Why has this become the “Teach manson1972 how to not be a racist” thread? You wanna help? Don’t be a racist. If you aren’t a racist, you are helping. No go-- release your white man’s burden.
Support (financially and with your time, if possible) BLM and similar organizations; vote for politicians that support their agenda; encourage others to do so; film (if possible) any police mistreatment you witness, and if not possible, then be brave enough to report what you saw honestly. IMO, anyway.
Has it? I wasn’t aware that asking people how a white man can help alleviate the plight of the American black is considered racist.
Strange. Me telling people what to do is white-splaining. And me asking what to do is racist.
Guess I’m out of options then - it’s Bud Lite time! Good luck with the plight!
It’s true that recognizing statistics does not make one racist. However, we need to also recognize the bigger picture when we’re looking at what problems to address.
Part of the systemic problem that needs to be resolved is black people being unreasonably targeted for arrests. If a group is being singled out for punishment for the same crimes every group commits, the statistics are going to be flawed and will only serve to continue perpetuating the stereotype that black people commit more crimes. If confirmation bias leads people to notice rowdy black kids but not the rowdy white kids down the block, the problem is not the black kids, and blaming them does not help anyone.
Welp, you gave it the ol’ college try. I had a feeling you were the door #3 contestant.
I’m white, and there’s plenty of whites that are an embarrassment to the race. Rednecks, white trash, white supremacists, etc. Some even act “urban.” Whites just happen to be in power (for now).
The “improper upbringing” angle applies to all races.
Hey, whaddayamean “We”? If you want to admit culpability for any oppression then get on down, but leave me out of it. Alternatively, you can point me to the place where my middle-class white opinion counts for anything in making adjustments to the political & judicial structures in my community (there ain’t any such place, that was rhetorical).
The people who need to pull their heads out of their asses are the ones who think real societal power is based on any color other than green. There’s racists all over the color palette–they’re ignorant assholes but they’re just pawns, not the problem.
Sincerity: If you can fake that, you’ve got it made!
Buddy, you ain’t got it made. I don’t think you have even bought the ingredients.
Wow, you really told me! :rolleyes:
At least one person answered in a productive way. Amazing how snarky and sarcastic others get when asked questions that require answers more specific than “Reverse systemic racism!”
Keep on thinking you are doing anything to better anything in this country though. You be you.
Folks, this performed helplessness is getting embarrassing. Are you seriously that unaware of ways in which (white) people can participate in curbing LEO violence against unoffending black people?
For instance, you can join a Black Lives Matter march. If you’re part of the #NeverAgain movement against gun violence, you can incorporate Black Lives Matter talking points into that activism. You can support the ACLU’s efforts to oppose police abuses of power, and follow the guidelines in their excellent Community Action Manual for that purpose. You can support instituting or strengthening a civilian review board of your local police system. You can vote for candidates who are endorsed by organizations like the ACLU or a state or national police reform advocacy group for their policing reform objectives.
“Any suggestions”. Sheesh. May I suggest in the first place eschewing this tone of inert limpwimp passivity. :rolleyes:
Who called you racist?
Okey dokey!
Thank you, sarcasm aside.
As you and others may or may not be aware, there are literally thousands of choices for what one can do to improve certain aspects of life for certain people. Probably 10s of thousands. Picking a few things out of that long list is quite onerous, especially when one actually wants to select things that will actually DO something. I know for a lot of you “Posting outrage on a message board” is about the best activism you can gin up for yourself, but there are some who would actually like to accomplish something other than getting agreement and sympathy from like-minded message board users.
So, asking people who might actually know a thing or two about effective programs, organizations, or other things to point out the best ones seems to be the best way ahead. Strange that someone who genuinely wants to help gets crap for it. Maybe I’ll just donate money to the ACLU and sit back and think “Weeeeee, I’m helping!” :rolleyes:
Yah, sorry for the confusion. I was using OP as “original post” as in the one being pitted, but it was erroneous usage.
I’ve always liked Biggirl. I doubt she’s pitted anyone before. This one is richly deserved.
Thanks for linking this.
“Damn you for not knowing anything and being useless at activism, while denying me the fruits of your knowledge! I’M BEING SO SINCERE!”
I agree with this also. Almost all creatures on earth use identifiable features as a first line in avoiding danger or conflict or threats of any kind. The more we become familiar with a particular creature the better we are able to assess the level of threat and we are able to refine our assessment technique. The less familiar the more generalized out assessment will be. Skin heads with tattoos raise alarm bells. Dirty clothes raise alarms, hair styles, lots of things. I think one big problem with race in this country is that a lot of us just have not become familiar enough with each other.
I went to my 50th high school reunion about a year ago. I was talking with a black lady from my class. A retired school teacher in Los Angeles school system. She was telling me how when she graduated high school she couldn't wait to get out into the world and she was convinced that racism was pretty much over. Our school was very integrated, we played and socialized freely amongst the races. As soon as she entered college she realized that racism was still alive and well. The blacks sat in their areas and the whites hung out in theirs with a little bit of inter mingling. For the next 50 years she had basically no interaction with whites beyond work or business related things. This is a sad reality in this country.
Meh, believe what you want. The next time you are at a BLM rally, let me know and I’ll join you.
Huh? Who said asking how a white man can help alleviate the plight of American blacks is racist? You asked how you can help. You can help by not being a racist. If you are not a racist, you are helping. Why would you ask a question and then take offense when it is answered honestly?
I’m beginning to think you may have ulterior motives with this line of questioning.