emotion-laden discourse that seeks to rush race and privilege to the forefront, no longer hiding behind the veil of this being someone else’s problem. We need to talk about it until it doesn’t hurt anymore.

About the Author: Ramou Sarr is a Boston-area public defense paralegal and social sciences graduate student. She can be found drinking her fifth cup of coffee at a Harvard Square bookstore or online at www.ramou.tumblr.com.

By Rebecca Healy

My goal is to help you find meaningful work, enjoy the heck out of it, and earn more money.

51 replies on “What Do Black People Want? Opening a Dialogue on Racism and Privilege”

In terms of continuing the open dialogue on racism and privilege I think that the Black community (although I think that it should be stated that I don’t speak for all Black people, which is what makes this post somewhat ironic) should be patient with White people when these issues come up. It’s easy for this to simply turn into an angry back and forth with one party just thinking that the other doesn’t GET IT and never will.

Or are you speaking more towards what should Black people do to end racism?

There is still a lot of healing that needs to be done within the Black community to strengthen the bond that we have with one another as well as our mobility and power as a group.

But I also want to point to Welsing’s statement about White people needing to fix themselves. Racism and privilege are perpetuated by the strength and dominance of the White community.

I’m curious as to your thoughts on what White people need to do.

Not being American, or even White in American standards, I wouldn’t know. It seems to me, however, that most of them are doing the best they can. Again, not sure because I don’t live there.

I do know, however, that nothing changes through convincing and finger pointing. Even if you’re right, I wonder about the effectiveness of a post like this, which only helps accentuate differences instead of bring people together. White people have to look into themselves, got it. Shouldn’t we all do the same?

Why do Black people have to do anything? They are not the reason racism exists. I liked this video from Chris Rock in which he states progress is the result of White people becoming less crazy.

Having said that, I think one of the few options Black people have is to be open to talking about racism and privilege, which on Twitter you say is part of the reason discrimination still exists. I see the basis of all change coming from conversations, so I’m not sure where you’re coming from on that.

As Ramou points out in the post, the onus is already continually on Black people. White people act like it’s Black people’s responsibility to explain everything (which I have acted like before myself). White people rarely acknowledge or talk about these issues. White people should look into themselves because Black people are already doing that every single day in every single situation. They can’t escape doing it.

Re: your other comments on Twitter – I’m not clear on what you mean, contextual vs static.

All I’m saying is pointing fingers and saying that white people are still evil or whatever is not helping. Again, from what I’ve seen in my travels, and what my friends in the US tell me (from all races and sexes), they seem to be doing the best they can. I just don’t see this post as helpful.

Yes, conversation is where change begins. But it’s also where it stops, if we NEVER stop looking for the problem. One of my biggest issues with any sort of discrimination, is the typical belief that correlation means causation. In any form of discrimination, looking for something means finding it. Even if it wasn’t really there to begin with.

Also, racism, in my opinion, is too simple, too easy, too broad to really explain what’s happening. The more we accept that racism or sexism is the one and only explanation, the further we are form the truth and from ending this problem forever.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. In “Thinking in Systems”, one of the best points that the author makes, is that the bigger the system, the bigger the delay of change. Does not mean that it’s not happening, it just means that it takes time. Again, pointing to this, only slows it down more.

Another thing: differences do exist, and they are great. One of the best moments I had in Australia, was celebrating our differences with my African and Asian friends, laughing our asses off in the process. The only thing that we have to make sure of is that everyone gets the same OPPORTUNITIES, not to lie to ourselves that we are all the same.

Finally, my Twitter comment: racism is usually misunderstood, because of this belief in it being static. For example, black people may be the discriminated in America, but they are not discriminated at all in Argentina. Here, it’s more about “brown” people. None of them are the target in Australia, over there it’s mostly aborigines. Depending on the context, it’s the kind of profiling and “racism” that you’ll see. In my opinion, it’s much more helpful to understand the reasons for that profiling instead of keep assuming that guilt and abuse is the explanation for everything.

But… Ramou never said White people are evil. Not once. Not even remotely. It’s strange to me that you’re jumping to that conclusion. Evil is a very strong word.

I generally think White people are doing the best they can… given the knowledge that they have. But most are ignorant just by virtue of having White privilege. Most White people are surrounded by other White people – that’s part of privilege. You can’t abide by “when you know better, you do better” if you never try to know better, or are never put in a situation where you have to know better.

And I’m not sure what “doing the best they can” entails really… is it having a few Black friends? Employing the token Black employee? Not crossing the street when a Black man is approaching you? Because if you want people to recognize the systematic reasons for racism, you’re going to have to ask them to do more than all that.

I generally understand your other points. But I do want to point out that you can’t understand the reasons for racism until you first acknowledge the guilt/abuse.

Sorry, when I used the “evil” word I thought it was clear that it’s just the general exaggeration, it was for argumentation. Of course, I’m not saying this is what the author said.

Again, can white people do better? Sure. Everyone everywhere can do better, which is why I asked the author “what should black people do?” Saying that they don’t have to do anything doesn’t seem right to me. Everyone should lead by example, everyone should just look into themselves.

Doing the best they can is whatever they are doing. Since I don’t see them with hoods or slaves, I’m hoping they are really interested in a fair world. Aggression and blame only makes people more defensive. I acknowledge the guilt and abuse (although I believe that white people in america today are being blamed MOSTLY for mistakes of previos generations), but I believe most people do. That’s why they are trying.

I’m all for no racism. I dare you to find any person that’s ever met me from any continent that thinks of me as racist. It’s because I’ve seen much more love and equality than actual racism that I’m against this post. It’s because I want racism to stop, that I disagree with what’s being said here. Especially the way it’s being said.

I think you’re disagreeing with the concept of privilege then (and that’s maybe why you disagree with “the way it’s being said” – because Ramou wasn’t aggressive in the post; she just explained what privilege is). Privilege means that White people are in a better position simply because they are White. They may be doing the best they can to eliminate racism, but part of that is acknowledging that they might not deserve everything they have because of privilege. I don’t want to speak for Black people, but my understanding of that is that Black people don’t expect anything in return or any reparations because of that, only an acknowledgement that privilege exists.

I think the distinction is, you can live your life every day and not be racist, love, and treat people equally, but if you don’t acknowledge privilege, it will be hard to address the systematic reasons of why racism continues.

I’m also curious to hear some examples of White people doing the best they can and what White people are doing to fight racism.

Saying that racism will go away if we just quit talking about it is 1. An example of your privilege and 2. Simply too easy. The fact of the matter is that we are different, as you said. And racism continues to exist on both small and large, systematic scales. Black people are discriminated against because they are Black everyday. How does not talking about that make it go away?

Rebecca seems to be doing the best she can, and trying to fight racism. I’d say she’s a good example.

1. My privilege? I’ve been held in almost every airport I’ve been to, while all the “white” people go right through. My bet is that they think I’m a Latinamerican druglord.

2. Please, re-read my previous comments.

You have yet to really give me any concrete examples on what all these White people are doing. What do you think that Rebecca is doing to fight racism? Anyone else you know?

If you don’t self-identify as White, then White privilege may not apply to you. However, if phenotypically you appear to be White, then it often does.

I don’t recall ever calling you a racist, but please point me to where I did if that’s how you feel.

Just because White people don’t have slaves or wear hoods doesn’t mean that they may not say or do things that are racist or contribute to racism. It’s also important to distinguish between the “What They Did” and the “What They Are” conversatin, which I think that Jay Smooth does a very good job with here.

I agree with you in that change doesn’t occur overnight, but what do you suggest that we do in the mean time? It sounds as though you’re suggesting that we all just wait it out, and of course let me know if I’m assuming incorrectly. That suggestion would be problematic because doing nothing is not what has led to the little progress (and we can debate how much progess has been made) that we have had.

The reason black people have to explain if because so many whites are oblivious and we are repeatedly told that we do not understand. So we are condemned for not understanding and then you’re condemning us for accepting the fact that we can’t understand and asking black people to explain it to us? The reason white people do not like to participate in these discussions is simple the fact that everything we say or think is automatically wrong and we will be villanized for it. Please tell us the right way not to be racist since we cannot get it right.
             ps. white people did not invent racism. the fact that groups of people looked different from other groups of people  combined with wars for land and conquest and people being stupid in general is what created racism.  And white people did not invent slavery. We’re not even the last people to practice slavery. no matter who you are there is a good chance that one of your ancestors was abused or enslaved by one of your other ancestors regardless of race.  I’m not defending racism and I”m not defending slavery just to be clear, jugding people on anything but they’re actions and inner attributes is dumb as hell.
      anyways while I”m sure I’m still going to be called a nazi or insensitive let me ask a question. In regards to slavery, why is all the outrage against white people who bought black slaves and not against the black tribes who sold their black enemies to the white people?
       We are all fucking each other over all the time for stupid and superficial reasons. This one has ovaries, put her in the kitchen, that ones fat she can’t be a receptionist.  This one’s gay he’s not allowed to murder men with the straight people. by focusing on one form of social idiocy you are missing the big picture.  The goal should be that everyone who is not a rich male sociopath should not have to be penalized for it or denied opportunity. Notice I didn’t say just say white because being a rich man is still an advantage no matter where you go. being a sociopath is actually more likely to make you a ceo (seriously is there any other explanation for those jerks?
      Anyways, by arguing who has it worse you’re not doing anything to make anything better.  And in regards to who has it worse, that’s entirely on an individual basis. I think those six girls who were killed by their father for the sake of honor (4 simply because they argued with their fathers decision to kill the two who were dating boys) had it far worse than a black man who can’t make it into management. It both sucks, they’re both stupid and wrong, but neither the problems of perception and ignorance that caused both have the same root- people choosing to deal with their lack of self esteem by taking another group and deciding that this group is evil and deserved to be ground under their heel.
    okay let the bashing of this post begin.

Like Carlos says, I disagree with some of what’s being said here, and how it’s being said.

I loved reading this from an African-American’s perspective but found this statement a bit troubling: ‘…to rid yourself of the burden of race and racism’ – what is this burden of which you speak? Will the current generation of privileged white people always have to bear the burden of the sins of their fathers? If yes, I find such a viewpoint similar to that of some mainland Chinese who believe that the Japanese will always have to bear the burden of the Nanking genocide and various other atrocities the Japanese committed against the Chinese (and the numpties crow that the recent natural disasters are payback for what their Japanese ancestors did to our ancestors). Now I have no great love for some aspects of Japanese culture, and I’m not saying this because I am an Overseas Chinese – but I do not believe the current generation of Japanese should bear the burden of their ancestors’ misdeeds. I do not believe they are the problem any more than privileged white people are, unless they are actively perpetrating racism and privilege.

I am quite aware of my own majority privilege, having grown up in a land where 70% of the population are ethnic southern Chinese. Here I can do all of what McIntosh says and not have it attributed to my race. But I am also painfully aware of my ‘other-ness’ as an Asian female living in a postcolonial society, where whiteness is still glorified and gets not-so-subtle preferential treatment, and interacting with the world out there, which tends to be white-male-privilege. In a way I *sort of* get both sides of the coin.

Unless we stop burdening current generations with the sins of the fathers we will never move on. I’m not saying we should not battle systemic or blatant discrimination – we always always should. Life goes on – yes, terrible atrocities and injustices were inflicted on many different peoples – but we need to stop this ‘burden’ mentality.

Like Carlos says, I disagree with some of what’s being said here, and how it’s being said.

I loved reading this from an African-American’s perspective but found this statement a bit troubling: ‘…to rid yourself of the burden of race and racism’ – what is this burden of which you speak? Will the current generation of privileged white people always have to bear the burden of the sins of their fathers? If yes, I find such a viewpoint similar to that of some mainland Chinese who believe that the Japanese will always have to bear the burden of the Nanking genocide and various other atrocities the Japanese committed against the Chinese (and the numpties crow that the recent natural disasters are payback for what their Japanese ancestors did to our ancestors). Now I have no great love for some aspects of Japanese culture, and I’m not saying this because I am an Overseas Chinese – but I do not believe the current generation of Japanese should bear the burden of their ancestors’ misdeeds. I do not believe they are the problem any more than privileged white people are, unless they are actively perpetrating racism and privilege.

I am quite aware of my own majority privilege, having grown up in a land where 70% of the population are ethnic southern Chinese. Here I can do all of what McIntosh says and not have it attributed to my race. But I am also painfully aware of my ‘other-ness’ as an Asian female living in a postcolonial society, where whiteness is still glorified and gets not-so-subtle preferential treatment, and interacting with the world out there, which tends to be white-male-privilege. In a way I *sort of* get both sides of the coin.

Unless we stop burdening current generations with the sins of the fathers we will never move on. I’m not saying we should not battle systemic or blatant discrimination – we always always should. Life goes on – yes, terrible atrocities and injustices were inflicted on many different peoples – but we need to stop this ‘burden’ mentality.

Thanks for weighing in, Jules! I’m sure Ramou will have her own comments, but what I got out of the burden vocabulary was that privilege allows us to not have to deal with racism in general and as a result, most of us think we live in a post-racial society. White people don’t want to have to necessarily acknowledge that we have privilege and if we do acknowledge privilege, it can be quite uncomfortable. As I mention below, most White people are surrounded by other White people – that’s part of privilege. And another part is that White people experience a certain life simply because they are White. To me, it is less about the burden of past generations, and more about the burden that racism still exists even though I may not be doing anything actively to contribute to that.

It’s an extremely sensitive and nuanced issue though and I definitely get what you and Carlos are saying in that we can’t blame or put additional burden on the current generation.

Thanks for your insight into Japanese and Chinese culture as it relates to privilege.

When I say that White people don’t have the burden of race and racism I mean that White people don’t have to look at race in the same way that Black people do. White people may not see racism as often or as clearly as Black people because they aren’t the ones being discriminated against, it’s not as in their face, so they don’t have to see it. White people have the privilege of not seeing race.

In response to your last paragraph, it’s hard for Black people to feel bad for White people for having to “pay for the sins of their fathers,” because Black people are still paying. Athough that’s not really what I’m asking White people to do. Maybe White people are not directly responsible for the systematic oppression of people of color now, but these things still exist. Who do we point to to fix it other than to those of us who are here now?

You are incorrect in your comment that “white people are not discriminated against”….are you serious? There are several major metro areas, including my old home in Atlanta, GA, that are definetely dominated by black people. I worked in a state agency in Atl and was one of the 3-4 white people in a workplace of 200 people…..not to mention the differences in financial aid opportunities for schooling, etc. In many ways, if you can wrap your mind around it, it is the white male in this country who carries the largest burden, and gets the least amount of support in doing so. Take a look at the next homeless guy you see and note the color of his face. 

It’s really hard to tell who is trolling you these days. But in the case that you’re serious and really want to have this discussion you can send me your email and I’d be glad to send you some research re: the definition and significance of White privilege (have you unpacked your invisible knapsack yet?), systematic oppression and prison statistics. I would also love to put together a collage of the homeless community in Boston for you and would be more than happy to send you a list of HBCUs that you would most likely receive a lot of financial aid for if you’re worried about money for college. 

It’s not as simple as you’re making it when you try to reduce white privilege and systemic oppression to the “sins of their fathers.” The sin is historic, yes. It’s also ongoing. It permeates our society. And white people living today both perpetuate it (some do) and benefit from it (all do). And I don’t believe that Ramou is asking white people to “pay” for racism, but to recognize it, work with people of color to fix it, and at the very least, not try to make themselves into victims. That seems entirely reasonable to me.

I was pointing out the one thing I disagreed with and how it was being said; otherwise I agree 100% with what Ramou wrote. Having experienced racism myself I would never reduce it to something so simplistic as ‘sins of the fathers’. My point is that unless we do away with the burden mentality, we will never move on – I should have elaborated – not moving on and pretending all is well, but moving on to ‘fix it’ as Ramou says.

Ugh, sorry Rebecca, could you delete the comment under ‘yanjm’ and this as well – I had no idea I had an existing Disqus account and logged in with it.

The dialogue in the comments here are very interesting – I read through all of them.

Ramou, I love your articulation here and the points that you brought up. Racism hurts in many ways and in terms of discrimination, there is A LOT of that around the world. Not just in the U.S. I think many people could relate, no matter the color of your skin, depending on income, beliefs, geography, etc. I would never speak for anyone but myself (not even my entire race) because it’s too vast and varying, but Re: Carlos’ point, I think that speaking and communicating is always useful.

I’m not sure if pointing the finger is the answer, because I’m all about action and the HOW versus the you NEED, but I’m still really appreciating the voice and that you wrote here on Kontrary. I wonder if “talking about it until it doesn’t hurt anymore,” is one of the only solutions? What sort of action should take place besides the communication?

Great comment! And I love that you bring up how racism exists everywhere, even if it’s on a different scale than in America.

This thread has highlighted a lot about what isn’t happening. I woudn’t say that I’m pointing the finger, only asking that we acknowledge that these things exist and that we continue to have civil discourse about them. But there are still a lot of people who are not willing to have this conversation. I obviously have my own opinions on why that is, but would love to hear from others on why they think that not more people want to talk about this.

To be honest, I’m not really sure what the next step is after communication. I do think, however, that before we even get there we have to be willing to talk about it, and that’s clearly a tough hurdle to get over. Attending a diversity conference would be a good place to start.

Yes – attending a diversity conference is a good example (how often or accessible are these?) I think the point is that “White” people aren’t the only problem (yes, they’re part of it) because there are many issues around the world between many cultures.

I think the action step is particularly important. Everyone I know and choose to have in my “inner circle” are extremely open, doing “their part,” and I don’t even see racism because I simply won’t stand for it and everyone I know, doesn’t see color, they see love, heart, intelligence, etc. I’m not denying that it doesn’t exist, unfortunately, we all know it’s very prevalent.

I believe there is a paradigm shift that needs to take place. Communication probably helps the shift.

I suppose as I was thinking/writing out loud that we should never hide from the truth. You’re encouraging us to communicate and even feel empathy from ALL sides of the fence. I really believe that knowledge is power and sometimes, people just don’t have access or don’t understand how another race, group, system, religion, etc. operates because they simply are not X. Can’t blame them for that.

I hope we can all keep our minds open like parachutes. This is a huge reason why I encourage travel. People who have never left their state, let alone their own country are fairly limited when it comes to understanding privilege, race, culture, food, currency, etc.

I am fascinated by race. But sometimes it feels like such a huge and suffocatingly large issue.

I think communication is a good start though. Sometimes people are tempted to skip this step. For example, the introduction of desegregation busing, which addresses a symptom and not a cause of the segregation that is still prominent across many American communities. On NPR a few weeks ago I also heard a story about a park named after Martin Luther King refusing to put in a dog park because of the dogs that were used against blacks during the Civil Rights Movement. That is absurd reasoning. Not only is that drawing a connection to a racially instigated act of violence that would otherwise not exist, but it is actually thwarting the promotion of community, across all creeds and colors. How sad!

I think it is important that we all, not only blacks and whites but everyone, look back at the historical and social causes of racism. Not only so we all can move forward, but also so we can avoid doing anything similar again; just look at how society is continuing to alienate Muslims and those assumed to be Muslims. Although it stems from a different historical context it is beginning to boil down to the same thing: seeing only differences in another human being and forming judgement based on physical factors, then acting on these judgements in inappropriate and, quite frankly, insane ways.

We have a long way to go, but I agree with Ramou that communication is an important part of the solution. Is it the be all and end all? No, of course not. But there is so much hate and uncertainty and fear prevalent today, even in the dialogue of politicians and the media, that only the process of knowledge, then understanding, then action, will be the antithesis of such negativity and divisiveness.

I think that personally, that’s what I find hardest about discussing racial issues and racism; the divisiveness. Naturally I don’t want to point out these differences that have been imposed on us and go towards making me feel different from another human being based only on how I look in comparison to someone else. I don’t want to be treated differently, I don’t want to treat anyone else differently based on prejudices I may or may not have inherited; it doesn’t make sense. Is it selfish to feel that way? Yes. But I also know that we do have to talk about these things because the issues do exist, and so perhaps once we get to the point when “it doesn’t hurt anymore” then none of us will feel divided or closed off from one another in any amount, not based on color anyway, and that selfishness will evaporate also.

(As an aside, right now at Discovery Place in uptown Charlotte there is an exhibit on race and I am absolutely dying to go.)

You are dead on with race being a “suffocatingly large issue.”

I’ve had some time to think about this and have spoken with other friends and have changed my mind a little on some of my comments yesterday. I’m going to retract what I said about not pointing fingers. I am pointing fingers. And I am pointing them at White people. Rebecca mentioned yesterday in response to Carlos that perhaps Black people shouldn’t have to do anything in re: fighting racism. Piggy-backing on what the both of us said yesterday, the finger has always been pointed at Black people and other POC to fix this racism problem. While I understand where you’re coming from, Harriet, about all of us having to look back at our history, I also think Black people have and are and will continue to be reminded of the history of this country so long as racism exists. The idea that Black people are genetically inferior to White people (which is simply factually incorrect) didn’t just fall out of the sky. That ideology stems from slavery, delivered by the hands of White men, and continues to serve as the basis and justification for racial disparity today. To deny that we are still bearing the burden of slavery today is simply irresponsible. And of course talking about that is uncomfortable, but so what?

It’s also worth noting that these conversations are hard for White people to have, or that it’s hard for White people to talk about their privilege, because it’s actually pretty great being White. Discussions of White privilege being problematic inevitably lead to discussions of a world in which it didn’t exist. And thinking about a world in which White people may have to give up a little bit and no longer have that privilege is scary.

In terms of what else to do besides communication, I don’t have all the answers, but think that this the communication is a giant and great step. I’m curious to hear what you or anyone else thinks should be the next step.

Oh I totally agree. I would never say that black people are not bearing the burden of slavery today. I think it’s more than obvious enough that in many respects we have not come all that far at all. I actually did my MA dissertation on the identities of mixed race women in literature. And race, although it contributes to a person’s physical attributes, is forced to be recognized as our internal self too, by society. I have two adopted brothers; one is black. And it’s so strange to me that we could be faced with different circumstances just because we look different. We were brought up in the same household with the same parents, and although yes, our experiences have been different and we are naturally inclined to act and react differently, we are forced on some level to realize our differences also. My parents in many ways are hypersensitive to the race issues he (has not yet but) may one day face. It’s something that they’ve always felt they need to prepare him for, to make sure he’s strong within himself and his self identity (and he does have a very strong sense of self).

I couldn’t even begin to suggest a next step because I simply don’t know enough, about what the government’s role is, the education system, individual communities and so on. But what I do know is that the more we talk about it the easier it’ll be, and the fewer obstacles we’ll encounter as we move towards an ultimate solution.

I love the topic and many of the comments here are on point.  But they don’t really address the question: What do Black People Want?.
 
The answer is ‘too much of the wrong thing’.  As a Black man I will tell you that the never ending debate on Racism is a reflection of misplaced priorities in the black community.  The LOVE of White America is number 1 on a list of misplaced priorities that make the RACE issue a Hot Air balloon that will never land and float on forever.  99.999% of white people that are living in America today have nothing to feel guilty about. If there are any White people that should feel guilty it would be those in the media. I’ll explain why in a sec. But first let me say that:
A. There is too much money earned in the Black community (upward of $600 billion) for there to be financial discrimination.
B. Compared to the mistreatment of our ancestors and what they were able to overcome, and compared to the mistreatment that ethnic caucasians, blacks, asians, and arabs, endure around the world everyday; everything that blacks gripe about today in America is the equivalent of crying over chapped lips.
 
Whats being confused with a feeling of Racism, or how far we still have to go in this country with more opportunity that any on earth, is lack of self estheem, that produces a lack of accountability and unity. And when everything for the last 400 years has been the “White Man’s” fault, these issues get swept up into the hot air balloon. The intraspective focus and healing that is necessary to address these issues can be daunting when from the earliest of ages black children are taught to “watch out” for white folks, impress white folks, avoid white folks, rebel against white folks, immulate white folks, etc.  It doesn’t leave much time to address a planned racial identity or racial strategy.  Good things happen to individual blacks and bad things happen to individual blacks. But it is still INDIVIDUAL.
 
But I will say, to finish my point about Hollywood and the Media, is that the biggest contributing factor that the majority race has played in this identity crisis that is being called racism is this. I’m 38 years of old and I, like a lot of black kids that grew up in the first generation of blacks that really lived like white kids (or better), have watched plenty of Televison and Movies.  I can’t remember but one (all or majority) black, somewhat what positive,  Black cartoon. Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. And the real tragedy is that also in my 38 years I can only reference one Current to period, GOONIE/Harry Potter like science fiction, or action adventure film that has been majority black.  Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. And if it wasn’t for the Cosby Show.  I hate to think of what the African American Psyche would be like if it wasn’t for Bill Cosby.
 
Like I said I/we were and have been watching plenty of TV and Movies and if it wasn’t all those cartoons  action pics, and TV shows that depicted so many Positive White images, it was Boyz in the Hood, or Menace to Society, Good Times,  Etc.Etc.Etc. Violence, Violence, Poverty.  The glorification of violence, poverty, and distress combined with the absence of productive/positive situations and role models, being pumped into millions of black homes and into the minds of millions of black youth, has created a slightly deranged mentaltiy for African Americans.  Success is based on what the Tube says it is, Beauty is what the Tube says it is, and more tragically blacke people and a black existence in America is what the Tube says it is. Even if America, White People, and Reality are doing nothing to hold black people back it doesn’t matter. Media/TV brainwashing, “black leaders”, and a lack of a focus on unity and accountability will maintain the status quo.  

I feel like white people live on eggshells for the black world we live in. I see black power shirts and every issue is considered a race issue. It’s hard to more on when it’s continuously in your face. I’m not saying race isn’t an issues at times but many people use it as an excuse for their behavior in a work place. We have a black presidents, multi “black shows”, black movie stars and many great professional athletes. I recently spoke with a black women who explained to me how black people are raised to think about white people like whites think about blacks. I felt good being able to talk openly about race without being judged. She’s an absolutely wonderful person, not because of her color but because of who she is. Let’s just be good to each other. It’s like a bad relationship where someone puts the past in your face all the time. Just stop and enjoy being good to each other. How would a black person feel if I wore a white power shirt the same way I feel when a black person wheres a black power shirt.

Systems of Oppression still exists via drug laws, prison industrial complexes, exclusion of African American bodies of knowledge to mainstream academic spheres, under-representation in almost every sphere of American life ( media, commercialism) , Ideological Superiority of Whiteness etc the list goes on. I hear people saying that the sins of the father are not the sins of the sons & (daughters).   But if these systems of oppression are in place and these same sons and daughters do nothing but ignore the realities of many peoples of color they are upholding via ignorance or intent. In case some of you people don’t know color blindness is also a form of racism because it gives whites the privilege to not see race which in return allows them not to see systematic discrimination that manifest itself de facto and de jure. 

I agree with so much of what you say. I approached your ideas with complete honesty and had to wonder if I am one of those white people. I am not sure.
This is what I believe,
Racism exists and thirves. Sure we changed laws but that does not change the thoughts in mens minds. Men find ways around laws.
If we as a ‘people’ fully believed and supported the civil rights movement, we would have gone to any lengths to promote equality..to create programs, support systems and laws to not only protect black people but to educate and ensure that white people fully understood history.
No white person can ever understand the impact 12 generations of slavery has. Even worse, noone has ever tried!!!
It infuriates me that such horrific injustices were common practice in this country. Once equal rights were granted, those atrocities were ignored, even diminshed!!
Yet, to this day, our country can declare war in the name of freeing oppressed people around the world.
How could racism not exist?
I am the mother of a mixed child. Every day I see the gaps that exist in our society that are so blatantly ignored to the point that iggnorance is taking over…new generations have no idea about the past,. have no understanding about the term racism…

tHEwhite academics created this white privilege nonsense all comes from affluent backgrounds without a question. My grandparents were from Appalechia Mountains. They live in a converted boxcar sometimes my father didn’t even have shoes. His father and black lung disease. My father went in the military as that was the only way out of generations in dire poverty.

I can guarantee you that not of the white privilege hucksters ever lived in a poor neighborhood that was predominately black. That happened to us later on when we moved West. Because when I was young I had a thick ‘HIllbilly accent, I was an open target for abuse from all quarters. Of course I was beaten to a pulp by groups of blacks on half a dozen occasions. However I wasn’t nearly as popular target as were the few Asians have lived in the area.

I also had to go into the military then came out on the G.I. Bill and still work 40 hours a week to obtain my bachelors and Masters. I also went through speech training to lose all traces of my accident. I got real tired of the deliverance jokes any immediate violent hatred of the minority of black people. I would like to take Tim Wise to my old hood(carson/Compton) and let him stay here for a year. If THEY survived the would be cared of his white privilege nonsense.

My background is Nordic and Irish none of my ancestors came from whiteland none of them spoke whitish . None of them owned slaves, some of them fought for the Confederacysome for the union based entirely on what is lived.

I really need lessons from black people such as Julian Bond whose father was a college professor on my white privilege. Mr. Bond was also the one that came up with the Confederate swastika. Of course it was the sons of the South and antepartum fighting against the Nazis and I have an uncle I will never meet who was killed during the invasion of Anzio. The two highest ranking generals killed during the war were Simon Bolivar Buckner and Nathan Bedford Forrest

and great-grandson of Confederate generals. General Patton both years grandfather and great uncle were killed in the Civil War fighting for the Confederacy. Without him and the many other senators proceeded Confederate battle flag only as a heritage issue the real swastika would be flying over America. Julian Bond and 60s – no African-American should serve in the military of the United States. By the certainty in mind not being exterminated by a nasty run America that its freedom in no small part due to signs of Dixie shed their blood and Normandy, Iwo Jima, and countless other places. I have the privilege of my ancestors being called Nazis by a millionaire blackman as is also Jesse Jackson never served the Armed Forces of the United States

While my nieces and nephews and children get along with pretty much everyone the moment they start hearing that white privilege, white guilt propaganda they know immediately where you’re coming from. Since the black victimization industry provides so many jobs for people like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and Mr. Crump, there is no way that racial antagonism will ever go away. The black community wants to give shine on the fact that it’s 50 times more likely per capita or black to assault white and vice versa. How is that transforming the white privilege? Human rights watch produced a report called no escape talking about black prisoners sexually enslaving white prisoners. How does that equate into white privilege?

What do black people want? well I’ve never met a black people only individual human beings some of which have African ancestry. They obviously like every other ethnic group would like to be successful live in peace and have a happy life. I wish them well in that it’s tough for anybody. But if you come up to me with his white privilege nonsense I’m going to tell you in no uncertain terms that your race huckster. I am going to remind you that I was African nations that provided human slaves for the arab run slave networks. I’m also remind you that the New Englanders were the ones who shipped the slaves over here and supported slavery until they could not make money off it anymore.

I’m also going to remind you of the fact that Freedmen often times had slaves and the nonsense that’s going around out there were all family members as been disproven by empirical investigation. Some of them had over 90 slaves.

In Africa various ethnic groups despise each other to the point of genocide, which was the same situation among Native Americans. When the first Africans were returned from United States to Liberia one of the very first things they did was inslave some of the indigenous people which is why there is still antagonism between the two groups. Now if you’r paralegal you know that you could never get a second degree murder conviction against George Zimmerman. I doubt you could even get a third-degree manslaughter conviction.

So in short I don’t really care what black people want, is my only responsibility is to do what’s right for each individual I meet that’s all responsibility any human has. I can rant and rave about what happened to my ancestors very justifiably. Other than making myself feel victimized you would have no other purpose.

Good luck selling the white privilege snake oil to the upper-middle-class folks who actually think they are white rather than European. If you’re so culturally illiterate you don’t even know why your ancestors came from or their culture and language I guess you

I wonder how ignorant people can be on race. As the future Caucasians of America wealth and privilege grow off the Jim crow seeds planted so long ago. I say this how can a white person truly state they know my people’s history without enduring the pain. It’s a rational and irrational thought but even the simplest minds could grasp it. The truth of the matter is rascism will always exist as long as black Americans are docile and passive towards this racist system we live by. Money has to be paid back over the years white America consumed like locusts I ask why are blacks the only ones who didn’t get repirations when we suffered the longest. Besides the crooked share crop deals. The fact of the matter intelligence and denial go hand and hand. You have to deny the truth to justify your worth. And your a descendant living off yje blood and tears my ancestors died for. While you stole your privilege.

Ahh, money. So that would solve the racial issues? I should have known. Millions of dollars per person would not solve the racial issue and we both know it.

Regarding the author’s query (hopefully I summarize it right): “People of all colors need to talk about this civilly. But, what to do after that?”

Based on the handful of times that I’ve directly overheard black people
talking about it in a non-academic setting, they basically see the
problems of their people to be insurmountable under the current
circumstances (even after Obama). The main perceived problems seem to be that (white)
society won’t ever give them a fair shake no matter what they do — and
that, if anything at all will help, it’s more
handouts/programs/restitution.

Even if some social-policy genius comes up with a version of the welfare state that propels every poor black person to a respectable salary within 2 years, and then they don’t need financial help from the government anymore, my sense is that it wouldn’t change (white) people’s minds about black people. It would just create the popular impression that most black people can’t (more accurately: won’t) produce value on their own.

I’ve seen inklings of this first-hand: if there’s a new, high-ranking black person in a business organization, the whispers in the hallway wonder whether Affirmative Action is the reason.

***

Here’s something that illustrates the gulf in perception. Please note that I’m not attributing any blame in this story, and I’m not denying the existence of the injustices that got us where we are. I’m just talking about my experiences.

I live in a place where there are as many Hispanic people as white people, and a lot of them don’t speak English at all. I’ve never had one of them ask me for money. But, I see dozens of them on the street corners and at Home Depot, eager to work. I have never seen a single black person at any of those spots looking to work.

Meanwhile, I’ve been panhandled for money hundreds of times over the last 15 years or so. (Maybe I have a kind face, or maybe I just look like a sucker, haha). I’ll make a high estimate and say that 3% of the people were not black (and 97% were.)

***

Now, put yourself in the shoes of an average, non-academic, non-connected, blue-collar white person who works hard to provide for their family. (If it matters I personally am academic, and I’m not blue-collar).

Suppose your common-sense observations align with the situation I described above. What conclusion would you draw? Would you be filled with righteous anger at the legacy of racism, or would you be a little aggravated by the time Panhandler #385 came along, even if you were aware of the disadvantages of his collective past?

Yeah editor couldn’t handle that fact so they deleted it, it stated that THIS PERSON WHO POSTED THIS ARTICLE DOESN’T SPEAK FOR ALL AFRICAN AMERICANS ON THE PLANET, IGNORANT FOOL.

Apparently comments that support black people only are the only ones not deleted on here, THERE’S SOME BLACK PRIVELAGE FOR YOU.  Editor is scared and keeps deleting my posts wonder if this one will make it.

The editor couldn’t survive one comment I posted here, and it was correct too, this ONE black female can’t speak for all african americans across the globe, OR SOMEONE CORRECT ME IS SHE SHE LEADER OF ALL BLACKS ON THE PLANET AND DOES HAVE THAT PRIVELAGE????????  I DIDN’T THINK SO!

Refreshing out all the “bad” comments?   What makes them bad, the fact that you think they’re too graphic, or that you know that the person posting these replies is right?  I bet I know your actions speak volumes for this, I’m satisfied even if you delete this, it proves my conviction and reminds me that I’m right, you’re just a scared individual unable to accept a higher intelligence on here just a one way mode of thinking for replies on here.  Go ahead delete, hide, run….  I bathe in these facts.

rofl I WIN too bad you can’t reply to me, you’re just aching to, although I’m sure removing my comment is good enough for you, everytime one is deleting I savor the victory

Where do blind people fall into this debate?  They cannot even see a person’s color so the entire thing must seem absurd to them.  I think this racism exists because too many people see it.  They feed it.  It takes on a life of its own.  It breathes.   It is like a monster sometimes.   They talk about it.  They suspect it.  They see it everywhere.  It grows.  They teach it.   I think they only way everyone will be free of it is to close their eyes and stop feeding your monster.

Interesting.

Talking about racism does not feed racism, however. That’s like saying practicing calculus makes people worse at math. Discussing a problem NEVER exacerbates it. It may follow a cycle including an uncomfortable phase in which incorrect or misunderstood notions are corrected and/or shaped to ultimately teach people that socialized differences that keep us separated are false and stupid. But more importantly it will end by opening people’s eyes to truths that once opened, their eyes cannot be shut against. It is a mistake to believe avoidance will solve the problem. The problem has already been caused and is in full swing, avoidance is impossible now.

I have read through many of the comments on this post and its always the same. White people are always thrown into a single group. White Modern whites are racist because of American history. Just so everyone knows there was 2 groups of whites. Whites in favor of slavery and whites against slavery. Whites that respected blacks and Whites that didn’t. You can continue to carry the burden America’s history has put on you for as long as you want but, it will only bring you down. When a family member is hurt or murdered by someone, is it recommended to carry that hate with you forever? No. The only way to heal is to forgive. Is there racism in America? Yes. Does being white have inherent privilages? Yes. I am ready to discuss race, as long as I am not vilanized for being white, and you stop pointing fingers at me for what we had not control over.

Too many people, including yourself as evidenced in this post, get hung up on the emotional response that is essentially white guilt. Your quote “I am ready to discuss race, as long as I am not vilanized for being white, and you stop pointing fingers at me for what we had not control over,” completely shifts the goal of an open dialog from talking to and listening to one another to coddling the feelings of the white people in the room so as to not blame you for something that you ‘have no control over.’ (Why is it that you suddenly have no control over something when it benefits you to not have control over it? I think that default response needs to be deconstructed and debunked in a straightforward way as well, by someone who can do it more eloquently than I’d be able to right now.)

My point is that your running away from the solution for fear of being ‘offended’ as a white person, is saying that your unhurt feelings are more important than the reality that people of color have to live with on a daily basis. Does that make sense? White feelings being hurt are more worth protecting than ending the continued marginalization of people of color. If that isn’t you chomping on that white privilege gum, then I don’t know what is.

Just food for thought.