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Racism is just a difficult thing from every angle. Lately it has weighed heavily on my mind and honestly I've come across very shocking and mean things said about both blacks and whites lately. I wish that everyone from each side would educate themselves a bit more, because the bottom line is that racism stems from ignorance
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@Mrsbells: Totally agree! I would also add that there are more than two sides when it comes to racism...
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@TemperanceBrennan: The statement in and of itself is not inherently racist . . . it states an observation and an opinion about situations the author/poster is using to contrast perspectives between/ amongst racial groups . . . it is not attributing a stereotype to a particular group.
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@MsLipGloss: You are right that it isn't attributing a stereotype to a particular group, but I said that it was showing a racial bias to not understand why "BET is ok, but WET is not". People need to look beyond their own experiences. The shortsightedness of the original post offends me.
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@mrbee: yes that is true, definitely more than two sides to it
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@TemperanceBrennan: Agreed. This may not fit the textbook definition of "racism" but I still find it very offensive -- the whole thing.
I don't know if I would say anything because I admittedly hate confrontation, but I don't think it would be out of line for you to do that. I saw a friend comment on an offensive article one of his Facebook friends posted the other day with, "Dude, that article is incredibly racist," and I'll admit I applauded a little
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I would say something and let the person know that if you ever saw something like that on their feed again, I'd have to defriend them.
And yes, the post was racist. No question!
To be racist doesn't just mean demonstrating bias against a group, it requires power over the group in question.
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@TemperanceBrennan: I disagree with you regarding the *understanding* portion . . . the post does not speak to the author's lack of understanding, rather, it seems to speak to the opposite in the sense that the author's *understanding* seems to be that there is a double standard with what is acceptable for one group not being acceptable for another. . . it's a difference of opinion/ perspective as opposed to a lack of awareness.
And, since we are on the topic of awareness, you would be surprised as to what some of us have personally experienced. (This statement is genuinely not intended to be antagonistic, but to point out that assumptions regarding personal experiences with bias are not always accurate.)
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i wish i could respond to all of y'all but i got wayyy behind but thank you all for your advice! i appreciate everyone's opinions!
i sent her a text saying "hey (insert name), i really strongly feel the need to tell you that i'm offended by your "race" post. i don't think you truly support everything that was written in it and i'd love to discuss it with you. (but i couldn't, in good conscience, not say something.)"
i'll update if/when she responds, for those interested.
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@jmarionsmith: look up "proud to be white" on snopes.com
It really irks me when people post this crap with incorrect information (even if they do believe it, want to share it, etc.).
I recently received an email about Trayvon Martin - that America had been "hoodwinked" into believing he was a young man, a good kid, etc. It attached a photo that claimed to be Trayvon at the time of his death, covered in tattoos.
I looked at the photo and thought it looked familiar. It was. I looked it up on Snopes and it was a picture of Grammy Award winning artist - THE GAME. Ridiculous.
And yep, I would say something, too. -
@MsLipGloss: I understand what you are saying, but I still think it is lack of awareness. As a part of a minority, by definition, you are are constantly surrounded by people that look different than you. People in the majority (many times) take for granted the inherent privilege that goes along with that. A television network that chooses to air programing that focuses on a minority is not a double standard.
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@rachiecakes: bahaha the Game? Ridiculous. People who repost crap on FB without checking up on it first are a pet peeve of mine. I try SO hard not to link the Snopes article in the comments, haha.
As for something racist on my news feed, I would say something, and probably unfriend them.
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@TemperanceBrennan: I don't know that we will agree on the awareness issue, BUT, I do agree with you regarding the double standard issue.
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@MsLipGloss: I love hearing different opinions, and it's ok if we never agree! I really appreciate the discussion.
Not to drag this out, but I guess I find the original Facebook post so offensive because it is so whiny and makes all these claims about things "not being fair" to white people. Here's a link to the article I first referenced and what I am referring to when I think people are unaware. http://ted.coe.wayne.edu/ele3600/mcintosh.html
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@rachiecakes: I read about that email in WaPo: http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2013/07/02/fake-photo-of-trayvon-martin-still-making-the-rounds/ I can't believe you actually received it! Just so absurd.
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@TemperanceBrennan: I appreciate the discussion too! The *why* is always so so important and often missed when people too quickly adopt a watered down mainstream conclusory statement on an issue. I am heading home to my LO, but I will definitely read the article you shared. Thank you!
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My response isn't about the post specifically, but being offended by a post in general: Personally, I wouldn't say anything and if someone said something me about not liking a post of mine I would simply tell them they are more than welcome to block me or defriend me. Everyone has the right to say what they want and defend what they believe in no matter how stupid or wrong.
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@jmarionsmith: Wow. That is inflammatory AND racist. I know that this friend of yours did not write it themselves, but i always find it suspicious when people repost things like this. I feel that it tells me a little bit about the where the person stands. I am African AND american, and this is as racist as it gets--the grouping of all non-whites and that subtle presumption that all non-whites are slightly less equal to whites. I guess my concern really is more about the person's motives for re-posting it. Sigh.
Such postings hurt my heart so. It sad to see people say "it's not really that racist." I am sorry, but it is. -
@jmarionsmith: I'm glad you said something. I have been offended by things that people have posted on FB before and depending on the person I will reach out in private--if they are inviting discussion on their page, I will reply.
@TemperanceBrennan: I'm glad you posted a link to Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.
@MsLipGloss: I disagree with most of the things you've said, but TemperanceBrennan has basically responded with what I would've said. That original FB post is about ignorance and privilege not a double standard.
@scotchbonnet: 100% agreed.
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@TemperanceBrennan: Agree with everything you said. In fact, I typed something similar in my original reply but felt like what I wrote wasn't exactly what I wanted to convey. I'm glad that you were able to write what I was thinking so succinctly.
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@jmarionsmith: I think your response was great! Hope she takes it well.
I'm in disbelief by that post. I agree with everything @TemperanceBrennan: said, and thank you for posting that link on "White Privilege" - I really enjoyed reading it.
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@TemperanceBrennan: I love unpacking the invisible knapsack... But you could probably already figure that out about me
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@Mrs. Jacks: I could guess
I wish everyone would read it.
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thanks for posting the article @TemperanceBrennan: The list in the beginning made me chuckle. A friend of mine was outted as no longer being a virgin because her beige birth control patch stood out against her dark brown skin. She learned not to change in fron of her mother after that.
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@TemperanceBrennan: @Mrs. Jacks: Haha I hadn't read this thread when I linked to it on the other one... nice!
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: yikes. This is one of my pet peeves. I HATE when people say "nude" as a color.
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@scg00387: @Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Don't even get me started on "nude"!
I have to say it's pretty awesome to see the Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack on two different threads. Definitely brightened my day a little.
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I have learned the hard way that it's best to just ignore these things. I've tried to engage people privately about offensive Facebook posts and it was a waste of time and energy. Instead, I do my best to affect positive change in the things I do and say online and offline... even though I have a somewhat confrontational personality, so it's hard to hold back!
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