Meghan speaks about racism

[DaisyChain31]

I was watching the news a few minutes a go and watched Meghan (Markle, Duchesss of Sussex), speaking about racism.

She has faced a lot of racism but she didn't mention her plight or go into it. It's palpable on Facebook for example. People saying things like she doesn't fit into the royal family, is she white or black, Harry should have married English rose Cressida because she's a better fit etc. All pretty disgusting to be honest. The latest is that her looks are being compared to Cressida's so it's a mix of underhanded racism, sexism and just nastiness really.

Do you think that Meghan deliberately never spoke about what she has faced because she doesn't think she faces the same issues that general citizens of the US and other countries around the world face? Because she is in a privileged position compared or others (security, respected by a lot of non racists etc).

Do you think that this issue, right now, should focus on racism that will lead to brutality which will most likely be experienced by non celebrities or do you think that it should focus on racism against black people over all, even though the racism is sometimes just words from trolls and idiots on social media? Words still hurt but I can see why Meghan would perhaps not want to try and liken herself to George Floyd for example as it's unlikely Meghan would ever find herself in the hands of police to do as they please.

Do you think black celebrities should speak up because their voices often reach further or do you think it might come across as insensitive to the general population of black people because celebrities are much less likely to experience racial police brutality for example?

Do you think that class is playing a major roll in all of this along with racism?

But not while black people are being slaughtered.

This is a question of perspective though, no? Are we talking about black people in the UK,the US, the world? Because I can't agree that black people are being slaughtered in the UK, certainly not as a result of racism.

As for discussing privilege - is the term "privilege" useful if as soon as it's mentioned people shut down and react defensively to the term? How is that useful in starting a dialogue?

is the term "privilege" useful if as soon as it's mentioned people shut down and react defensively to the term? How is that useful in starting a dialogue?

Black people shouldn’t have to censor themselves and play nice so as to gently encourage defensive white people into “a dialogue.” It’s not our job to educate you, and it’s not our job to “start a dialogue.”

I know you don’t mean it, but it’s racist to say that black people need to censor themselves in situations of enormous trauma, to avoid white people having to feel mildly uncomfortable. The fact white people get so upset at language that makes them feel slightly uncomfortable while black people are literally being murdered is proof of white privilege.

Do you also believe that women should be sweet and mild-mannered and be careful to avoid getting angry or using certain terms like misogyny or rape culture when debating feminist issues, because it “makes men shut down and react defensively”?

www.irr.org.uk/research/statistics/racial-violence/

www.yesmagazine.org/social-justice/2017/07/24/10-examples-that-prove-white-privilege-exists-in-every-aspect-imaginable/

@ChocolatelyAsFuck

is the term "privilege" useful if as soon as it's mentioned people shut down and react defensively to the term? How is that useful in starting a dialogue?

Black people shouldn’t have to censor themselves and play nice so as to gently encourage defensive white people into “a dialogue.” It’s not our job to educate you, and it’s not our job to “start a dialogue.”

I know you don’t mean it, but it’s racist to say that black people need to censor themselves in situations of enormous trauma, to avoid white people having to feel mildly uncomfortable. The fact white people get so upset at language that makes them feel slightly uncomfortable while black people are literally being murdered is proof of white privilege.

Do you also believe that women should be sweet and mild-mannered and be careful to avoid getting angry or using certain terms like misogyny or rape culture when debating feminist issues, because it “makes men shut down and react defensively”?

Where are you getting this from?

Was the term white privilege invented by black people?

I'm not asking black people to censor themselves. They can say whatever they want, whether it will get the response they were hoping for is of course a different matter. Black people are calling for white people to fight for them, how is alienating white people going to achieve that?

The term "privilege" in any discussion is unhelpful in my view, whether you're talking about white privilege, male privilege, straight privilege, able bodied privilege. No matter the context I think it immediately causes barriers to go up. Persist in using it if you want. I'm not telling you what terms to use. Personally, I think it harm's more than helps the discussion.

I wonder how receptive a black man would be to me if I insisted that he had male privilege and therefore has to use that privilege to fight for me, as a woman? Can't see the term "privilege" helping my argument at all, can you?

I don’t know how more plainly I can say this: I don’t give a shit that some white people find the term “white privilege” off-putting.

If you find it off-putting then I think you are a racist.

If you refuse to listen to black people unless black people modify their language to best suit you and your comfort level, I think you are a racist.

If you put your own comfort level above black lives, I think you are a racist.

It’s not my job to engage with racists. And Lydia you’ve been massively racist throughout and clearly have a racist agenda and I don’t believe for a second that you are mixed. You can censor, downplay and attack me all you like.

My thought are not race centric - yours seem to be. Who is the racist.

This is literally a thread about racism. You’re actually calling a BAME woman racist for bringing race into a thread ABOUT RACISM.

Oh and “I don’t see race, anyone who does see race of racist GOTCHA!!” is a racist dog whistle and known racist detailing tactic.

And you’re the one who’s attempted, repeatedly, to bully block women into shutting up, tried to censor others, and demanded that debate stop. I’ve been very reasonable in trying to engage you in rational debate after your rude and condescending demand (now deleted) that black people stop using the word privilege.

@ChocolatelyAsFuck

I don’t know how more plainly I can say this: I don’t give a shit that some white people find the term “white privilege” off-putting.

If you find it off-putting then I think you are a racist.

If you refuse to listen to black people unless black people modify their language to best suit you and your comfort level, I think you are a racist.

If you put your own comfort level above black lives, I think you are a racist.

It’s not my job to engage with racists. And Lydia you’ve been massively racist throughout and clearly have a racist agenda and I don’t believe for a second that you are mixed. You can censor, downplay and attack me all you like.

Ok. Good luck.

I'm sure she has had her fair share of racism in life The speech wasn't about her personal experience she probably decided against using her own experience for fear of a backlash.

IMO the issue isn’t the use of the term “privilege” it’s the fragility that ensues. White fragility, male fragility are what really hamper any meaningful discussion into oppression.

"And you’re the one who’s attempted, repeatedly, to bully block women into shutting up, tried to censor others, and demanded that debate stop. "
No, I said I couldn't debate anymore. Once you call me a racist, there's really nowhere else to go with it. As I said, good luck with your approach.

I've definitely been examining my own reactions about race, and could definitely do better.

The term, 'white privilege,' immediately makes me defensive; that I grew up in racist Los Angeles and have been at the brunt end of the LAPD personally having done nothing wrong, but realise this is me trying to prove my non racist credentials.

Lydia, your didactic and condescending deleted post claiming that people who use the term “white privilege” get all their education from Instagram, comparing it to vapid pop culture phrases and the Kardashians, and flat out ordering everyone to stop using it, is what set off the entire debate in the first place.

I hadn’t even engaged with you at all on this thread until then, much less called you a racist.

@LydiaDusbyn yes because the hundreds of years before the phrase “white privilege” was created were just heaven for black people in white societies. You’re right, the righteous anger being expressed now in the face of continued murder and oppression by the state is the “wrong approach.” Maybe we should just skip back to the plantation and wait patiently for violent racists employed by the government to come to their own conclusions.

For those of you still struggling with the concept of white privilege:

debbyirving.com/i-dont-get-the-term-white-privilege-i-know-lots-of-white-people-who-dont-have-two-pennies-to-rub-together/

That’s because racial privilege and socioeconomic privilege are not the same thing. One can experience gender, religious, racial, disability, sexual orientation, class or other forms of discrimination. While each of these forms of discrimination negatively affect one group, they privilege another group. Privilege implies a lack of discrimination.

The word privilege threw me off at first because I’d long associated privilege with socioeconomic status. And though racial privilege, which I now think of as racial advantage, can contribute to class privilege, they are distinct.

Consider this:

• Though white people may experience disadvantage and hardship due to class, illness, disability, sexual orientation, religion, native language, gender, or age, they do not also experience racial disadvantage and hardship.

• A person of color who achieves upper-middle class socioeconomic status is still a person of color and therefore subject to the same bias and discrimination produced by racism. Being followed in stores, profiled by police, asked for identification, as well as receiving differential treatment in lending, educational, employment, and healthcare settings does not disappear with class status.

• I can simultaneously experience ability privilege and sexual orientation discrimination.

• A white person who is impoverished or working class can simultaneously experience racial privilege and class discrimination.

• A middle class Black or brown person can simultaneously experience class privilege and racial discrimination.
Each form of discrimination is characterized its own barriers, dynamics, and hardships. Each form of privilege you enjoy requires understanding what you do not experience firsthand.

HTH

I am not a fan of the royals as an establishment but I do quite like Meghan and Harry. Meghan is an articulate and intelligent woman and used her platform well. Good on her is what I say.