You're white. You haven't experienced racism

[PatricksRum]

I'm so sick of repeating myself today.
AIBU or is ignorance just bliss?

I don't think there is a systematic and structural oppression of white Europeans from any state, no. Mainly because I think racist (and sexist) structures rely on quick visual allocation of a person to a group, and this happens subconsciously a lot of the time.

White people from any ethnic origin will be automatically assigned to the group that's not suffering oppression. As will mixed race white passing people and white working class men.

It doesn't mean those people don't have difficulties in their lives. But those aren't caused by racism.

The reason the George Floyd death has been so illustrative is because that just wouldn't happen to a white man from any background. It exposes the power dynamic and yet we are still "oh racism happens to white people too"

Get your head out of your arse. White people aren't being killed on the basis of their skin colour. That's racism.

I didn't read the thread OP, knew the answers would be full of ''but what about that one time XYZ happened to me and I am WHITE, how do you explain that, uh?'' and since I am in the US and have had to deal with this type of conversation all day, everyday, this week and for as long as I can remember being made to have those conversation as a mixed-race individual, YANBU, it is sickeningly tiring.

I am actually quite impressed that now, even with the internet and all resources available, people still don't understand the difference between Racism and Xenophobia and how when they present me with an example of Xenophobia (which granted might come across as similar at first sight) it SIMPLY ISN'T THE SAME.

As an half-white half-black individual, if I had to cut myself in ''half'' I would say today my black side is thoroughly exhausted at the realization of the lack of education of a good chunk of the population on racial issues and my white side is thoroughly ashamed that so many people still get triggered by the notion of ''privileges''. If it wasn't for 50% of my dna being white, I would have an even harder life!

I am a gay woman of color but as a biracial individual EVEN I can admit that the amount of discrimination I face and experience, is much much less that anyone any shade darker than me.

Can't believe anyone Caucasian could genuinely look at a black individual and say ''I have faced racism, especially when I voluntarily picked to move in this country that is very well known for being close-minded/xenophobic and hating pretty much everyone (women included), I mean sure I didn't have to move there and yes I knew they were xenophobic and sexist before I moved but I was still shocked when I discovered they were as advertised, I know you say it was xenophobia because it's true they do hate kind of everyone there and I have seen questionable acts towards other minorities there but as a white individual I do genuinely feel like it was racism. I mean they did call me a racial slur for white. so what is that if not racism?"

I mean. It boggles my mind yet, so many time I see it done and they all manage to do it with a straight-face too.

Honestly YANBU.

This thread is a perfect example of white fragility.

White people have been asked a question by the OP. The thread is specifically about white people and their experiences .

Someone calls out white people on racism and they all try to justify it or defend it

White people are answering a question. If that's ok with you

@Pinkyyy

This is not about you. Stop hijacking the BLM movement.

According to the UN racism is abuse of people on basis of nationality -- it's very popular in Britain/on MN to slag off people of my nationality.

tbh, I don't take it personally so don't care. OP has a different definition of racism than UN. If we have to have a long discussion about definitions and who has right to be most indignant (league table?) then I have a toilet to scrub or something/anything else to do, tbh.

@JediJim

BTW, the George Floyd death was appalling but

And so the buts continue.

I'm off to work.

As I think I already clearly stated, the two countries have different histories. What they do have is very entwined histories and English colonists introduced slavery to what became the USA, of that there is no historical doubt.

Interesting choice of words - the whole of Europe participated, I seem to recall that the first to start transatlantic slavery were the Portuguese, but every European country got involved - certainly not just England or English colonists - I wonder why you single out the English?

Systematic prejudice is everywhere - colour of skin, foreign name - it is different if you're experiencing it your whole life rather than temporarily when living somewhere where you are like the majority, of course it is.

OP wasn't inviting white people to post their own experiences on 'racism'. You know this.

Op absolutely was with that title

Lots of people telling OP her experience is wrong. Nothing so say to say to them? Thought not.

Actually, I dont think people are telling g her experience is wrong. They are challenging her opinion. She can't experience racisim against white people, where white people are the minority. Because she is neither white or living in a country where white people are the minority.

Its an opinion. And actually, earlier in the thread i did challenge the views of some posters.

Again, why did you believe I was defensive of myself?

You dont want to answer that.

Unfortunately I think the failure to act in Victoria Agoglia's case is more about the assumptions made about teenage girls in care, taking drugs and having sex with older men. The men in the ring were sex abusers exploiting a situation that allowed them to get away with it. They are by no means the only perpetrators. Funny how no one ever refers to white paedophile rings.

This is not about you. Stop hijacking the BLM movement

Why should I? Why can the whole world speak up for racism against black people and nobody gives a fuck about what travellers go through every single day in this country. It's not socially acceptable to be racist to black people in most places in this country these days. Travellers are one of the only races that people are still so openly racist to and I'm sick of it.

OP wasn't inviting white people to post their own experiences on 'racism'. You know this.

Op absolutely was with that title. And of I am absolutely honest here, I think they knew very well what will happen. It is designed to start arguments

But people who are dissing white people who are trying and help because they haven’t experienced racism, it doesn’t sit right. Surely everyone needs to come together to overcome this not push people away. There seems to be an unhealthy vibe that all white people are being tarred with being racist.

Agreed!

@SharonasCorona

You have demonstrated that you don't understand the meaning of whataboutery, that you can't handle examples of racism which don't fit your narrow definition and that you are incapable of anything but insults when challenged on your statements. Go and explain 'white privilege' to Victoria Agoglia's grandmother.

I have experienced racism. So have many people of all races and colours; it isn't an exclusively black experience.

That doesn't matter at the moment: Black Lives Matter is what people are trying to promote.
Trying to appropriate this with 'All lives matter' is as exasperating as the men who tell us that men, too, can experience domestic violence.
Set up your own protests, then; don't hijack someone else's.

However, trying to alienate white people by claiming they can't possibly experience racism is wrong. This protest needs all the support it can get, precisely because it is taking place in countries where white people are often privileged.

We're stronger together, not fragmented into factions all pitted against each other.

I'm so fucking sick of having to defend the fact that I'm white. I have never been racist and never will be. If I don't like someone its because I don't like them as a person or because of their actions, not because of their skin colour or religion. I'm so fucking tired of being made to feel guilty because I'm white. I did not choose to be white the same way that everyone else doesnt choose their ethnicity. I agree that everything about racism is disgusting but I am seriously sick of the blame being put on 'ALL WHITE PEOPLE'. And yes white people, Asian people, infact EVERY ETHNICITY can and has experienced racism. It's very disrespectful and dismissive of you to say that if your white you cant experience racism.

@TooTrueToBeGood

Fuck me backwards, why can we not just listen and have empathy for our black friends, neighbours and colleagues. We need to be one society where eveyone is appreciated, valued and loved for the amazing human beings we all are.

It's depressing to see all the rebuttals from white people telling about their experiences as the targets of racism. What a load of shite. Isolated instances or limited periods of being the victim of bigotry does not mean you understand. I am white. I cannot understand what it is like to be on the wrong end of racism every waking day of my life by drawing on any of my own experiences. I can only begin to understand by opening my ears and my brain and truly listening to black people. I believe them. I weep for them. I share their outrage and anger. I support them because they are human beings and have every bit as much of a right to respect, opportunity and love as I do.

This.

OP, I’m not surprised you’re tired. Some of the whataboutery here is maddening.

I am white and I agree with you OP.

I have no idea what its like to have to consider the colour of my skin in my every day interactions and always wonder if people's reactions to me are based on that, instead of my character. I do not consider the police might be a threat to me.
I will never have to wonder if the reason I didnt get that job was due to my skin colour. I have never been called a name based on my ethnicity. I can watch TV or a film and see multiple examples of people like me, of the same ethnicity as me, in heroic and leading roles.

I think alot of people hear the term "privilege" and assume it implies that their life is "easy". Thats not what it means at all. I'm white and my life has been far from easy, its been challenging and hard as fck at times. BUT, my struggles were not made worse by the colour of my skin and THAT is white privilege.

@KnitFastDieWarm

let’s break this down:

racism is systemic; it is to do with the structure of society and the history of colonialism and slavery, therefore it can only exist from the ‘top down’ as it requires those who make the systems (historically and currently, these systems are constructed and controlled by white males); racial prejudice is something any individual of any race can feel or act on; it is of course completely unacceptable, and it may be caused structural racism in some cases, but it’s not the same thing. Acknowledging the difference does not diminish individual instances of anyone of any colour being abused because of their race - it’s all unacceptable. But George Floyd died because of racism, not racial prejudice, and that’s the issue right now. people are hurting, grieving, and afraid. let’s remember that and allow that grief and rage to be expressed.

@PatricksRum and another POC on this thread; i see you, i hear you, i believe you

I agree totally with the sentiment but I also think PP have a point that the definition of racism as in the dictionary and as widely understood by people is the same as your definition of racial prejudice.

I know there is a swell of opinion that only structural racism counts as racism but I don’t know the basis for that assertion, other than that some people say it.

I think you are right that it is this distinction that is causing the issue. Clearly white people do not suffer structural racism here, and most posters disagreeing with OP are giving examples of racial prejudice, because that’s included in the dictionary definition of racism.

I am not white and I think this thread is inflammatory and offensive.

Lee Right was murdered by two black men.
Just saying.

To the OP. Sorry you've had a particularly intense time dealing with racism this week.

I'm tired enough from the last few days and I'm white so don't have to live it every day. Its optional for me. I can switch off the tv. I can choose to ignore it and sit home and pretend it's not happening if I like. That's white privilege.

Travellers are one of the only races that people are still so openly racist to and I'm sick of it.
Well I agree, travellers are discriminated against. They do have something that black people don't though, they are able to disguise their ethnicity to avoid discrimination. They shouldn't have to, but there is an option there.

I did some volunteering work in Gambia. I was spat at, threatened and called names because I was white.