Racism against white people...does it exist?

*sigh* As a "white bitch", I gotta say, yeah, there's definitely racism against white people.
 
There s certainly racism against white people, and people of any other race.

It should also be noted that that racism is particularly pernicious within races, more so than between them. We are held down by our peers much more than by strangers or even authority figures.
 
It depends how you "calculate" racism. In the European Human Rights Commission, you have two obligations for each member state that they have to fulfill in the basic human rights area: passive and active obligations. Passive obligations apply to the government; they are not allowed to pass laws that are, for example, racist or discriminatory. Active obligations apply to the governments interaction with civilian life, an example could be protecting a muslim protest against the war in Afghanistan; they have to make sure that pro-war activists won't hurt them or disturb their protest.

I believe that minorities in general are subjected to a serious form of passive actions from governments all over the world, and white people racism comes from the active actions: people, not governments. White people are priviledged if we feel discriminated on our race, because minorities criticise us on our nature given advantage in society.
 
Disclaimer: I know this is a sensitive topic/issue. Feel free to disagree. Just another perspective.

Well, depends on how you define racism. Racism is usually associated with a hatred for a particular racial or ethnic group or groups who are considered inferior. As a result, I would question if you can use the word "racism" to describe prejudice towards all groups. Yes, someone may be prejudiced towards someone who is white or maybe be prejudiced or discriminatory towards segments of the population who are white because of particular features or characteristics. But to say racism is the same for all races is questionable. Chances are, prejudice against someone who is black is not the same as prejudice against someone who is white. Someone who is "racist" against someone who is white, as a stereotypical example may feel this way because of the advantage that particular racial group has experienced over a period of time, especially at the expense of other groups. This doesn't mean it's ok to hold any or every person who is white for the sins of previous generations of people.

Feeling resentment or distrustful of a racial group when that group, in a particular society has been treated better or treated as superior in intellect, status, financially, etc. is different from racism against a group because society feels that that group is inferior and deserves minimal treatment because of their skin color or because of their "primitive and uncivilized" ethnic and cultural differences - which is the basis of slavery and racism towards blacks. There are inequities in our society, and as much as we would like to think that there is still no racism, that's not exactly true.

Someone may work extremely hard, and deserve what they have, but still have an advantage compared to someone who is black or Hispanic. That is still a fact or reality that needs to be acknowledged. Simply because someone is not racist, doesn't mean they are not benefitting from racial privilege. But this doesn't justify prejudice against someone who is white. Rather, it means we need to have more equal opportunities available to all racial and ethnic groups, or have more color blind policies. Ideally, everyone should be judged on individual merit, but that's not always the case.

Here's a topic which offers a analogy. If someone is attractive or beautiful, they are more likely to be treated better and given more opportunities than someone who is not as attractive. And many people may resent or hate someone for being beautiful or attractive, assuming that this person believes they deserve better because of their attractiveness. I'd venture to say, right or wrong, the person who dislikes or hates someone because of their attractiveness is probably "hatin'" because they think the person believes they are more deserving of that better treatment. However, that may not be true.

To link this example to race. Someone maybe prejudicial against someone who is white, because they may think that this person assumes they deserve more or better because of that racial advantage. But that may not be the case. And of course it would be unfair to hate or resent that person since they have not done anything to you personally and are not the direct cause of any disadvantage you may have. Thing is, racism is a systematic problem, it's not something that just resides in one person. It's based on underlying beliefs or assumptions about people's innate values or worth, and what someone is entitled to because of their race. But if that person does believe they are better because of their race, and discriminates against someone because they believe they deserve more and should be treated better, then it is an issue (since it's an attempt to justify racial inequality), then that person or group towards whom they are racist, has a right to be angry or upset. But this doesn't mean that the group taking offense is racist, unless they decide to mistreat someone or anyone belonging to that group because of the assumed racism of everyone belonging to that group. So, to call all prejudice or discrimination against any racial group racism may not be fitting.

So, we should define racism first before we say someone is racist.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top