You're white you haven't experienced racism 2 *title amended by MNHQ at OP's request*

[PatricksRum]

I started a thread in the early hours.

I fell asleep
I've checked the thread and it's full.

Whilst the thread sadly proves my OP, there were a lot of great posts and understanding by some MNers.

I think this discussion is so important and I'd like to continue.

These photos sum up the ridiculous responses.

Do not tell me I am doing my oppressed race a disservice
Your racial prejudice faced as a white person do not trump the daily racism and fear for our lives

Finally, if your response to this is to explain your tiny grievances of racial prejudices you've faced then you are wholly part of the problem.

The racist behaviours and thoughts by your people is the problem. It is your duty to understand and tackle it. I repeat, it is not the duty of black people to educate you.

YOU don't get to tell posters what the thread is about and what they can post!

😂😂😂😂😂 how can I not tell a poster what my own thread is about? I'm so confused.

RIP George Floyd.

@Dreep
So this wasn’t at all aggressive?

Read what you're responding to. I said I'd been aggressive.

And I repeat, anything to say about George Floyd? Anything to say about systemic racism? Anything at all?

I've stated my views on it multiple times throughout the thread. What happened to George Floyd was horrific. How any of those men could be involved I cannot understand. I think all of them should be charged with murder because they are all equally guilty in my eyes.

Systemic racism should have no place in 2020. Protection should be in place so that everyone feels able to speak out about it and report it. Government needs to address it and ensure that it is removed from every institution and business. The fact that too many of the people who hold power are white, middle class men makes this a much more difficult task. That's not to say that none of them want to change things because I believe that they do. I'm just not sure that people who haven't experienced it can fully understand what needs to be changed. That's where I really think that BAME people need to engage, with assistance to do so, including affirmative action of that's what is necessary. I know op says it's not her job to fight racism but I don't agree that you can get the results you want if you aren't represented in the process.

I have a disability. I am frequently asked by people, my drs, my employer, service providers, what I need, how my disability affects me, what they can do - is it of any benefit to me to tell them that its not up to me to educate them or that it's not my responsibility to fight for my rights or for change?

Op can disagree if she wants but I truly believe that you need to be the change you want to see and there are plenty of examples of that. Stephen Lawrence's mum is a prime example.

If the questions above does not apply to you, think again? We all live by it. If you don't then you are part of the problem or you are already doing them unknowingly. Any human being who needs to solve a problem has to ask why?
Those are the few I could think about why typing on my phone at 1pm in the morning

1am

I have a disability. I am frequently asked by people, my drs, my employer, service providers, what I need, how my disability affects me, what they can do - is it of any benefit to me to tell them that its not up to me to educate them or that it's not my responsibility to fight for my rights or for change?

Let me get this straight. Pp asked you about your thoughts on George and you respond by making it about you? Unbelievable

OP

You don't control the thread. Or what people choose to post.

You can absolutely make the points you want.

So can other posters.

Posters brought up other topics like sexism, disabilism to underpin their arguments, in response / teasing out yours. Yes, you can reject & challenge these, of course. But you mock, use belittling language and lace your replies with laughing emojis - why?

I agree @peppapots

It's dreadful. I wonder at MNHQ thought process too.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

A victim walks into a police station and says "ive just been raped" and the officer responds with
"that was wrong. I remember when I was raped. It was in London. What happened was, I went to a club with my two beat friends, Sophie and Alice..."
It ISN'T ABOUT YOU.

And I repeat, anything to say about George Floyd? Anything to say about systemic racism? Anything at all?

And I repeat - does OP? As I've seen very little from her on this (& I really would like to), just ranting, nastiness and intentionally causing hurt (not to me, other posters)

You don't control the thread. Or what people choose to post.
Didn't say I did. I stated what the thread was about.*

You can absolutely make the points you want.

So can other posters.*
Clearly.*

Posters brought up other topics like sexism, disabilism to underpin their arguments, in response / teasing out yours. Yes, you can reject & challenge these, of course. But you mock, use belittling language and lace your replies with laughing emojis - why?*
No. I dismissed it and said it's not relevant. Again I'm a woman and disabled. I've been subject to sexism and disablism. The thread isn't about it so I will dismiss it.

Hurtful? Perhaps. I'm responsible for what I say not for how you react to it.

Can you not appreciate what you are saying? If you think that it doesn't matter what you say to someone, because you reckon you aren't responsible for how your words land, then why on earth shouldn't other people do the same to you? If you don't respect others then you can't expect respect in return can you? And vice versa of course.

And I repeat - does OP? As I've seen very little from her on this (& I really would like to), just ranting, nastiness and intentionally causing hurt (not to me, other posters)

I'm not the one detailing a thread with other topics. Pp asked your opinion on George as the thread is about racism. I've stated how I feel about racism. Many a time.

EarringsandLipstick you're fighting the wrong fight

What do you mean? I'm not fighting a fight.

I'm appalled about the events in the US, like all right-thinking people. I also am aware of what I don't know, and need to know more about, in relation to race.

I'd be keen to read more here, as I have elsewhere.

I'm calling the OP out on her aggression, needlessly, to other people.

Can you not appreciate what you are saying? If you think that it doesn't matter what you say to someone, because you reckon you aren't responsible for how your words land, then why on earth shouldn't other people do the same to you? If you don't respect others then you can't expect respect in return can you? And vice versa of course.

Didn't say it doesn't matter what I say to someone. Hence I've not responded with personal insults, name calling etc on this thread despite being subject to it.
I'm not asking you to respect me. I want people to listen and act.

creativecringe

You posted a list of things including, but not limited to, working in HR (I don't), looking at CV s (I don't), investigating issues at work (I don't), watching Netflix (I don't) and many others that were very specific to jobs or lifestyle choices - watching films, TV etc.

If I don't engage in any of those, or if my job doesn't involve any of those, how does that make me part of the problem?.Do I need to subscribe to Netflix to not be part of the problem?

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

*I've stated my views on it multiple times throughout the thread. What happened to George Floyd was horrific. How any of those men could be involved I cannot understand. I think all of them should be charged with murder because they are all equally guilty in my eyes.

Systemic racism should have no place in 2020. Protection should be in place so that everyone feels able to speak out about it and report it. Government needs to address it and ensure that it is removed from every institution and business. The fact that too many of the people who hold power are white, middle class men makes this a much more difficult task.*

This is all you needed to say. Thank you for sharing. The issue with the next part is you become prescriptive about what black people should be doing. It is not your role to decide that. Rather you should be thinking of what you can do. And don't ask black people what you should be doing. Work it out for yourself by reading and further educating yourself. Your heart is in the right place I believe but you have a blind spot that has made you think there is an easy fix that if only black people just did everything would be okay. This is shifting blame and responsibility. I also noticed you frequently told OP what she should be doing but were offended when she did the same back. This is symptomatic of 'black=inferior' underlying beliefs that you're unconscious of. That's sadly normal but shows there is still work to be done in your mind.

I'd highly recommend this article amp.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/16/white-fragility-racism-interview-robin-diangelo

@NotNowPlzz this is my post you have responded to. I've already responded to someone re this post and Ireland. I said yes, it does apply, and there are no words to explain the horror. If you have been through it as Irish then you know how horrific it is and thus would feel enormous empathy for black people right now. Can you please comment on George Floyd?

sorry for not attributing the post to you but the title of this debate is 'You're white you haven't experienced racism'; the OP does not agree and is fairly short in anyone's attempt at debate. To gather bees make honey and all that.

So George Floyd and not doubt someone will have an issue: A man horrifically murdered by prejudice/racism and feeling that the person beneath his knee is less than his own worth; same as been shot and killed because you were a rat, vermin, thick, uneducated and a problem for those in power or could not believe a life’s worth beyond their own… killed like a fucking dog, no ramifications, no way to fight it, no law cared, forever in a hole, no-one paid the price, only those left behind.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras creativecringe's post has a lot more questions than that and you know it does. You're being purposefully obtuse.

@EarringsandLipstick OP is not aggressive. Black women are called that any time they show any emotion that is not a smile. I do not find her aggressive in the slightest. I find you aggressive though. Its actually very difficult to read your replies as they feel like a punch in the gut.

Didn't say it doesn't matter what I say to someone.

Yes you did. You said that it's not your fault if people choose to be hurt by what you say.

I'm not asking you to respect me. I want people to listen and act.

Yeah, I'm choosing to not listen to you, thanks.

Everyone lives their own life and depending on where that life is, you cannot have blanket statements that @PatricksRum is making and you cannot disregard anyone. We only all have a personal perspective.