I think that this unit has been pretty interesting so far. I guess I never really thought about how sometimes things happen just because of race. Most people think that all racial issues are done. After hearing some things people said in the videos and reading the book, it is pretty clear that their are still some racial issues in this country and world. I still do have some problems with some things though. I don't really understand why caucasian people feel bad or guilty about some things because it isnt their fault that they were born that way. The other thing that kind of makes me mad is not talking about how whites are subject to racism too. I can think of multiple times where it has happened to me. This summer a cop pulled me over in Camden just because I was white. He asked me why a white boy like me was in Camden and told me to stay away from there. That is pretty clear cut racism in my eyes. I don't understand why things like that aren't talked about more.
Hoss Washington
I also never thought that much about racial privelege until this unit. This is a topic that I think definitely needs to be discussed more. Your peronal story was pertty shocking to me and shows that racial issues are still alive even though some may think they're not.
ReplyDeleteThats a pretty interesting piont you made about whites being discriminated against and your personal story real got me thinking about racism towards white people. Its definitly not discussed as much as discrimination against people of other colors. Although the one video or set of videos did discuss discrimination against Asians. I also thought it was wierd that some poeple felt guilty for their skin color when it was something they didn't chose for themselves. It seemed like alot of the poeple who felt that way had a personal relationship with some one o a different color and they person had a negitive experience with racism. Maybe that's where the guilt comes from.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right in that white people don't often think about things happening just because of race. Like the one video said, black people wake up and think "I am black" and it's always at the front of their mind. That was surprising to me. I think white people might feel guilty for being white because the color is associated with all the horrible racism of the past. It's not something they chose or took part in, but they feel guilty about what their ancestors did to people of color and fear that it might be associated with them.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that racism is still prevalent in the world. I know this because I am surrounded by it in my town and my family. I also do not understand why people think that not everyone is subject to racism. Everyone is affected by it. I believe that no one should feel bad or be ashamed of the color of their skin. They should be proud of who they are and not let stupid things get to them.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we should be discussing "guilt" and "shame" associated with the times when we fail to "act" or "react" to situations that we know are wrong. Of course we should not be held responsible for the crimes of our ancestors...no matter what color we may be, but we should be held responsible for turning our backs or keeping silent when we recognized someone was in need. I think this is why the cycle continues. We are afraid...or perhaps too busy assigning blame...to step up when it matters.
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