Let me be crystal clear on this:

[perpetual_motion]

To those posting secrets on F!S about how white people can't give other white people advice for not being racist dickholes because no one in that conversation is a PoC:

Saying that one person's opinion is less valid than some other person's opinion based on the color of their skin makes you a racist.

I'm terribly sorry that my advice to people being racist dickholes is to not be racist dickholes. I'm sorry that I've apparently been doing it wrong because I had the audacity to think that treating people like human beings was a pretty okay way to get around. And I'm sorry that I did all these things while I was also white. Obviously, my white privilege made me unable to see how following the one commandment--don't be an asshole--would be so terribly offensive if I were offering it as advice to one white person as a white person.

So fucking sorry. I'll try to correct my terrible, terrible ways. Let me start right now:

If you think someone's opinion is invalidated by the color of their skin, you're a fucking racist.

Comments

[lovefromgirl.livejournal.com]

O.o

You're doing, um, exactly what the sane anti-racists are asking: being an ally and doing some educating so the actual PoC aren't inundated with "OMG my white guilt let me show you it".

"Don't be an asshole" is perfect advice, and f!s has always had a bit of a stick up its -- nose. Yes.

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

That stick is the exact reason I didn't comment at f!s itself. I've learned my lesson there. People who post anon don't want a discussion; they want drama.

[leaper182.livejournal.com]

D:

Racism is not cool, Internets. Not cool.

*hug*

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

It's the double-standard that hits me hardest. I'm supposed to not be a dickhole, but then I'm told that my not being a dickhole doesn't count as much because of the color of my skin.

::throws up hands::

The hell.

[leaper182.livejournal.com]

:(

*hug*

I find it amusing whenever people assume I'm white, and I'm actually Hispanic.

Well, amusing, or just aggravating, depending on the situation. :(

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

Do people ever ask? I've got a friend who's half Korean, half white, and he gets questions from people about "what he is". He makes them guess.

[leaper182.livejournal.com]

Nope. I look white, therefore I must be white. Or something. Bleh.

I think I get questions of "Are you married?" because my surname is hyphenated. "No, I'm not. I'm Hispanic. We hyphenate."

"Ohhh."

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

And then the awkward silence begins.

We've gotten a call or two from telemarketers wanting to speak to Mr. [my last name]. I've had to explain that while I am, in fact, married. I did not change my name. Because it's my damned name.

[fearciuil.livejournal.com]

Amen. Tell 'em, sister.

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

I do what I can.

[wildmachinery.livejournal.com]

ugh, thank you.

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

Have a cookie.

::cookies::

[cathedral-junki.livejournal.com]

fuck, i second that!! I was in a women's studies class where we read an article that said and i quote "anyone who practices racism in America--anyone who is white--" I was so angry i just couldn't see straight. I mean making a blanket statement about people based on their skin color is what racism is for crying out loud. I mean, I’m *sorry* that I was born white, but I didn't actually have any choice in the matter, you realize. Ugh. So good for you and your post.

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

It was blanket statements about many topics that kept me from pursuing women's studies at a university. A prof for a couple of the courses on my campus spoke at a meeting I attended, and she talked about how it was important to recognize that all men are potential rapists. When I raised my hand and asked if she thought that was harming women's attempts at equality, she actually told me that women would never be equal.

I boggled, left at intermission, and did not return.

[cathedral-junki.livejournal.com]

oh, no she didn't. Arhg. I only took the one fem class. It was enough to let me know that i need to no others. yuck. Its like, they all just see what they want to see. Men bad. Women good but opressed. Whites bad, people of color good. It was horrible.