Everyone's A Racist?

[logansrogue]

Was reading that little argument here. I've heard that one a lot from people who are accused of being racist.

Now, I have a really hard time with that argument. Cause I honestly don't think I'm racist. I'm definitely ignorant of some cultures, but I'm very eager to learn about other people's ways of doing things, I find it all very enriching and wonderful. I may have certain prejudices, but they're most certainly not based on race.

So what do you think about that argument? I'd like to know.

Comments

[strangedave.livejournal.com]

The power + predjudice = racism isn't my own invention- it is a, if not the standard academic definition.
But my point is that the academic definition isn't intended to supercede the idea of racism as racial discrimination, but to explicate its subtler effects, and make clear some of its mechanisms. To quote one of the standard academic (sociological) definitions "Racist systems include, but cannot be reduced to, racial bigotry," -- simple racial bigotry remains racism, however, the academics are just pointing out that if race wasn't part of a system of power and privilege, then racial bigotry would make no sense. And racism might underly the system, but it isn't necessary that you enjoy power and privilege to be racist (blacks who hate jews and jews who hate blacks are both still racist).

And in any case, saying that someone benefits from racism, or is part of a racist society, isn't the same as saying that someone is racist. Its a misuse of the argument, IMO. Academic definitions, if nothing else, are about precision of meaning.

Being white in Australian
You said 'all white people' not 'all Australian white people' for a start. The Irish in the UK are just one example of a group that has experienced comparable racism (Johhny Rottens autobiography, for example, was titled 'No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish' after the signs on boarding houses). I have had Irish friends tell me they never felt like part of the dominant racial group due to constant discrimination as children.

Another example is Ashkenazi jews.

Enjoying some privilege =/= racist. And being white isn't a guarantee of enjoying an immunity to racism.

even if you are a poor white Australian you still have advantages over a poor aboriginal Australian
In general, yes, aboriginal Australia is in a shocking state. But 'not being in grinding poverty' isn't the same as 'racist'. If you are a poor Vietnamese Australian, chances are you are a lot better off as well.

And, FWIW, anecdotal evidence of abuse of any ethnic group proves nothing. I've heard plenty of racial abuse of white people too, and been the recipient of some for that matter. And it remains racism, even when addressed from the less privileged to the more.

[nephron.livejournal.com]

Prejudice between two or more oppressed groups is a difficult case, and one I'm not remotely equipped to argue- there are blogs that have spent some time discussing this, I'll point you to them if you want.

And in any case, saying that someone benefits from racism, or is part of a racist society, isn't the same as saying that someone is racist. Its a misuse of the argument, IMO. Academic definitions, if nothing else, are about precision of meaning.

No, it's not neccessarily the same thing, although again, there is a lot of discussion about this topic. However, I would argue that all white Australians have a degree of internalised prejudice against, say, aboriginal Australians- no matter how much they try to fix it. White Australians are also complicit in the oppression of other people, because we let it continue.

You said 'all white people' not 'all Australian white people' for a start.
I suspect it is true of all white people in Western countries, if not elsewhere. I am less able to speak about the experiences in countries other than Australia.

The Irish in the UK are just one example of a group that has experienced comparable racism
Do you think Irish people in the UK continue to suffer the same prejudice that UK-born black people do?

In general, yes, aboriginal Australia is in a shocking state. But 'not being in grinding poverty' isn't the same as 'racist'.
Well, yes and no- the systems that keep aboriginal Australians in poverty are partly based in racism, though I know there are many, many other factors involved. Shift it to two minimum-wage workers though, one white and one aboriginal, and the aboriginal person is still at a disadvantage.

If you are a poor Vietnamese Australian, chances are you are a lot better off as well.
Yup. The stereotypes and particular flavour of prejudice aimed at different ethnic groups, as well as all of the larger dysfunctional systems, will change different ethnic groups' situations.

And, FWIW, anecdotal evidence of abuse of any ethnic group proves nothing.
It is an anecdote to illustrate the issue. I have never once heard nurses attribute what a white doctor did to their race, but I have heard it about doctors (and nurses, and domestics, and so on) from other ethnicities many many times. Have you not noticed that pattern?