Not All Bitter, Not All Clingy -- In Defense of "Whitey"
The headline of a recent USA Today article read: FEDS TRY TO DETECT 'LONE OFFENDERS.' Lone offenders being: "lone attackers who may be contemplating politically charged assaults."
That, of course, could be anyone.
But the triptych that went with the article was of Ted Kaczynski, Eric Rudolph and James Von Brunn. The not so subtle message: beware the evil white man. Clearly the mainstream media, which I know is evil because I read it in a blog, is at war with white males. Or as some -- not me -- would refer to them: "whitey."
Every time a white male governor secretly leaves the country for five days to be with his "soul mate," or some patriot shows up at a town hall meeting on health care reform packing a loaded gun the mainstream media flogs the pony. Simultaneously, they indict the dozens and dozens of white men who go to work when they're supposed to, try not to call the president a racist-Nazi-socialist-fascist-death paneler, and who can engage in the First Amendment without doing an open carry of the Second Amendment.
It's painful watching the ongoing, vicious denigration of "whitey"... and can I just tell you how much I hate that word? One of my best friends is a white guy. He's good people. A credit to his race. I had lunch with him once, and not only did he pick up the check, he tipped very well.
And once you get to know a white guy, you come to understand that the way some of them act; it's a cultural thing. White guys are and have always been a minority in America. Going back to the first population count in 1790 white men made up only 41 percent of the population. Now, they're less than 32 percent. And, as a minority, they've had a long history of oppression over the last six months. They're down to six of nine spots on the Supreme Court, 82 out of 100 Senators and a scant 79 percent of the CEOs of the Fortune 500 Companies.
How would you like to literally wake up one morning and face those kinds of losses to your hegemony? It makes for a sense of peril which does not fade just by watching a couple of episodes of Mad Men and getting nostalgic for the good old days.
And then all people ever want to do is blame white guys for everything. "You started the war in Iraq." "You ruined the economy." "You fired Paula Abdul from American Idol." Bitch, bitch, bitch.
Heck, if that were me getting continually hit up like that, I'd probably start demanding to see people's birth certificates and arresting them in their homes for no good reason, too.
Under the circumstances, we can't get any more mad at "whitey" -- and, seriously, I mean it: I never want to hear that word again -- for being the way he is than we can a bird for flying.
President Obama, when he was still Senator Obama, called it: "It's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Instead of blaming white men for all that's wrong with America, let's try walking a mile in their frustrated, little shoes.
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Intelligence dictatorship -- Blinded by pride
Brains like sex-appeal and vast amounts of capital pass from father to son, the rich stay wealthy and the poor stay enslaved.
Now we all know our children are less intelligent, brain-power best at age 28, so why is it impossible for the stuck-up intelligent middleclass to grasp the reality that they will never be rich?
For intelligence is the speed at which the brain rationalizes a problem and takes corrective action. For ability to kill is in direct proportion to speed of thought.
My forefathers were white laboring class, even before they came to America as bond slaves. And like my black laboring brothers, our laboring fathers were hand picked for a sail boat ride to America not because they were so intelligent, but because dumb slaves make the very best slaves.
Pulled KP duty in yonder Vietnam War, hand planted seedling pine for 20 years before retiring, very proud I am to be one of your very best slaves.
For the purpose of this world is to prove the harm in it, so take care how you treat your slaves.
You know what it means when men have small feet...
They wear small shoes?
I think white males are starting to be upset because of examples like the Ricci Case or New Jersey Firefighter Case, generalizations about white men coming from a self-identified "affirmation action baby" Sonya Sotomayor, and phrases like "typical white person" coming from our president to describe his mother etc.. White male bashing seems to be in vogue. I went to a health-care reform rally here in Dallas sponsored by "Move On." I was immediately perceived as suspicious because I am a white male and greeted with frowns. When it became clear that I was there to support them (move on and health care reform), then I became welcome. Maybe the shoe is now on the other foot, but fighting fire with fire or in this case racism with racism is a mistake.
Speaking the TRUTH about the unfair advantages whi tes have enjoyed and from which they have prospered for the entire history of this country is NOT "wh ite male bashing." Nor is it reverse r.cism. It is simply stating the TRUTH. Its unfortunate that some of your egos are too fragile to hear the truth, but that doesn't make it any less true.
Moreover, some of you still expect -- sometimes even dare to demand -- that the privileges continue to be carried forward for your offspring. Its not right, and you should expect people who have always been on the short end of the stick to continue speaking out about it -- loudly, forcefully, and maybe even angrily. No justice, no peace.
But why should fire fighters be promoted based on who is the most intelligent? Are not all who labor intelligent enough to think for themselves? Should not honesty be the priority? Look at how a most intelligent Capitan caused his entire company of fire fighters to parish on 911. Surely no slow and careful thinking laboring man would have been so stupid.
Its like when I told someone that the permanent homeless were those who lacked the intelligence to earn a living wage, and they replied, "Why shame people by talking like that?"
And so, why should I feel shame because I am dumb and slow of thought? For we are all created with a different ability to earn income as a test, to see if we pass our excessive wealth down to those less intelligent where it belongs.
To: ItHadToBeSaid, that's just simply not true....anything you said. The overwhelming majority of us "white folks" are middle class, regular people. The vast majority of us have had to work very hard to attain any measure of success. I'm a 62-year-old white female & I've worked all my life, because that's what I was taught to do to be an achiever, a winner at life. I've attained a middle class level of success because of my ambition, education, hard work, as well as my perseverance & tenacity in the face of adversity & setbacks that I've had to overcome. I'm not bitter about those setbacks & hardships; it's just the way things shake out sometimes. I think most of us (whitey) think that way; working hard+tenacity+ambition+education=success. I've expected no privileges, contrary to what you said, & have gotten no "privileges." I've proudly EARNED everything. I worked during college and had student loans. I worked during graduate school & had student loans as well as 2 children. I know many other hard-working achievers. What I don't have is a fragile ego & entitlement attitude, nor do I hate to hear the truth. However, you're not telling any kind of truth. You seem angry & unhappy. Life isn't all roses for anyone. We all face hard times; you learn to WORK through it. It's all in the attitude! You're a sad, pitiful individual and will continue to be with that poor me, put-upon attitude.
To: ItHadToBeSaid, that's just simply not true....anything you said. The overwhelming majority of us "white folks" are middle class, regular people. The vast majority of us have had to work very hard to attain any measure of success. I'm a 62-year-old white female & I've worked all my life, because that's what I was taught to do to be an achiever, a winner at life. I've attained a middle class level of success because of my ambition, education, hard work, as well as my perseverance & tenacity in the face of adversity & setbacks that I've had to overcome. I'm not bitter about those setbacks & hardships; it's just the way things shake out sometimes. I think most of us (whitey) think that way; working hard+tenacity+ambition+education=success. I've expected no privileges, contrary to what you said, & have gotten no "privileges." I've proudly EARNED everything. I worked during college and had student loans. I worked during graduate school & had student loans as well as 2 children. I know many other hard-working achievers. What I don't have is a fragile ego & entitlement attitude, nor do I hate to hear the truth. However, you're not telling any kind of truth. You seem angry & unhappy. Life isn't all roses for anyone. We all face hard times; you learn to WORK through it. It's all in the attitude! You're a sad, pitiful individual and will continue to be with that poor me, put-upon attitude.
Also when I come in I'll bring my Mad Men box sets.
Obama, Gates and a legalized killer -- Sit down for a glass of beer.
All of the stuck-up intelligent middleclass, and none in their entire life ever sat down with a slow and careful thinking laboring man for a five minute friendly conversation.
And if you want to walk a mile in our shoes and help "whitey" can i bring my package in for staff on wanda sykes show? All my black friends got interviews but i didn't and yet they write sketch humour and not monologue.
you see at the end of the day you are facing raci sm with cowardice. your hiding behind the fact that racial venting is not mutually exclusive so it is unfair because w hite people can't do it, but when this arguement is removed there is little to nothing standing between you and R A C I S M actual real life raci sm, been hangin n ig gas, de ath to Oba ma rac ism, and then you act like cowards hiding behind your fancy rectifications and whi te entitlement all full of yourself. or mabey you are just fustrated and don't know what to do, but if that was the case you are way out of line with your responses and apathy. ra cism is real and it is happening because you let it happen not because I failed out of school not because I was lazy about a career path, not because I didn't invest in the community, but because you let it happen to me and your ok with that (probably because you think I am in your own mind). And if you're still like, that's just not me, just know you are a part of this:
http://american-pictures.com/gallery/index.html
and just because you don't know which part doesn't mean you don't contribute
on second thought, we should look to see what black people mean to us, apart from the status quo and if not on an individual basis then as a reference of experience. what black people mean to me is a reminder; a reminder that our biases will yield to unconditional love. what they (blacks) mean in context to white society is much the same: a deviation from sameness; the intention of being separate or separated; a challege to know yourself well enough to not necessarily doubt what you don't understand. As for the status quo: we all let each other believe that they (blacks) are a problem; they are volatile antagonists of their own malady, be they passive or aggressive. And I (whites) can not be rid of them, further most don't assimilate well (which may actually be a lie) etc, etc... it is the exchange of the frenetic lie for a docile truth which pushes consumption as the currency of status quo; popular paradigms wilt and bloom again and the cycle continues to exploit our consciouses. Like the french revolutions of the renaissance period we must realize our own strength in leadership. When they tell us that god decides who is rightful ruler we stand and say, No! likewise, when they tell us what is said and sold on television is our god we stand and say, No! We know the truth from lies and we know choice from consumption we can shape our own destinies.
Great article John! It not only made me laugh, but it also brought some things to my attention that I really never thought about. Thanks.
Is this suppose to be a joke? Here are the facts:
White persons, 80.1%
Black persons, 12.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native persons, 1.0%
Asian persons, 4.4%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 0.2%
Source(s):
census.gov
It's called "satire".
But you must be worried about life as white minority in America.
yes, actually it is supposed to be a joke
Let's see based on the enthusiastic response to the above and income this thread generated for the blog the author would be henceforth discouraged from race bating.... pause.......... yeah right.
no race baiting here.
Perhaps the biggest problem is that no one has ever tried to explain structural oppression to him in a way that didn't feel like an attack on everything he's ever done. If someone comes to you and tells you your life achievements should have an asterisk next to them because structures of oppression let you do those things, you're going to get angry and defensive and disagree with them. If they make fun of you, it'll be even worse.
Next time, keep your sarcastic contribution to the debate to yourself. It doesn't help.
The End.
Just like non-white people get angry when they're referred to as the "affirmative action candidate" or the "affirmative action justice".
Sorry, but if white people refuse to acknowlege the realities of how being white benefits them, that is not Mr. Ridley's problem.
Yers....White privilege.
The 800lb gorilla that invokes the humongous blind spot of denial among those who talk of absurdities such a 'reverse racism'.
It helped a lot. It forced you to express yourself. You'd rather pretend white privilege, gun-clinging, racially bitter white folks don't exist. They do.
You think all black people consider themselves "victims" -- the catchall white defense, "Why do black people always have to play the victim card right after they play the race card? I wanted to play the race card and the victim card. I wanted to claim "reverse discrimination" victim.
There is no debate if you're trying to controll who gets to speak.
The Beginning
Calling someone like that a racist is only going to hurt efforts to create an antiracist society. He tries not to judge people on appearances. He only gets concerned in inner-city neighborhoods because he thinks they have a higher per-capita rate of violent crimes. He would marry a person of color if they were compatible. He thinks the distribution of race in the Senate is sad, but that's who the voters wanted. He thinks similarly of the court. If the best people for the job at the time happened to be white men, that's who should be appointed. He doesn't think there are intrinsic differences based on race and sex. He thinks other people think like he does. He's a reasonable, decent person. However, he might get upset at what he sees as unfair penalties levied on him by favoring minorities through affirmative action. He thinks "I didn't enslave or segregate anybody, why should I be punished for things that happened before I was born?"
Just A Little More...
Many white men feel oppressed because society tells them they are oppressors, but they feel like they aren't getting any big benefits from being a white man. Usually this is because class oppression (which unlike race/gender oppression is verboten in American political life. Hypothetical: You're a white guy. Let's say your name is Jack. Your parents don't have a ton of money or go to college. You grow up, do pretty well in school, do all the right things, apply to college. You don't get in, but Bill your black buddy did, and you know he didn't do as well in school or on the SATs as you did. He hasn't done anything else particularly special either, but he not only got in, he got a full scholarship.
To Be Continued...
1. 'Feeling' oppressed and actually BEING oppressed are two very different things, especially when the 'oppression' that the wh ite man feels is likely discomfort at being told the truth about himself. There are many advantages you enjoy simply because you are white; many "benefits of the doubt" you are easily given. So many, in fact, that you probably aren't even aware of some of them. You just take them for granted. Come to expect them. And when they are questioned, or even denied, you resort to 'demanding' them.
2. As for the example laid out in your post, Affirmative Action is not a tool to give lesser qualified people positions that they don't deserve. THAT would benefit NOBODY. Affirmative Action is meant to give qualified, talented, deserving individuals the opportunities that for too long have been denied. Now, to rectify the unfairness of the past 400+ years is quite simply IMPOSSIBLE. However, we can and should make the effort.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/21/maddow-demolishes-buchana_n_241812.html
Pay particularly close attention from :45 to 1:35.
1. You don't get FULL scholarships for being mediocre...so your hypothetical presents a scenario that would not happen.
2. It is HISTORY that tells them they were oppressors, not just society.
3. Class oppression, IMO, is real and should be dealt with as it affects people of ALL races.
4. A problem with your scenario sort of stems from the notion that lots of whites make: that anytime a black person gets a job/into college over them, it has to be because of some law that gives them an unfair advantage. That is not the case.
Mr. Ridley,
Funny, biting sarcasm.
It's the touch of truth that adds the bite.
Truth......it's a beautiful thing
Moderator: This is for you and Huffington.
I'm white. Born in the early 50's in Compton, CA. Raised in South Central.
Right through the riots.
Moved away in late 60's to join the Corps.
I had enough during those years of being called whitey, honkey and casper.
Racist speech or writing is racist - whether hidden under a thin sheen of sarcasm or not.
Recommend you don't turn HP into a racist blog site for ANY group spewing their hatred.
Yes individual black people can be bigots.
Let us know when you no longer enjoy white skin privilege; when you're stopped for DWW; when you're denied a mortgage even though your income, savings and credit score or equivalent or superior to a black person who was approved for a mortgage by the same institution; when you are sent to jail for infractions that black people aren't even arrested for.
White skin privilege? Why just today I had a white man in a 3 piece stop his Benz and hand me a stack of bills (too many to count) and he said keep up the good work my white brother. It happens all the time. We just make sure your kind aren't around first. Damn I gave it away.
Your personal experiences do not apply here remember?
Like yawning in court.
Give me a break.
Pretty good satire, but on a serious note, there is discontent among alot of Americans who are convinced they will not have a retirement or enjoy the lifestyle their parents had. The age of prosperity skipped them.
Just like in the post Civil War south the rich have tapped into their discontent and the target is anything different from the status quo, be it a biracial president, a Hispanic on the Supreme Court, or changes to our current health system.
All these people concerned about the huge deficits make me wondering where they were when we invaded Iraq (a war of choice, not necessity) and doubled the national debt in 8 years (from 5 to 10 trillion). Why weren't they demanding their taxes be raised so we wouldn't push this debt on our children?
Alot of these unahppy peple refuse to recognize how unfair our system was and is, how it excluded people. They believe those people have taken their spot, unwilling to accept the reality is they never had a spot.
Have I seen minorities who should be fired but aren't because they scream discrimination? Sure. But I've also ween white males who should be shown the door but aren't either. Lazy people are everywhere, but so are the industrious.
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