Does racism only work one way?

[Libre2]

twitter.com/MrNishKumar/status/1544372542097559554

Not sure what I think about this really, but I can see it causing absolute outrage if it were the other way round.

Rich white men are the main problem in the world. Pointing this out and being happy that someone from your demographic may be instrumental in the failure of one isn't racism.

You literally cannot be racist about the white men in power. You can still be bigoted or xenophobic - but not racist because the power balance always lies with them no matter how wealthy or influential someone from a different demographic may be.

You don't understand what racism is if you think this is an example. But you are right that the tables being turned out cause outrage because that would be racism.

Racism - much like sexism, ageism, ableism etc - is, in terms of classical Marxist philosophy, about an imbalance of power: punching down, if you like.

The world has, for most of history, been run by rich white men (and I don't see that changing soon, unfortunately).

Save your sympathy for those who deserve it.

So, in much of sub- Saharan Africa, rich black men are the problem- is it racist to point that out?

I have not one ounce of sympathy for anyone in this scenario, believe me! I’m just interested in the concept.

Resentful Lemon’s post makes no sense whatsoever. Racism is discrimination based on race - not power or privilege or circumstance. To adulterate the definition of the word dilutes it’s meaning and does no justice whatsoever to victims of real racism.

Just to add that I agree wholeheartedly with Mr Kumar, I’m no fan of Boris that’s for sure.

Yes racism works one way because its about power imbalance.

The old “normal” definition still works for me, racism is discrimination based on race. Kumar is being racist.

I’m aware of the rather desperate attempts by activists to reframe it so that only white people can be guilty, but I file that nonsense alongside “trans women are women.”

Oh Nish ! can’t get a proper job as a comedian, so has to rattle the cage instead….pathetic stirring IMHO. I don’t think Javid and Sunak would be delighted at his intervention, either., they being competent and distinguished people in their own right.

Prejudice based on a persons race can indeed be directed at white people. BUT racism is systemic and related to power structures.

It makes perfect sense thanks.

As AffIt put it, it's about punching down. You can't punch down to a wealthy, white leader of a country whose only potential lifetime discrimination has been based on not being wealthy enough or owning a fucking comb

Also...

So, in much of sub- Saharan Africa, rich black men are the problem- is it racist to point that out?

Actually, again the problem historically is the white rich men behind what's happened on the African continent. What's happening there today is the result of colonialism inflicted by...rich white men.

You're either spectacularly naive to the reality of what racism looks like or purposefully obtuse to the meaning of white privilege.

Racism can work both ways, but the impact of racism and the harm it causes are much greater when directed at historically oppressed and marginalised groups who suffer the social and economic inequality caused by deep-seated racist attitudes to this day. Racist attitudes against such groups result in poverty, ill-health, effective exclusion or underrepresentation in well-paid professional jobs, police brutality and victimisation and unjustified killings, to name just a few effects. 'Racism' aimed at 'rich white men' results in... what?

This 👆

I will worry more about whether Nish Kumars comments were racist when we manage to have a prime minster who is not white

How long does history excuse present behaviour?

But free speech ... Racism only a problem when the majority feel uncomfortable.

It's like sexism. You could try being sexist towards men, but they've got (almost) all the power, so it's immaterial.

How long do you think it should?

The legal definition of racism can be found here:

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/protected-characteristics/race-discrimination/

For what it's worth OP I believe racism works each and every way. Racism is having preconceived ideas about someone based purely on their race and is just as valid (and wrong) no matter what race you are.

Nish Kumar's comment I'm not sure is actually racist though as he's not saying Johnson acts the way he does because he is white. However if it were a white person making a similar comment about say David Lammy being 'brought down' by 2 white men then there would be an outcry of racism. So in retrospect I think what he said was quite divisive and ill-judged.

I grew up in an area with a very high percentage of Pakistani people. My Pakistani friends were not allowed round my (very respectable) parents house and I was not allowed round theirs if the parents were in. My friends told me this was because I am white and their parents didn't want them being friends with white girls. IMO the parents were being racist and I can't see how anyone could think otherwise.

Yes, racism can work both ways.

So whoever’s being racist, it’s rich white men who are to blame. What a hopeless view of a complex world you seem to have.

I agree with pp: racism works all ways. It's prejudice or discrimination against someone based on their race.

It's got nothing to do with power (otherwise we'd have to say that there was no racism against Obama when he was president aka the most powerful man in the world).

But race isn’t fact, it’s a social construct to make ‘others’