Defensive Posturing
by matttbastard
[update: apparently the corporate wizkids @ Time Warner think 'Fair Use' is an antiquated concept. View Sinbad commentary here - after a brief message from their fucking sponsor.]
(note: this is my belated contribution to International Blog Against Racism Week)
A good friend of mine recently admitted to harbouring typical white liberal guilt issues with race. S’ok, no biggie, happens to the best (and worst) of us (or them, in this case). But ‘white guilt’ is counterproductive when it comes to recognizing privilege. Makes some of y’all build up racism into this huge ugly boogyman – “racist=badbadsuperbadcrossburningnaziskinheadwhohatesallniggers!!11 What does that say about MEEE?!” Jesus Christ, all white folks enjoy privilege. But that’s not the end of the world, unless used as an excuse to avoid the subject of race and racism.
I cringe at the collective flagellation after a (white) celeb lets his or her privilege show – “oh noes! Michael Richards/Mel Gibson/Don Imus is SO SO SO EVIL! how can people IN THIS DAY AND AGE hold such REPELLENT views?!?!?!?!!” But there’s a big difference between being a (self-identified) racist and harbouring racist views (and no, being an addict is no excuse – drugs and booze aren’t the catalyst, much as some would like to delegate responsibility to substance abuse, alas :P). Racism is something you do, not necessarily a definition of ones entire identity. And by holding it up as this ultimate expression of reprehensibility, people disregard their own issues (racism is someone else’s problem – I has so many black friends! And they LOVE me)
Shit, we (lolz, speaking for all teh bruvas and sistas – don’t worry, I was elected spokesbruva at the last meeting) already KNOW white people are racist.
That post I recently wrote about Kevin Smith and South Park could have included so many more anecdotes about unexamined privilege on the part of those I have or still do interact with. Yet when I call my friends/acquaintances on it, they start denying that their casual remarks are indicative of racism/privilege. Because when I say the ‘r’ word, images of burning crosses dance through their heads.
Frankly, I’m far more concerned with systemic racism than the everyday prejudices we all traffic in. Doesn’t mean I won’t call someone on a comment that I find offensive (nor will I refrain from calling it racist–EEK!), but just because I’m offended doesn’t mean I think they’re Hitler reincarnated. So relax – you aren’t the white-sheeted personification of post-civil rights evil.
7 Responses to “Defensive Posturing”
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you mean if you can cop to probably being racist and/or exploiting your privilege does not mean you should burn at the stake?
i agree, how else are you going to hold dialogue if you can’t own your shit. (the key is, racism is not POC’s problem…. it’s mine). that may sound dismissive but what I mean is that there is likely nothing that anyone can do to change another’s racism…..
(did I mention that I met Sinbad at a breakfast buffet in Chicago?)
Yeah, please – no seppuku required (especially in the living room – blood doesn’t easily lift off white shag, even after steam cleaning).
Exactly. Frankly, it’s not my job to constantly explain why unironically appropriating Chris Rock’s Black People Vs. Niggers routine isn’t appropriate (nor pass out animal crackers and head pats for having real live *black friends*!11).
No, you didn’t! Do tell…
A good friend of mine recently admitted to harbouring typical white liberal guilt issues with race. S’ok, no biggie, happens to the best (and worst) of us (or them, in this case).
FWIW (and this is a partial follow-up to the thread at ObWi): It’s easy as sin to admit the typical white guilt* issues to your good black friend over drinks. Hell, it even gets you a favorable mention on a blog, and a “well good” from a commentator.
And both are deserved. But it’s tougher, IMHO, to make the same admission in and all-white crowd. And that’s a shame, because it would be better for everyone if white folks start dealing honestly with themselves and each other when they’re “in private” (so to speak).
(You should see the dancing around race that occurs in an all white crowd when a racially-charged subject comes up. No one wants to be “that guy” (or “that girl”).)
On the other hand, it seems that black folks had to get over the taboo of talking about race long ago. (This, is, of course a second-hand view since my very presence prevents an all-black crowd from being, well, all black.)
*It ain’t just white “liberal” guilt.
FWIW (and this is a partial follow-up to the thread at ObWi): It’s easy as sin to admit the typical white guilt* issues to your good black friend over drinks. Hell, it even gets you a favorable mention on a blog, and a “well good” from a commentator.
And both are deserved. But it’s tougher, IMHO, to make the same admission in and all-white crowd. And that’s a shame, because it would be better for everyone if white folks start dealing honestly with themselves and each other when they’re “in private” (so to speak).
Yup. Is almost like they’re looking for absolution, penance. As if they’re in a confession booth and a few ‘hail Obamas’ can absolve them of their sins.
I want them–you–to go and sin no more when they’re in the “exclusive” speak easys and social clubs, where the complexion is uniformly pale.
(on a side note, but still corollary, have you seen this before?)
I want them–you–to go and sin no more when they’re in the “exclusive” speak easys and social clubs, where the complexion is uniformly pale.
Well, going and sinning no more is tough — that’s the rub.
(on a side note, but still corollary, have you seen this before?)
I hadn’t. I’ll check it out. Thanks.
Enjoy – it’s my youth in a nutshell (yep, always the lone black person at gigs).
“Jesus Christ, all white folks enjoy privilege. But that’s not the end of the world, unless used as an excuse to avoid the subject of race and racism.”
Thing is, so many of us don’t recognize our privilege until we’ve already wielded it that way without realising what we were doing.