Sorority suspended for "Indian Party."

[shinerbock]

You know, when white people stop getting so defensive over other people getting somewhat offended, the people getting offended won't wield nearly as much power.

Also, sub in any other race for white, but I think we're the worst about this stuff. "Really, they dressed up like Indians?! Well, I'm certainly not a racist like them, so kick them all off campus (this will show I'm not one of those racists, right?)."

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

You know, when white people stop getting so defensive over other people getting somewhat offended, the people getting offended won't wield nearly as much power.

Example #1356409870 (and counting) of white people thinking they hold the key to all that is powerful and therefore are LOANING nonwhites power.

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Also, sub in any other race for white, but I think we're the worst about this stuff. "Really, they dressed up like Indians?! Well, I'm certainly not a racist like them, so kick them all off campus (this will show I'm not one of those racists, right?)."

Nah, don't sub because you called it accurately but for more reasons than you know. You probably didn't intend for your words to be interpreted a certain way...but...hey.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Example #1356409870 (and counting) of white people thinking they hold the key to all that is powerful and therefore are LOANING nonwhites power.




Nah, don't sub because you called it accurately but for more reasons than you know.

Yes, I'm simply perpetuating the hierarchy. (vomits)

White people loan power to charges of racism because they're fearful of it. Anybody can use it, including whites.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Yes, I'm simply perpetuating the hierarchy. (vomits)

White people loan power to charges of racism because they're fearful of it. Anybody can use it, including whites.

Sure, power comes in all forms and can be used in different ways. We give people power all the time when we allow them to make us upset, paranoid, etc.

However, at a more aggregate and structural level, your post is equivalent to the phrase "race card" and the tendency for whites to be the only ones who can discuss race without being accused of "playing the race card." Ya know, because whites are so rational and objective whereas nonwhites are irrational and emotional about stuff. If whites don't let nonwhites "see them sweat" then those annoying nonwhites will stop being so consumed with race and go find a ball of yarn to play with--or something else to keep their race obsessed nonwhite selves occupied.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Sure, power comes in all forms and can be used in different ways. We give people power all the time when we allow them to make us upset, paranoid, etc.

However, at a more aggregate and structural level, your post is equivalent to the phrase "race card" and the tendency for whites to be the only ones who can discuss race without being accused of "playing the race card." Ya know, because whites are so rational and objective whereas nonwhites are irrational and emotional about stuff. If whites don't let nonwhites "see them sweat" then those annoying nonwhites will stop being so consumed with race and go find a ball of yarn to play with--or something else to keep their race obsessed nonwhite selves occupied.

I can't say I see it clearly. Feel free to make the connections for me.

The focus of my perspective isn't that we should strive to remove the power of minorities with the hope of removing their obsession with race. It is impossible to separate empowerment and the results of removing power in this context, but the desired result here is to end the white community's overreaction. The ultimate goal is not to disempower minorities, though that would be a likely result at some level.

Perhaps you'll say they're inseparable, but I'm not certain they are. I don't want to insulate the white community from the complaints of the irrational nonwhite community. I want the white community to think for themselves, and not merely enhance every complaint about race.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I can't say I see it clearly. Feel free to make the connections for me.

It is impossible to separate empowerment and the results of removing power in this context, but the desired result here is to end the white community's overreaction. The ultimate goal is not to disempower minorities, though that would be a likely result at some level.

No offense, but this is doubletalk. You just said "You know, when white people stop getting so defensive over other people getting somewhat offended, the people getting offended won't wield nearly as much power"and "White people loan power to charges of racism because they're fearful of it."

There is no distinguishing power from empowerment in this context if whites feel that they are "loaning power" and can buffer the effects if they "weren't so fearful." Mind you, beyond wanting to believe they are good people and free of prejudices, most whites aren't really fearful. But the "harmless yet terrified white people" approach is nothing new in this country, either. Nonwhites and whites who speak out against inequality generally aren't doing it because they need a hobby. They are generally doing it with hope for change, which is difficult if those in the majority of decision making power positions in this society (whites) take the approach that you're advocating.

Originally Posted by shinerbock

...The focus of my perspective isn't that we should strive to remove the power of minorities with the hope of removing their obsession with race......

Perhaps you'll say they're inseparable, but I'm not certain they are. I don't want to insulate the white community from the complaints of the irrational nonwhite community. I want the white community to think for themselves, and not merely enhance every complaint about race.

I hope you're being as sarcastic as I was and referencing the commonly held misconception rather than the reality.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

No offense, but this is doubletalk. You just said "You know, when white people stop getting so defensive over other people getting somewhat offended, the people getting offended won't wield nearly as much power"and "White people loan power to charges of racism because they're fearful of it."

There is no distinguishing power from empowerment in this context if whites feel that they are "loaning power" and can buffer the effects if they "weren't so fearful." Mind you, beyond wanting to believe they are good people and free of prejudices, most whites aren't really fearful. But the "harmless yet terrified white people" approach is nothing new in this country, either. Nonwhites and whites who speak out against inequality generally aren't doing it because they need a hobby. They are generally doing it with hope for change, which is difficult if those in the majority of decision making power positions in this society (whites) take the approach that you're advocating.



I hope you're being as sarcastic as I was and referencing the commonly held misconception rather than the reality.

Yeah it kind of is misleading. I think white people allow stigma to attach to charges of racism because we're so petrified of it. If you cut out the stigma, meaning if white people don't automatically start pointing the finger at each other when charges of racism arise, it is going to disempower people who uses those charges to their advantage, regardless of their race. Does this mean the power is on "loan" from the white community? Sure, partially. When we allow other people to control our actions, which is what I think we do at times, then we're empowering some other group. If we begin drawing our own conclusions and don't immediately start "eating our own" as soon as such charges arise, then we'll be taking some of that power back. That doesn't mean white people possess and distribute all power, but the reactions of the majority of this country (white people) certainly constitute a large reserve of power in this context.

But this aside, the goal, in my mind, is to empower white people to make decisions on their own. It isn't to disempower minority groups, though that will be the effect. I would just prefer that white people act as a better screen in determining what issues WE are going to care about.

I was simply speaking in your terms. I don't most think minorities are race-obsessed or irrational, though some certainly are. Whites too.