Comments

1. Alston wrote:

   1. I define it here.

   2. I respond with relief, because in spaces like this one, I can hear expressions of how it really is for so many people, rather than flat denial. Also, I don’t visit the ones that simply have denial.

   3. It would lift an invisible shroud of helplessness, and ease a constant, dull pain in my Self.

   4. I learn more about what it is, what is means, and why it is so important to discuss. And then I discuss it with those that would otherwise not think about it.

   5. I am willing to understand other points of view on different but similar issues, for if I cannot comprehend intersectionality, my cause cannot be taken seriously. It can only be competed with.

   Posted 15 Apr 2008 at 2:29 pm ¶

2. macintyre wrote:

   I think blogging can both help and hurt ending racism. It’s helped me tremendously to gain insight into the worlds of people and their experiences with racism that I’d otherwise never hear about, either because I don’t meet them or because the medium of the web makes it easier for them to be open about it. Posts here like Latoya’s on Anti-White Racism are, I’m guessing, subjects that you wouldn’t just raise casually with a white coworker or a white friend. Blogs allow more people to express their experiences more bravely and openly than you’d encounter in every day life.

   But the flip side of the freedom, easy access, and removal of social controls on blogs is obviously that people feel free to express racist thoughts that they wouldn’t in polite company, and even well-meaning debates become intensely vicious incredibly quickly. I don’t think this helps to move the cause along.

   Posted 15 Apr 2008 at 2:32 pm ¶

3. Josh wrote:

   1. racism is when a person has an image of a group of people he defines as a race and has generalized prejudices against these people.

   2. depending on my mood and how much i am hurt i will either ignore the comment or, immaturely, try to insult the person with possibly racist attacks.

   3. im mixed. racism pisses me off.

   4. the question is: ‘do i combat racism in my daily life?’ i try to point out to people when they are prejudiced and , well, the daily fight would be battling my own racism against others.

   5. huh? the theoretical question is ‘what would i sacrifice to end racism?’ – ’screw you racist bastard i pity you. aint shit im gonna give up to make your stupid ass not dislike me.” pardon my french.
   racism cant be ended. its nothing concrete that can be eradicated – it would always reappear. only way to end racism is to abolish religion and cultural customs and force interracial relationships on a global level, so that we would all have a healthy shade of brown. …but that would be getting rid of individuality and identity, which again is unethical.
   as long as theres diversity, there will always be racism or other kind of xenophobe behavior. wow, what a fun brainstorm exercise this was! (last thought: internet (of which blogs are a part of) probably helps ending racism because people might get more of an understanding for other people. however, among existing racists, it might as well strengthen the bonds.)

   Posted 15 Apr 2008 at 5:38 pm ¶

4. Violet wrote:

   This semester I’m taking a class on New Media and Public Relations and I’ve been forced to dive headfirst into blogging. At times, I’ve had adverse reactions to what I’m reading. It seems that there are different rules for online writing. Anyone can put on their online disguise or persona and say whatever they want. It seems like it’s easier to spread online than anywhere else. It spreads fast and is often concealed with a joke.

   However, I’ve started to change my tune about blogging. I wish that sites like this one had been available to me when I was growing up. I’m mixed (black/white) and rarely had the opportunity to openly discuss it or even read about others who share my identity. Thanks for being a place where I can feel comfortable. You’ve inspired me to enter this crazy world of blogging.

   Posted 15 Apr 2008 at 9:33 pm ¶

5. NancyP wrote:

   older white educationally and economically privileged lesbian woman here:

   1. prejudice based on membership in a “racial” group. I do think that individual members of an oppressed “racial” minority can be racist against the majority, as well as the more commonly cited vice versa. However, SYSTEMIC racism goes only one way, majority against minority.

   2. The distancing / anonymizing effect of Internet dialogue both helps and hurts. I can lurk and see others’ opinions on sensitive topics that are not the usual topic of conversation. I can ask questions and not feel foolish or intrusive. I can get slapped down for Teh Stupid, and inwardly digest that response to my comment without feeling it necessary to respond while in a “losing face” mode. I can respond in a measured manner. Or, I can flame. Perseverate. Prove to the world that I have No Manners. Yell memememememememe, without feeling the appropriate shame one would have in FTF encounters.

   I am not big on emoting while blogging. I see a blowup, I move away until things get rational.

   3. I live in St. Louis. City of, that is. 48% white, 48% black, 4% other. The greater metro area is very much segregated residentially according to several measures (echidne of the snakes, economist, had a series on methods of measuring segregation, earlier this year). Political and social tensions abound. School system sucks, due to white flight to Catholic schools and to suburbs. Tax base ditto. I count myself fortunate to belong to a racially and ethnically mixed church, but in general I’d guess that religious segregation is high here too. Shall I go on…..? I’d say the reasons and benefits are obvious. The city would work better and be a more pleasant place to live for everyone.

   4. Listen, read, learn. I grew up in the white ‘burbs, what do I know? Be polite and considerate to everyone. (and if you believe that I do the latter consistently, may I sell you the Eads Bridge? I just try, I don’t always achieve consideration and manners in a general hurry to get to the next duty/ event/ etc).

   5. Listen, read, learn, be polite and respectful. I am nowhere near the next step. If someone brings to my attention an upcoming local issue with racial impact, I will sign the petition (no not THAT petition – Ward Connerly is up to his tricks in Missouri), write a note to aldercritter, show up at rally. Not consistently – that rushing-around bit – but sometimes, and more often as I go on.

   Posted 15 Apr 2008 at 9:56 pm ¶

6. Macon D wrote:

   3. Why are you personally interested in ending racism? How would ending racism benefit you?

   Because as a white guy, I’ve been given things at the expense of others, and that corrodes my moral conscience. Ending racism would make me feel more in concert with the humans whom I’ve been trained by my white upbringing to resent, and who reasonably resent me in return (but hopefully less so when the encounter my anti-racist activism).

   4. How do you combat racism in your daily life?

   Teaching, conversation, blogging, raising a child into an actively anti-racist ideology.

   5. What are you personally willing to do to end racism? What would you be willing to give up? What would you offer?

   I will do what it takes, especially giving up my white privileges so that all can enjoy those things which would no longer be privileges. I would offer all of the energy I can muster, because I know I’d get it back in the forms of exhilaration and joy.

   Macon D

   http://stuffwhitepeopledo.blogspot.com/

   Posted 16 Apr 2008 at 12:23 am ¶

7. Josephine wrote:

   On a personal level, I know that your blog and others have helped me work out the racism that has been ingrained into my psyche over my lifetime. I have fetishized nearly every group that is different from my own and I’ve tended to view many people in caricature rather than reality. Nearly every new post has made me think, understand white privilege a little better and helped me to make conscientious decisions about who I endorse and what I invest my time in. Mending my mind may seem like only a small victory, but I spread ideas in the hope that they’ll catch. And it’s absolutely necessary to balance out all the rampant racism on the internet (like Youtube). Thank you.

   Posted 16 Apr 2008 at 1:03 pm ¶

8. Bwallk wrote:

   1.I define it as you simply not liking someone cause somthing you heard,Not being around them or whaever but not having any involements.2.I respond  wit the same racist intent they come to me wit,sorry iam weak if they r being racist then i out do them….I know its sad.
   3.My Daughter,Interracial child and shes so sweet…But assholes on my ladyside(whites) and my side(blacks)will try to bring her down one way or another,so it wouldnt hurt to see that shit go away.

   4. I olny give a racist vibe when i get one, you know eye for an eye.

   5. Willing to talk anytime,and NADA DAM THING,and i will offer understanding….sometimes.

   Posted 18 Apr 2008 at 5:34 am ¶