The white nationalist version of The Olsen Twins?

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Somebody brought this up in a government class in high school. She said that it was unfair the way celebarting your heritage has such a double standard. There could be BSUs at every school, but if there was ever a White Student Union, then they'd be called KKKs and run out of town. Even as people were rolling their eyes, I could see she had a point, but this....

She doesn't have a point. Cultural pride develops out of something significant that a people has experienced. Whites may have had that during times like the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, but where do you see it today?

Cultural pride can also be artificially created through fanaticism (e.g. KKK).

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

She doesn't have a point. Cultural pride develops out of something significant that a people has experienced. Whites may have had that during times like the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, but where do you see it today?

Cultural pride can also be artificially created through fanaticism (e.g. KKK).

Cultural pride I don't have a problem with - but "white" is NOT a culture, and the creation of white as a culture is, by definition, extremely virulent racism. That's history, and I don't know why it isn't standard HS curriculum. Sad.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

Cultural pride I don't have a problem with - but "white" is NOT a culture, and the creation of white as a culture is, by definition, extremely virulent racism. That's history, and I don't know why it isn't standard HS curriculum. Sad.

Agreed. And I believe the girl christiangirl was referring to did not understand the distinction. There ARE European Student Associations, Irish/Gaelic Student Associations, Slavic Student Associations, etc. Heck, there's even Daughters of the American Revolution and United Daughters of the Confederacy. But, I daresay, these groups are not limited to whites.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

... the creation of white as a culture is, by definition, extremely virulent racism.

If you don't mind my asking, how? I think I know what you mean (and agree with you to an extent), but I want you to describe it in the way you mean it, so I don't end up putting words in your cyber-mouth later.

[DSTRen13]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

If you don't mind my asking, how? I think I know what you mean (and agree with you to an extent), but I want you to describe it in the way you mean it, so I don't end up putting words in your cyber-mouth later.

The whole concept of "whiteness" is racist, really - historically, you can trace how it's used, always in opposition to whatever lower class "other" is being trampled on at the time. Once a group becomes more accepted by the mainstream, then somehow they get brought into the "white" label (the Irish, the Italians, the Jews, the Eastern Europeans). "Whiteness" inherently implies "white" versus "not white". To try to create a culture around that is sick and twisted, and a relatively recent historical phenomenon (the past 150 years or so, depending on your analysis). All of that history leads to our idea of "white" and race in general today - even when people use these concepts and don't know where they come from, you still can't separate it from that history.

[aideclaire]

It is a sad day in America when these types of things exist in the mind of mere children...


Makes you wanna "pimp slap" the parents for subjecting their children to such ignorance...why I tell you, why?!@?!

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Was that a general statement or are you actually implying that I don't know my own history?

It was a general statement made toward "your friend" who made those stupid comments as clearly explained below:

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

Cultural pride I don't have a problem with - but "white" is NOT a culture, and the creation of white as a culture is, by definition, extremely virulent racism. That's history, and I don't know why it isn't standard HS curriculum. Sad.

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

The whole concept of "whiteness" is racist, really - historically, you can trace how it's used, always in opposition to whatever lower class "other" is being trampled on at the time. Once a group becomes more accepted by the mainstream, then somehow they get brought into the "white" label (the Irish, the Italians, the Jews, the Eastern Europeans). "Whiteness" inherently implies "white" versus "not white". To try to create a culture around that is sick and twisted, and a relatively recent historical phenomenon (the past 150 years or so, depending on your analysis). All of that history leads to our idea of "white" and race in general today - even when people use these concepts and don't know where they come from, you still can't separate it from that history.

But you and I know that the ignorant spin doctors will twist this "how come 'BLACK' people" have a "culture". While I agree with your statements, this issue does come down to just black and white and the colloquial terms people enjoy to throw around so randomly.

And you know folks who lack confidence as to who they are and their stances have fundamental issues in making this argument. The heinousness of these distinctions I feel are antiquated now. Somewhat of an old insignificant and irrelevant tripe when the true, modern, realistic issues are overlooked.

Originally Posted by aideclaire

It is a sad day in America when these types of things exist in the mind of mere children...

Makes you wanna "pimp slap" the parents for subjecting their children to such ignorance... why I tell you, why?!@?!

I was thinking the same thing about the incident christiangirl described.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by DSTRen13

The whole concept of "whiteness" is racist, really - historically, you can trace how it's used, always in opposition to whatever lower class "other" is being trampled on at the time. Once a group becomes more accepted by the mainstream, then somehow they get brought into the "white" label (the Irish, the Italians, the Jews, the Eastern Europeans). "Whiteness" inherently implies "white" versus "not white". To try to create a culture around that is sick and twisted, and a relatively recent historical phenomenon (the past 150 years or so, depending on your analysis). All of that history leads to our idea of "white" and race in general today - even when people use these concepts and don't know where they come from, you still can't separate it from that history.

Thanks. I didn't say it in so many words, but same page.

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

It was a general statement made toward "your friend" who made those stupid comments as clearly explained below...

Gotcha

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

She doesn't have a point. Cultural pride develops out of something significant that a people has experienced. Whites may have had that during times like the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, but where do you see it today?

Cultural pride can also be artificially created through fanaticism (e.g. KKK).

The subprime meltdown. It was horrible.