Your white privilege doesn’t just simply go away by not acting racist. People are so quick to prove they’re not racist because of how “bad” that is, yet they completely ignore or disregard systemic racism in our country and government. The white privilege one holds is evident immediately with the ability to say Canada has no systemic racism. It is there, you just have the white privilege in not seeing it because you aren’t affected by it. People of colour face systemic racism in their daily lives. Becoming educated on one’s white privilege and systemic racism is key to having all people in our society work together to rid the discrimination and inequality in a country that is untruly known as being completely equal to all peoples, regardless of race.
When discussing white fragility, we can see people’s uncomfortableness to talk about race in our society. People often don’t want to believe that these aspects are so prevalent even in todays world. Ignoring the issue because it’s uncomfortable to talk about is not helping anyone so these uncomfortable conversations need to be had. For people of colour, there is no doubt about systemic racism in their society because it is very evident in their lives.
The “bad apple” theory shows racism as an individual thing. It claims that racism only exists in todays society because of a few bad people. This belief tries to reduce the strength that racism and racist tendencies actually hold on all aspects of our life.
Whiteness is a racial construct article – https://spon.ca/whiteness-is-a-racial-construct-its-time-to-take-it-apart/2016/10/11/
I enjoyed reading this! You made many very good and valid points throughout this discussion post. I agree when you stated that most white individuals get uncomfortable or become silent whenever race or racism problems in todays society. I find it ridiculous how when a white person will say “black people can be racist towards white people. Anyone who says this clearly does not have an idea to as exactly how much privilege they have and how intense and awful black history is. When you made the point of “Becoming educated on one’s white privilege and systemic racism is key to having all people in our society work together to rid the discrimination and inequality in a country” I strongly agreed with that. I as well believe that being educated on what exactly racism is what what it looks like could help not full end racism of course because that will take years, but it would definitely help many individuals live a much happier and safer life. My only question for you is do you think you have ever experienced any racism or have been treated unfairly as a white women?
Very good write up and it defiantly promotes conversation. In your statement of
“discrimination and inequality in a country that is untruly known as being completely equal to all peoples, regardless of race.” The thought came up. When will we know there is no longer systemic racism? What will that look like? I know of and I know many successful non white people that have surpassed there fellow white colleagues and are the top or in the top of there felid. From many perspectives everything that is being said about how the end of racism looks, has already happened. But from many other perspectives it is just as prominent as it was before. I do believe as well that being educated on the topic can be a key factor to making this country and hopefully the world a place of peace and equality.
You made a great point by saying “becoming educated on one’s white privilege and systematic racism is key.” In order to address the uncomfortableness you mentioned around race, we must educate. The only way people are going to combat systemic and individual racism is to be able to recognize that it is happening, and further be comfortable addressing it and having those difficult conversations. “Your white privilege doesn’t simply go away by not being racist” is so important to recognize! White privilege can be seen on an individual and systematic scale. Before taking this class, I recognized my white privilege in occasional situations, but I now recognize it in day to day life. Have you experienced this change or were you more aware of your white privilege before taking this class?
Great write up full of strong points! I agree with the thought that many are quick to want to prove they’re not racist individually while ignoring the much larger problem of systematic racism as a whole. It’s important for each person to be concerned and aware of racism within themselves, but it’s also crucial for them to look and ensure others are not racist as well. In regards to your quote “white privilege doesn’t simply go away by not being racist” I wonder do you feel white privilege should be something that goes away? Do you feel it can be helpful when used in the right context or is it ultimately harmful? I enjoyed your very strong point brought up about ignoring uncomfortable topics. I agree that in the end all that does is harm the individuals involved even further. The saying “Ignorance is bliss” is misleading because it is only bliss for those unaffected, not for everyone as it implies. The only way to achieve bliss for those involved and who fall victim to racism is as you said, to have the conversations that need to be had.