Black Lives Matter - a converstation

[DharmaGirl]

Why do Americans afraid of women in power?

I don't know. Women aren't a part of the rich white man group.

Also I find American culture fascinating (which the white/black are the same - cause only within they think they have different culture but in the world - they have the same culture - which its irony is lost to most Americans)

I understand what you're saying, but what I'm talking about is the culture of the group within the group. The Irish used to be indentured servants in the US. I'm 3rd generation Irish, which doesn't mean much but we have a culture in our family that is different from the culture of O's family. I love diversity and love meeting people that are different from me.

it is nothing without your black folks

Yes, many people need to realize this. The fact that the huge plantations would have been failures without slave labor is very telling.

White privilege is sort of sword or shield depending on the person brandishing.

My definition of white privilege is a state where whites don't have to worry about being discriminated against. White privilege also includes being free from harassment from birth. If you look at the ACEs study, most people of color have high ACE scores because of racism, thus setting them up for chronic illness, mental illness etc. I grew up chubby in a time when it was ok to make comments about it. I felt shame all the time. I was made fun of, harassed, and the butt of cruel jokes by adults and kids. This is a very tiny version of what American racism is like.

A friend of mine bought a house in a rural neighborhood and went to introduce herself to the neighbor. He came out with a shotgun and told her to get off his property. Would he have done that if she were white? I doubt it.

 

[Ronin]

@DharmaGirl, different lived experience - and even how presence in some spaces will be experienced, based on the life one leads.

Not the same starting point.

That doesn't even start on the point SRG said - wouldn't know even the numbers of PoC here / PoC identified, because how many are vocal? And how many threads even *acknowledge* race as factors?

Last I noticed many threads on race over the years went down the drain very fast. Majority for white people taking offense when it was pointed out even being white changes things.

Where the very same people are able to get, say, being a CSA vic and being adulthood combat vet will be different issues.

If race didn't matter online, occurences like that wouldn't happen...

We could have a talk about race as just a thing, no hard feelings, no banhamners and fancy thread locks needed.

Or, ok, not banhammers here, but locks anyway.

Just stating. Not jabs at concrete people here. Trends. Issues. Observations.

 

[Teasel]

Some resources I've collected and have been working my way through to educate myself.

Ways To Help

7 Ways You Can Take Action for Racial Justice Right Now

This Woman’s Explanation Of Racial Gaslighting Is Making A Powerful Statement On The Internet

Instagram accounts you can follow to learn from -
@ibramxkendi
@rachel.cargle
@colorofchange
@ckyoupriviledge
@theconciouskid
@mspackyetti
@blklivesmatter
@tamikadmallory
@privtoprog
@munroebergdorf
@ayishat_akanbi
@renieddolodge
@roxanegay74


Education Resources

 

[Rani G2]

Glad you mentioned Reni Eddo-Lodge :-)

 

[Teasel]

@Rani G Her book‘s on my kindle to be read.

I know in my abusive relationship, Mr was always demanding I explain to him how to not be abusive. But it didn’t matter what I said it made no difference. So I refuse to explain anything to him anymore. I shall be interested to see what she says in this book. I can get that expecting victims of racism to teach others how not be racist is not palatable.

 

[Mach123]

I just feel horrible about the whole thing. That 8 yeast old black girl was murdered in cold blood this weekend.

 

[joeylittle]

WHAT THE OP SAID ABOUT STARTING THIS THREAD:

Anyway, I know I am sometimes racist without knowing it, and I hesitated to write about my fiance and friend because I wasn't saying, hey look-I have black friends, I was trying to communicate that I didn't see them as people different from me as a human. I want to know what I can do to help the movement from anyone of color here, or any white person who might have an opinion.

I just wanted to know if anyone wanted to discuss it and how we who are white...can improve our relationship with people of color.

I bolded the key points. So:

If you want to engage in this specific discussion - be my guest.

If you disagree with the discussion itself - move to another thread.

If you are unsure of whether a post belongs in this thread: report it.

 

[Ronin]

@Teasel You're doing it right. :tup:

Amazing work on the resources & getting it alike.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Thank you for the resources @Teasel, I'll read them.

 

[Teasel]

Just to add @DharmaGirl I meant nowt against you or your post. I regularly find racist thoughts going through my mind also and it has bothered me for some time.

Recently with protests around George Floyd I started thinking if it bothers me so much what am I going to do about it. Hence beginning to collect resources I've seen online.

Happy yo talk with you about this if you'd like.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Oh, @Teasel, I didn't think you did! I was really happy with the resources. I think it is hard to have this conversation so I'm surprised I got any response at all. I just want to be the best human I can be.

 

[Teasel]

Aww, ok :)