How Is Being Racist to White People any Different to Being Racist to Black People?

[future admin]

Sorry if this thread has been done before, and I havent started this thread to make me sound like a complete dick or to be controversial, but, I just want to ask how is being racist to whites different to being racist to blacks. Now, In Australia, we dont have African-American types, and on TV and in movies, you always here the words White Trash and cracka being thrown around alot, I know about Racism, I know that White People have Allegedly mistreated African Americans over many years, but now I am seeing things like, "This Sign is Whiter than Sheamus" and "Where Does Sheamus get his Sunscreen" I am completely against Racism by all means, and I think it should just stop, but that is not going to happen, not in this generation anyway. Nut My Question is how is being racist to White people any different to being racist to black people?
oh and, please dont get angry at me, I really don't want to create controversy here, I just want opinions.

 

[Tim]

The thing is, there is no difference. But we are brought up to believe there is a difference, And it's hard to break out of the morals, values and lessons that you have learned when you were a small child. Our brains subconciously think something without us realising it and we're already seen as prejudiced. We are taught that being racist to black people is wrong, but we have to make up our own minds about being racist to white people. This is a very hard thought to get rid of, as we grow up with it.

I know here in Melbourne whenever an Indian student or a black person gets killed or injured, white people are always blamed. But once you get some eyewitnesses it's clear that it was actually people of the same race doing the attacking. We automatically blame white people as we see them as being the only ones who would attack black people. With the bad history that usually comes along with black people, people automatically feel sorry for them, and usually never suspect them. Usually its not white people being seriously racist, it's just black people fighting in their own race.

As for people being racist towards whites, I don't think white people really care. I know that I couldn't care less, because if they're racist then they're not even worth talking about. I think that we should just accept everyone for who they are, but sadly I don't think it's ever going to happen. Racism will always be around, and unfortunately black people will always be seen as the ones who get the racist remarks. And if a white person tries to defend themselves he is labelled as a racist. It's a biased world, and there is never going to be true peace and harmony when it comes to race.

 

[HBK-aholic]

'White people kept them as slaves'. That's literally the only difference, and is used as the bullshit excuse by everyone. Never mind the fact no black person knows another who was a slave, and no white person knows another who kept slaves, as it was abolished years ago. Racism is racism and it's wrong, I don't care who it's to, and I don't care who it's by. Why do we need to bring things down to race? Black people aren't any different or inferior to white people, who aren't any different or inferior to Asian people. Bringing up race in arguments, or judging people because of it is one of the most stupid, ignorant things a person can do, yet we frequently get it drilled into us that racism towards black people is the worst thing in the world, but racism towards white people isn't a big deal. Why don't people just grow up and not even think about race? It baffles me.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I don't see it as being any different at all. However, the fact remains that there's very much a double standard held by many when it comes to the subject of racism against Caucasians.

It's certainly true that blacks were used as slaves in colonial American on up through the Civil War and that things didn't really begin to change all that much for blacks in many parts of the country until the 1960s as far as social status is concerned. It's a shameful chapter in the history of America. It's even more shameful when you consider how many ordinary Americans were essentially brainwashed over many generations throughout the Colonial Era and afterwards regarding race. Some Christians believed and were taught in Church that blacks were inferior as the Bible refers to "mud people" and that it was their Christian right and duty to be viewed as superior. That's particularly how many ordinary and even poor folks were indoctrined into racism as most of them certainly didn't have the money or the property size to afford to keep slaves. The wealthy also believed in such things and, as we know, the wealthy are typically the ones that have wound up making policy and laws in the United States from the beginning. Really, if you think about it, that's pretty much how it's always been in just about every civilization. And, of course, over the generations, parents taught their children that blacks were inferior or no good, those kids taught their kids and so on and so forth.

It's horrible what happened but, the fact remains that there's a double standard. If someone that's white were to use the N-word, as ugly as it is, it quickly becomes a federal case. That's not to say that such a thing should be tolerated, but it does get blown out of proportion sometimes. That's particularly the case when you have shameless self-promoters like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson coming out of the woodwork only trying to provoke things and make them even worse so they can get their headlines along with organizations like the ACLU. That's not to say that those men and such an organization doesn't do good work and do good things. But, when it comes to anyone making a racist remark, you'll have those people so far up someone's ass that you won't be able to tell where he/she ends off and they begin.

The past can't be erased and I'm not optimistic enough to beleive that racism will ever be entirely wiped out. Until we can fix whatever it is in the human spirit that causes hate, particularly for no reason, it will always be part of our lives and drag us all down.

 

[LigerBomb]

Sorry if this thread has been done before, and I havent started this thread to make me sound like a complete dick or to be controversial, but, I just want to ask how is being racist to whites different to being racist to blacks. Now, In Australia, we dont have African-American types, and on TV and in movies, you always here the words White Trash and cracka being thrown around alot, I know about Racism, I know that White People have Allegedly mistreated African Americans over many years, but now I am seeing things like, "This Sign is Whiter than Sheamus" and "Where Does Sheamus get his Sunscreen" I am completely against Racism by all means, and I think it should just stop, but that is not going to happen, not in this generation anyway. Nut My Question is how is being racist to White people any different to being racist to black people?
oh and, please dont get angry at me, I really don't want to create controversy here, I just want opinions.

First there is nothing alleged about it, whites have mistreated African-Americans for hundreds of years.

Second those signs you mention aren't racist. At best it would be "colorist" and even then it would be a tenuous argument at best. True racism is a belief that inherent differences among the various human "races" determine cultural or individual achievement/ability, and therefore there is an inherent superiority of certain races over others. Making an observation with regards to Sheamus' pale skin tone in an attempt to illicit humor is not an example of racism. A sign saying "Sheamus has no soul" (a reference to the "Ginger's don't have souls" meme) would be a bit closer to the mark.

Third, in and of itself there is no difference between racism regardless of the people at odds. However with regards to lasting impact and damage, one could make the case that whichever race is the more culturally dominant majority --for your example whites-- could perpetrate the more effective and hence "successful" racism against the other. Since racism is understood to be a negative this greater amount of success would certainly have a pejorative connotation and in turn could be interpreted as the worse of the two.

 

[SalvIsWin]

Nut My Question is how is being racist to White people any different to being racist to black people?
oh and, please dont get angry at me, I really don't want to create controversy here, I just want opinions.

There is no difference in terms of morality, but there is a difference in terms of what is seen as inappropriate, as I explain below:

'White people kept them as slaves'. That's literally the only difference, and is used as the bullshit excuse by everyone. Never mind the fact no black person knows another who was a slave, and no white person knows another who kept slaves, as it was abolished years ago.

I agree with the overall motive of your post, but it wasn't that long ago when Blacks were seen as inferior to Whites. It wasn't that long ago when there was different laws and rules for Blacks as there were for Whites. Actual slavery may have been abolished years ago, but completely proportionate racism was not centuries ago, and thus is still a sensitive subject.

 

[Spidey Revivey]

Second those signs you mention aren't racist. At best it would be "colorist" and even then it would be a tenuous argument at best. True racism is a belief that inherent differences among the various human "races" determine cultural or individual achievement/ability, and therefore there is an inherent superiority of certain races over others. Making an observation with regards to Sheamus' pale skin tone in an attempt to illicit humor is not an example of racism. A sign saying "Sheamus has no soul" (a reference to the "Ginger's don't have souls" meme) would be a bit closer to the mark.

I disagree. It is racist on the grounds that Sheamus is an Irish native with red hair. Odds are if you are Irish and have red hair, then you will have pale skin. Commenting it on a sign that says GET A TAN SHEAMUS or anything of the sort can be deemed racist just as much as a much darker toned wrestler comes out and a sign reads PUT SOME LOTION ON. See? This can be rather racist.

And just because it is a play with humor does not mean it isn't racist. Comedians like Chris Rock and Dice Clay make the most inappropriate jokes about people of different pigmentation and while some may get a chuckle, others cry foul.

 

[Mufasa]

I'm sure if you go deep enough into history you can find examples of whites being dominated/exploited by another racial group, but for an extremely long time now whites have for the most part been dominate over the different racial groups they came in contact with, which led to exploitation. Whites have a very long history of abusing and exploiting other racial groups. It's been argued, and to extent I think successfully, that a large part of the reason that whites control so much of today's wealth is because of previous exploitation giving them the opportunity to control today's markets and resources.

The fact that whites have a long history of oppression, and that they control most of the world's wealth make it seem more acceptable to say things about whites that you wouldn't say about other racial groups.

 

[Spaceman Spif]

I'm sure if you go deep enough into history you can find examples of whites being dominated/exploited by another racial group, but for an extremely long time now whites have for the most part been dominate over the different racial groups they came in contact with, which led to exploitation.

You can find examples, the first slaves were not black people, they were white people enslaved by Egyptians to build the pyramids.

However that's beside the point, the point is there isn't a difference. Racism is racism, yes black people had a hell of a time centuries and decades ago, but now, racism is still all around, and it involves every race living on this planet. No matter where you go you'll find racism in every race and culture these days. Granted it's not the extreme it was when 50-60 years ago and more, but it's still here and there is no difference now, racism is racism and it's wrong.

 

[Mufasa]

I'm not trying to justify, I think racism is racism, and I'm against racism. I just think the reason why racism against whites is tolerated is because of previous long lasting white oppression that's still fresh in everyone's minds, and because whites currently control the vast majority of the world's wealth.

 

[antfarm612]

The difference is white people feel guilty and tolerate anti-European racism. I do not. If someone calls me a cracker, I will react the same way a black person would react to being called ******.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

If you've got two legs, two arms and red blood, you're all good in my book. However at the same time, there are still extremely prejudiced thoughts that course through my brain at times.

For example in the UK, there's a number of people who are prejudiced towards people from Pakistan (get ready for every other UK based poster to argue with 'No we're not!').

It is a natural thing for people from different walks of life to have prejudices stand in the way of their interaction with one another. It's just that we're supposed to be civilised enough to rise above them. All breeds of dog get along fairly well, as do most animals. Hell, even animals of completely different species co-exist quite happily in the wild.

We sadly, don't. While we may not segregate and enslave each other anymore, there's still a great deal of racial animosity spread across the globe that stands in the way of true peace and unity, and i honestly don't think it's something we'll ever be rid of. Usually all it takes is for one child to hear their grandparents spout some racist obscenity and then repeat it at school, and then that statement is suddenly accepted as the norm, and you're dealing with a classroom of kids who all think that people of Indian descent are inferior and job stealing parasites, or that they're only good for working in post offices, for example.

Hating on whites is no different than hating on any other ethnicity, except everyone else probably feels we deserve it since we were the last ones to have slaves and enforced segregation, funnily enough during, and after a time where we went to war with another country for doing the exact same thing (although in an infinitely worse fashion).

And whoever brought up the Egyptians having white slaves....... weren't they all Jewish? Making that example an even worse form of racism?

 

[I hate those Christians]

What people need to understand about Racism is that Racism isn’t just about the color of your skin, Racism happens all over. If someone hates someone over there skin color, there religion, where they are from, to me that is all racism.

Let’s face it, we are all victims of Racism and nothing will change.

 

[CobraVenom]

Let’s face it, we are all victims of Racism and nothing will change.

We are only victims if we allow ourselves to be victims. If a black dude wants to call me a cracker, it's ok with me. I feel he needs to insult me to stroke his own levels of insecurities or try and make me feel bad for what my ancestors did to his. Either way, I could not care less what he calls me. I have better things to do than get into a war of words with some moron who thinks he is being oppressed.

The fact is that I love that I am white. I love being me. I love where I came from, and nobody can ever change that. Call me a racist for loving being white, I will call you an ignorant piece of shit who needs to deal with their own bullshit.

Moral of the story is do not let anybody make you feel bad for being who you are.

 

[TheAnimal]

There isnt any difference. But it is good that there is recognition of racism being able to occur from more than white -> black people. Racism can occur towards any people of any ethnic origin.

There is obviously a history of racism between white and black people, but if black people try to give a receipt for it, it wouldnt be the answer. Two wrongs dont make a right and racism shouldnt be tolerated under any circumstances. Anyone who holds the views that are so primitive should be made to feel like a fucking ****** they are and that would probably be of greatest effect.

 

[ryanwwe]

Honestly this all comes from people and their right to think freely, many take advantage of that and thats why we have the problems we do today. I for one do not judge a single person by color of skin but by actions. If you are a criminal or someone who is ignorant to people just because they can be i generally wont get along with you. But unfortunately this issue goes far beyond just black and white, we have to rely on so many people who dont even listen to how the other side feels and thats why we will never get any progress in riding the world of racism.

 

[ryanwwe]

To go further on my previous statement and actually answer the question i have this to say. The difference is that laws are set up to fuel racism to continue, an example is two white guys could get into a fight and both would only be charged with assault if either side called the cops. But if one of the white guys hit an Asian or a Mexican or an African American it jumps into the category of a hate crime. And its not just that way for whites its just about any situation you could make. The sad thing is a good chunk of the population will take advantage of these laws and try to sue even when the hate crime aspect isn't present. Most people i believe are more racist towards moronic actions then they are to a race itself. The sad thing is their is no real way to determine which is which and most anything that is mixed company is looked at as racism if their is a confrontation.

 

[Soapguy]

I'm going to echo Liger's feeling on the theoretical part. If the group that is politically and economically in power has an elevated number of racists in it, then it's more dangerous because that racism can cause more of a problem than a racist in a group that's excluded from that power in the first place. I don't quite get why people are bringing up slavery, because it's really not relevant, the political and economic power thing is (not very many intelligent people use that as an excuse anymore). That's just if we're talking theoretically, though. If we're talking on a personal level, then I don't think the trait of racism is any more justified in one race or the other.

There's another thing that keeps coming up in this thread quite a bit that puzzles me. Some people are asking why people see race in the first place. Maybe it's because I was born in a minority group or maybe it's because I've spent the last two years studying sociology extensively (I plan to teach it), but I think that's a pretty silly thought. Would it be ideal? Probably, but since when has something being ideal stopped it from being silly?

If we're culturally different (statistically), physically different, and come into contact with one another and are reminded of these differences why wouldn't we see race? That doesn't mean we should judge based on it and we should understand that one cultures way of doing things isn't superior to the other, but attempting to ignore race altogether, is a little silly, when you take into account that is much more difficult for minorities to do then it is for everyone else.

 

[Decarow]

And whoever brought up the Egyptians having white slaves....... weren't they all Jewish? Making that example an even worse form of racism?

Judaism is a religion, not a race. They were most likely Middle Eastern though, not white. Who knows, we weren't there.

As for the subject, there is no difference. Racism is ignorant no matter how you look at it. There is an account of a black guy in Mississippi that owned slaves. Now I live in the racist capitol of the world, Mississippi. Shit got nasty here. Still is pretty bad. But that's due to ignorance. The black people in American History classes are real vocal once we start talking about slaves but they'll shut up real quick if there is a good teacher.

By the way, black people wouldn't be where they are without white people. White people freed them, gave them the right to vote and affirmative action, hell without white people Obama wouldn't be in office.

It takes everybody as a group to move on. It's not about where you've been but where you're going. I've never met a slave owner, I've never met a slave. I've met a bunch of assholes, that's about it.

 

[Soapguy]

Judaism is a religion, not a race. They were most likely Middle Eastern though, not white. Who knows, we weren't there.

The word Jewish is used as both a religious and an ethnic category. Many of the followers of Judaism are also ethnically Jewish, but not all ethnic Jews are followers of Judaism. So, it's very possible that they slaves Mark mentioned could've been both ethnically and religiously Jewish. Actual, it's completely likely, considering the tribal nature of religion in that time.

By the way, black people wouldn't be where they are without white people. White people freed them, gave them the right to vote and affirmative action, hell without white people Obama wouldn't be in office.

I'm assuming the way you worded this is what makes it as jarring as it is, because I hope you're not trying to say what I think you're trying to say. So, I'm going to request that you elaborate, because it sounds pretty ignorant as is. I don't think that was your intent, though.

 

[JuviJuiceIsLoose]

I'm assuming the way you worded this is what makes it as jarring as it is, because I hope you're not trying to say what I think you're trying to say. So, I'm going to request that you elaborate, because it sounds pretty ignorant as is. I don't think that was your intent, though.

Yes, he's saying exactly what you think he's saying. That Black people should be glad our ancestors were kidnapped, brought to a strange new land, where they were forced to work under brutal conditions, had their women raped, and their religion and language stripped. Weren't allowed to educate themselves.

I'm guessing he thinks that racism ended when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Like after the slaves were freed, they shook hands and said "we cool" and that was the end of it. We should be happy we were given basic human rights!

Yes, Black people have the right to vote. After decades of murders, dog attacks, intimidation, fraud, thank you for finally letting people have something that is supposed to an inalienable right by the Constitution . I thank you for that, personally.

Thank you for Affirmative Action.. I guess that makes up for everything Although, there wouldn't be any use for it if there was a level playing field to begin with. Even though the biggest beneficiaries of Affirmative Action are White Women. Thanks, nonetheless!

Thanks for electing Obama. That's 43 White Presidents to 1 Black President. Yeah, I'd say we're even! That makes up for all the years of Prejudiced Government!

Even though, just last year a judge in Louisiana refused to officiate a wedding between a Black Man and a White Woman because he says "it's not right".

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/15/interracial-couple-denied_n_322784.html

I saw on Fox News that since Obama was elected, racism doesn't exist anymore, unless it's Black People being Racist to White People!


On behalf of all Black People, I thank you, because if it wasn't for you. Who knows what we'd be doing???

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Whites have traditionally been in positions of power throughout history and have discriminated and mistreated blacks for many years.

However, I still think it is wrong for a white guy to get criticised for racist remarks, when black guys seem to be able to say something just as racist and not get punished as strictly, or it doesnt get as much press.

All racism is wrong, no matter what colour you are, where you are from in my opinion. Everybody should be treated the same, and by treating racism from one side for strictly than racsim from the other, I think it is creating a gap between the two, which hints that one race is more important than the other, which is wrong

 

[Jonnie Walker]

I don't see a difference at all, really. I am half white, a quarter black, and a quarter Puerto Rican. I have been called every slur that there is for my races, and for blacks there are many. But people look at them as different because white people are harder to offend. I know that when someone makes a white joke, I really don't care, but if someone called me the N word and meant it, I'd get pissed. But it's looked at very differently because people can say "cracker" freely, they get in no trouble. Lil Wayne says "cracker" and he's got Free Weezy shirts on every boardwalk, but Dog the Bounty Hunter says the N word and gets his TV show cancelled, has to make a public apology, and where's his "Put Dog back on TV" shirt? It isn't different, because racism is racism, but people look at it differently.

 

[The Gribbler]

Yes, he's saying exactly what you think he's saying. That Black people should be glad our ancestors were kidnapped, brought to a strange new land, where they were forced to work under brutal conditions, had their women raped, and their religion and language stripped. Weren't allowed to educate themselves.

I'm guessing he thinks that racism ended when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Like after the slaves were freed, they shook hands and said "we cool" and that was the end of it. We should be happy we were given basic human rights!

Yes, Black people have the right to vote. After decades of murders, dog attacks, intimidation, fraud, thank you for finally letting people have something that is supposed to an inalienable right by the Constitution . I thank you for that, personally.

Thank you for Affirmative Action.. I guess that makes up for everything Although, there wouldn't be any use for it if there was a level playing field to begin with. Even though the biggest beneficiaries of Affirmative Action are White Women. Thanks, nonetheless!

Thanks for electing Obama. That's 43 White Presidents to 1 Black President. Yeah, I'd say we're even! That makes up for all the years of Prejudiced Government!

Even though, just last year a judge in Louisiana refused to officiate a wedding between a Black Man and a White Woman because he says "it's not right".

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/15/interracial-couple-denied_n_322784.html

I saw on Fox News that since Obama was elected, racism doesn't exist anymore, unless it's Black People being Racist to White People!


On behalf of all Black People, I thank you, because if it wasn't for you. Who knows what we'd be doing???

Did it happen to you personally? I am sure some fucked up shit happened to my ancestors, but I don't use it as an excuse to be rude to people, and somehow make it seem like I am hard done by.

Racism still exists yes, but its both ways to stop bitching.

The past is horrible...but its the past.