To think the world has a big white supremacy problem?

[GardenVariety]

Is anyone actually surprised that this has happened? It is shocking and sickening, but let’s face it, it has been so acceptable for so long to vilify muslims, to abuse muslims, to attack muslims - politicians have made careers out of this. Is it any wonder that yet another white supremacist has murdered muslims and has received praise for doing so by keyboard warriors on various platforms.

I (and most muslims in the West) have been dealing with the aftermath of 9/11 by being held responsible for every terrorist atrocity. Dealing with knee-jerk reactions and responses became the norm for me since then. Every terror attack, grooming ring, extremist preacher became my responsibility to explain, condemn and apologise for. I was asked why muslims don’t put double-page ads in the paper to apologise and condemn. I was told that I shouldn’t be surprised at the hostility towards muslims because the few give everyone a bad name.

So here I am, wondering if those people (all white) who were quick to vilify my religion and me and demanded an apology and explanation for the latest newspaper headline will now explain today’s headlines to me. Will they explain why white people do this? Will they give me a full breakdown of his manifesto, explain each name listed on the white terrorist’s guns, explain the choice of music on the video, explain why he filmed it, explain why he had so much support (white terrorist supported by other whites, therefore all whites must be terrorists) and take out ads in national papers apologising for being white. After all it was a white person who did this and just like all muslims were held accountable, will all whites be held accountable too?

Do you agree this is unfair?

Fuck yes, it's unfair.

I'm fully expecting that when the attacker's trial commences there will be a lot of talk about him being an upstanding member of the community, loved his dog, was nice to old ladies, followed by a torrid tale of woe about the "mental health issues" that plagued him since childhood, how he was crying our for help, how it led him down this path, sob, sob, look at him the wee, tortured angel.

Because white terrorists can't just be hateful bigots acting out of malice, there must be an underlying reason why they've acted as they have and why it isn't entirely their fault.

Sorry I should have said the media, and the politicians who brief said media.

@Dungeondragon15 That is of course the sensible, balanced and rational view. But it is seldom held up as the rational view. I was sickened by the way the NZ terrorist was covered in some quarters of the media yesterday: "Angelic young boy." Had he been brown it would have been a totally different angle.

Yup, there's a definite issue there; white people have been doing shitty things to millions for a long time, and i'm sorry for that and wish we hadnt/didnt.

Have you heard the statements from the NZ pm though? I think its wrong to suggest they are shying away from publically condemning this and saying it isnt a terrorist attack?

OP I'm a white 'middle class' middle aged Scot and I agree with every word you said.

Those of us who are not extremists are not to blame for their actions whatever our race or religion

That's true. But it's white people who aren't asked to justify who they are because of the actions of another white person.

The same cannot be said for Muslims, or other BAME people.

Therein lies the institutional racism/bigotry.

But if OP were seriously to make the suggestion that we hate each other more to even it up (I know she's not) that's not going to move us all any further forward.

As we both know that she is not saying this, what is your point? She pointed out the double standard. I don't see how that is detrimental. Should POC not point out the double standards? It seems to me always on threads like this some people(not talking about you btw) come out of the woodwork crying white victim and making the problem all about them, saying that the OP is making an attack on white people. It's so frustrating.

Oh yes, totally, not disagreeing at all. I suppose I jut think by "making a point" and taking up a faux position to make the point, it's going to make it easier for the "reverse racism" crew on MN to deliberately miss the point.

Jacinda Ardern has actually set a good example on this occasion. Hopefully that permeates a bit.

This is how white terrorists are portrayed by the media. "A cute little white boy, wherever did things go wrong?"

Could you imagine a Muslim terrorist being portrayed in the same way?

Oh ffs

@DoneLikeAKipper that man is NOT a New Zealand senator! New Zealand doesn’t have senators for a start, he is in Queensland which is in AUSTRALIA.
Yes the same Australia which is where the POS terrorist was bred.

kipper and cole That wasn't a new zealand senator - it's an Australian one. The suspect is also Australian.

My bad.

Thank you to those who understood my post - I really didn’t think it was too complex to understand but it obviously is to the ‘slow-clapper’ poster and similar who completely missed the point.

Thank you to TacoLover, Tomtontom and all others who have understood my post.

I understand your anger, OP.

hendal

Already said I was mistaken.

Sick, probably mentally ill, certainly obsessive individuals are completely wrong in their actions but there's no need for the wider population to apologise. There is a difference though with Islamic terror as it's being done in the name of the religion hence religious leaders needing to explain they are wrong (I haven't seen any reports that the Christchurch gunman was a follower of any religion, he followed far right ideology which is being universally condemned

OP I am sorry white people have made you feel like this and I am regularly ashamed of the Human Race (whatever their religion or colour) I cannot begin to explain why people do these things, in answer to your question I have to say “Yes”

@DoneLikeAKipper - I suggest you read the article in your link more closely - even the headline shows that Fraser Anning is an Australian senator.

Sick, probably mentally ill, certainly obsessive individuals are completely wrong in their actions but there's no need for the wider population to apologise.

And there it is.

Completely agree with you.

Can't believe the defensive responses you are getting. People are so deliberately obtuse.

That first one should be nominated for MN twatty comment of the year.

@RustyBear already acknowledge it, not the point as it’s still a person in power blaming the victims for existing rather than condemning the attacker.

Where are their community leaders? Sadiq Khan has been asked countless times to apologise for the actions of Muslims. On this occasion I happen to think Boris Johnson should apologise - wasn't it him that made remarks about "bank robbers" and "letter boxes."

@Tomtontom I really don't think giving that particular rag credibility by discussing it is a good idea. The DM has always been a racist comic and will always be a racist comic.

Of course you're right that the wider media is responsible, normally in a more dog whistle kind of way.

Oh yes, totally, not disagreeing at all. I suppose I jut think by "making a point" and taking up a faux position to make the point, it's going to make it easier for the "reverse racism" crew on MN to deliberately miss the point.

Yes I agree. However I still think the OP was right to make this post even if it makes it easier for white people to twist her words. Makes it easier for us to combat bigotry and ignorance directly

Sick, probably mentally ill, certainly obsessive individuals are completely wrong in their actions but there's no need for the wider population to apologise. There is a difference though with Islamic terror as it's being done in the name of the religion hence religious leaders needing to explain

Why?

If I blow up a few dozen people tomorrow in the name of vegetarianism, who has to "explain" then?

People are not at fault for the actions of other people. Race, religion or otherwise