# Attention white people: ITS BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Think. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 3, 2016, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036 "2016-02-03T06:55:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Memnon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Memnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Memnon)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/81 "2016-02-03T20:19:26Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > I’m questioning your motives more than his here. He’s apologized for unintentionally offending you. It appeared quite genuine to me. Not accepting it makes you look like you’re trying to be an internet martyr, and I don’t think that’s who you are. Let it go. FWIW, I think **piepiepie** gets that the racism in my (now deleted) post was unintentional, and a result of stupidity and terribly thoughtless phrasing rather than hate. But just because the offensiveness was unintentional doesn’t let me off the hook, and I’ve no right to expect **piepiepie** to just move on with a proverbial shrug. Given how appalling my initial post was, she doesn’t owe me anything, no matter how unintentional my offence or how awful I feel about it now that it’s been pointed out. Also, just because I realised a fraction too late that using the c-word was way over the line, doesn’t change the fact that I used it. She certainly isn’t wrong to be offended, she’s certainly not wrong to be in any way reluctant to accept my apology, and if she does it’ll show a great deal more understanding than I did when I blundered in with my clown shoes and fucked up the thread. For what little it may be worth, this ugly incident really has hammered home the importance of taking a minute to _think_ before I post. It’s not a lesson I’m going to forget, either online or anywhere else. (Okay, _now_ I’ll take a break from posting 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/82 "2016-02-03T20:20:53Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > This has sort of happened to some extent. I remember there was some “controversy” a few years back around the “eeny meeny miny moe” rhyme which apparently has some genuine racial history. But, anyone under the age of 60 (I made this number up) had no idea about this history and therefore could not possibly have been using the rhyme in a racially insensitive way. I see that happening with more recent racial symbols. It’s a sign of progress when people don’t know that something was racist. It means they aren’t learning the racism. And that also means they aren’t to blame for not knowing about it. We should celebrate, not punish them for it. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/83 "2016-02-03T20:23:25Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > The double 'splain! Whitesplaining and mansplaining in a single post! Not that I’m sure you’re either white or a man… So the race or sex or the poster matters, eh? I think that’s called “racism” and “sexism.” ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/84 "2016-02-03T20:26:54Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > So the race or sex or the poster matters, eh? I think that’s called “racism” and “sexism.” No, racism and sexism are over! Everyone’s opinion on every subject is equal, regardless of experiences. Women obviously don’t know any more about misogyny then men, and black people obviously don’t know any more about anti-black racism then white people. And why must they complain so much? Don’t they know that these smart white men are just trying to explain to them how the real world works? Let’s celebrate this golden age! ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/85 "2016-02-03T20:29:24Z")
> **[\#1195; Parting Ways on Party Plans](http://wondermark.com/c1195/)** > > (Click to read the whole comic) ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/86 "2016-02-03T20:29:26Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > No, racism and sexism are over! Everyone’s opinion on every subject is equal, regardless of experiences. Women obviously don’t know any more about misogyny then men, and black people obviously don’t know any more about anti-black racism then white people. And why must they complain so much? Don’t they know that these smart white men are just trying to explain to them how the real world works? > > Let’s celebrate this golden age! What race, gender, disability, religion, and sexual orientation do you identify with so we can properly weigh your opinion? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/87 "2016-02-03T20:32:29Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > What race, gender, disability, religion, and sexual orientation do you identify with so we can properly weigh your opinion? I’m a straight white guy, no religion or disability. In general I know far, far less about anti-black racism then black people, and far, far less about misogyny then women, and far, far less about homophobia than gay people… You probably get the picture here. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/88 "2016-02-03T20:33:47Z")
> [@Tithonus](#): > > using the c-word was way over the line Not only was it over the line it’s against the rules as **Miller** pointed out. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/89 "2016-02-03T20:36:53Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > I am idly curious if there is anywhere that the word monkey can be used that won’t potentially upset somebody? Is Monkey now a banned word? Well, there is the N-word, now the M-word. I’m pretty sure the B and C words are offensive. Not the mention the D, F, G, I, K, P, R, S, T, W, X and Z words. Not left with much of the alphabet of hate. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/90 "2016-02-03T20:37:42Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’m a straight white guy, no religion or disability. In general I know far, far less about anti-black racism then black people, and far, far less about misogyny then women, and far, far less about homophobia than gay people… > > You probably get the picture here. If there were no incentives to be dishonest I’d agree with your point. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/91 "2016-02-03T20:39:13Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > If there were no incentives to be dishonest I’d agree with your point. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/92 "2016-02-03T20:45:22Z")
For my serious opinion on the meme of “whitesplaining” and “mansplaining”, it’s pretty simple: if you’re white, you probably don’t understand anti-black racism within an order of magnitude as much as any random black person. Necessarily, you will have much less (and likely infinitely less) personal experience with anti-black racism as any random black person – even someone famous or wealthy. So, as a rule, _don’t try to explain something related to anti-black racism to a black person_. Same goes for women and misogyny and related concepts. Just my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/93 "2016-02-03T20:46:49Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Thankfully in the UK we don’t have a black history month. Thankfully in the US we have a lot more black history. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/94 "2016-02-03T20:51:48Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > There have been no protest marches over this. > > No angry bullhorn-shouting about it. > > No one calling for boycotts. No rioting. > > No black folks calling any white folks “racist” because of this. > > But people in this thread are convinced that there is “black outrage”. One black person expresses a opinion and his employers care enough to actually listen to it (as they should), and this gives people license to yet again shit on “the blacks”. People don’t need much of a reason to engage in this favorite pastime, I guess. > > **piepie** , you are a better woman than me. Then why start this off in the pit? Obviously we can all start our threads anywhere we choose and as you said, this doesn’t seem to have been a big deal to anyone (of any race, or at least not that the article mentioned). The OP is addressing white people; yelling at them, actually. I’m not even saying I disagree with everything she’s saying, but you pick a fight with people you have to expect them to fight back. Unless one is simply looking to have their opinion validated, which is fine. We call that preaching to the choir and again I ask, why put it in the pit? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/95 "2016-02-03T20:55:46Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > For my serious opinion on the meme of “whitesplaining” and “mansplaining”, it’s pretty simple: if you’re white, you probably don’t understand anti-black racism within an order of magnitude as much as any random black person. Necessarily, you will have much less (and likely infinitely less) personal experience with anti-black racism as any random black person – even someone famous or wealthy. So, as a rule, _don’t try to explain something related to anti-black racism to a black person_. Same goes for women and misogyny and related concepts. > > Just my opinion. Because white people are dumb and have no empathy right? ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/96 "2016-02-03T20:58:26Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > Thankfully in the US we have a lot more black history. what, the history of black people in the USA goes back to the 12th century? That is surprising. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/97 "2016-02-03T20:59:14Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Because white people are dumb and have no empathy right? That’s not it. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/98 "2016-02-03T21:02:56Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Because white people are dumb and have no empathy right? Because in general, people don’t need or want you to explain their own issues to them. The whole great beam / mote thing comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/99 "2016-02-03T21:11:08Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Then why start this off in the pit? Obviously we can all start our threads anywhere we choose and as you said, this doesn’t seem to have been a big deal to anyone (of any race, or at least not that the article mentioned). The OP is addressing white people; yelling at them, actually. I’m not even saying I disagree with everything she’s saying, but you pick a fight with people you have to expect them to fight back. Unless one is simply looking to have their opinion validated, which is fine. We call that preaching to the choir and again I ask, why put it in the pit? How do you know what race the OP is? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036/100 "2016-02-03T21:14:11Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > what, the history of black people in the USA goes back to the 12th century? That is surprising. The volume of history is the product of people times time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-white-people-its-black-history-month-think/745036.md?page=6)