To wonder why it's so controversial to talk about white behaviour throughout history?

[BeachParty]

It's an interesting discussion to have, and makes you think.
Why do so many immediately go into "how dare you!" mode or "why are you being racist towards white people?!"
Instead of actually listening to what people are saying? History is whitewashed in this country, we usually learn it from a "hero" viewpoint.

Can I ask why you thought an interesting discussion would follow from such a closed, simplistic question? 'Oppressing' people is not inherently 'white behaviour' It seems you don't know much history and have never heard of other factors such as class.

Race baiting troll

Jeez, white people can be so touchy...

I'm white British. My forebears are white British. We've barely found anyone in our family tree who wasn't a farm hand, factory worker or in service. We're weren't economically privileged, but we weren't enslaved.

It's pretty obvious what white behaviour the OP is talking about: European colonialism and the TransAtlantic slave trade.

And it's pretty obvious to anyone who reads the history of that trade how it differs from other periods of slavery in its numbers, in its industrialisation, in its impact.

Most specifically, it's the ongoing impact which stems from the ideology of racism that justified the trade. The despoiling of Africa, the enrichment of the slave nations, the continuing racial inequalities in the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe.

I think your friend means people of all colours are racist.... she's not insinuating that every person walking the earth is racist. That's my take on it anyway and I'm actually inclined to agree with her and good for her, for seeing it.

I think there's possibly some unconscious bias when it comes to employment tbh, I'm not sure it can be overcome though because if one day it's white people in smaller numbers, the unconscious bias will still be there, but the other way around.

I also think because of the lack of opportunity created by this unconscious bias, black people are targeted more when suspected of crime. No-one should be stopped by the police for nothing more than being black. This is something I think we can and should tackle.

The prejudice exists yes but it's shown right back and openly to. We're all tarred with the same brush for being "white"

Ok, thanks for the link.
Just had a look
That doesn't change the fact that Humanities and History were two totally different subjects for me when I was taking my options aged 13?
In England?

🙄 No
Just interested in the discussion. If you're not, why engage?

Yet another disgusting racist thread on Mumsnet.

In answer your question op - for the same reason it would be controversial to talk about black behaviour through history.

Yet another disgusting racist thread on Mumsnet

Not intending to be racist at all
If you don't like the thread, why engage?

I'd like to hear your opinion. The Empire was huge and went on for a long time.Which parts should it be compulsory to study that aren't already covered?

Nope nothing to do with colour at all, it's size and impact were because it was started by people in power or who has access to power, who also had the means and money to enslave people in large numbers.

The colour of the people's skin was just what they the rich evil colonialists used as an excuse to justify it to the rest of the nation.

They were opportunistic greedy people who happened to be white, larger in number and more powerful, they took advantage of that and used the differences in the people enslaved as an excuse.

You don't think other people did that?
Mansa Musa, for example, an Emporer of Mali, took 12000 of his slaves with him on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The rest had to stay behind.
He was neither English, nor white.

@ASongOfRiceAndPeas
well said
now it’s more covert but still the same

I'd like to hear your opinion

So why not read the thread?

The Empire was huge and went on for a long time.Which parts should it be compulsory to study that aren't already covered?

I've already said. I think it should be studied from both viewpoints (from both the oppressors and the oppressed side)
If it is indeed starting to do that more now then that's a good thing.

Actually from what you describe there’s a very high chance your ancestors had been slaves. Plenty of white slavery in Britain.

What's that got to do with you describing enslavement as Britain being "more successful" it's disgusting. BTW two wrongs do not make a right...

I have read the thread, many of your posts made little sense to me.

I believe the Empire is taught giving both perspectives. I'd be shocked to hear that the slave trade for example, was being taught as something positive.

You have said that we should learn more, I agree, what do you think could be added to the syllabus?

OP can you find a culture that hasn’t been a perpetrator of slavery? That might be a more interesting exercise

It's worth remembering that in the past many people followed the teachings of the Bible, which legitimises and encourages slavery.

Have white English people been enslaved, their country taken over?
That's more relevant a question to my OP

Yes, by Romans, Vikings, and Normans.

Omg yes! I’m embarrassed for your ignorance!! 😂😂🤣

Is that our fault?? Why should we take responsibility or apologise because it didn't happen to us?

Not being a victim doesn't make us perpetrators either.... or mean that people of other colors and nationalities who are actually guilty of it should be excused or excluded.

I’d stop there if I were you OP and maybe … pick up a book?

It wouldn't be relevant either way. It should be possible to discuss "white" history without resorting to "whataboutery".

Own Gooooaaallllll! 😂

Suggest you learn some history. So tell me again what is white behaviour?