Fascinating piece. I found myself getting a little angry at what I face. (Though this piece did not trigger it. Just reminded me.) As a Native American who looks white, I hear insults to my culture constantly. And I am supposed to think that is funny. I was called into Human Resources at work because I said I thought Columbus Day was a stupid holiday to be celebrating in the 21st century. Though the reason I said this is because he decimated our population (among other things), I was told I insulted Italians and Spanish people, which I did not. I find it interesting that they are cautious to be so P.C. but obviously never looked at my HR record to see how I identify myself (or did not care). And this is just one example. I honestly can not believe we have not moved beyond race as a term for judgment in our species. We are, all of us, human. Why do we keep maintaining and building more walls when we should be working together to fix other graver ills that haunt our species? Damned if I know the answer to that or how to fix it but I am listening and seeking a solution.
jasminsmith
· 1 year ago
Thank you so much for your comment Emma. I’m sorry that you had to endure that and I couldn’t agree with you more about Columbus Day!
It’s actually very fitting that you bring up Columbus because racism as we know it today actually arose from the colonial expansion of Columbus’ era. The real story about Columbus is that he was far more interested in GOLD than land. Through his capitalistic drive he enslaved Native Americans to mine the gold (and silver), in a system of terror with people dying from being over-work, from disease, torture, and mass-murder (and I can’t bear to repeat what they did with these peoples’ bodies). Within 50 years of this system Columbus initiated 99.9% of the Tianos population had perished – that’s genocide, not a reason for a national holiday so I applaud you Emma for standing up for what’s right.
The genocide of Native Americans spread rapidly throughout early America and soon new sources of slave labour were “needed.” Enter the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade of my ancestors... and well I guess that’s where the history books pick up the account. When human beings “of colour” were no longer considered people, but easily replaceable commodities for trade, modern racism was born.
Pavel
· 1 year ago
I can understand why people hate racism - it brought much suffering to many people throughout history.
But why make science a victim of politics?
Race can be easily observed and if some instances race of a person is unclear because of his looks, that doesn't go against the concept in general.
A niceassesment by forensic anthropologist and professor of anthropology George W. Gill:
[...] The 'reality of race' therefore depends more on the definition of reality than on the definition of race. If we choose to accept the system of racial taxonomy that physical anthropologists have traditionally established—major races: black, white, etc.—then one can classify human skeletons within it just as well as one can living humans. The bony traits of the nose, mouth, femur, and cranium are just as revealing to a good osteologist as skin color, hair form, nose form, and lips to the perceptive observer of living humanity. I have been able to prove to myself over the years, in actual legal cases, that I am more accurate at assessing race from skeletal remains than from looking at living people standing before me. So those of us in forensic anthropology know that the skeleton reflects race, whether 'real' or not, just as well if not better than superficial soft tissue does. The idea that race is 'only skin deep' is simply not true, as any experienced forensic anthropologist will affirm.
[...]
"Those who believe that the concept of race is valid do not discredit the notion of clines, however. Yet those with the clinal perspective who believe that races are not real do try to discredit the evidence of skeletal biology. Why this bias from the 'race denial' faction? This bias seems to stem largely from socio-political motivation and not science at all. For the time being at least, the people in 'race denial' are in 'reality denial' as well. Their motivation (a positive one) is that they have come to believe that the race concept is socially dangerous. In other words, they have convinced themselves that race promotes racism. Therefore, they have pushed the politically correct agenda that human races are not biologically real, no matter what the evidence."
The science of race may be trivial, but one cannot argue down the consequences of race that face visible minorities today.
That would be foolish.
Ben
· 1 year ago
Jasmin, have you read the paper 'Genetic Structure, Self-Identified Race/Ethnicity, and Confounding in Case-Control Association Studies' by Hua Tang,1 Tom Quertermous,2 Beatriz Rodriguez,4 Sharon L. R. Kardia,5 Xiaofeng Zhu,6 Andrew Brown,7 James S. Pankow,8 Michael A. Province,9 Steven C. Hunt,10 Eric Boerwinkle,11 Nicholas J. Schork,12 and Neil J. Risch3,13?
They found that people's self-identified race/ethnicity is a nearly perfect indicator of their genetic background.
James Serpell’s The Domestic Dog:
”Recently using genetic and biochemical methods researchers have shown domestic dogs to be virtually identical . . . to other members of the genus . . . Results using mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) data . . . reveal startling similarities among canids . . . Greater mtDNA differences appeared within the single breeds of Doberman Pinscher or poodle than between dogs and wolves . . . to keep things in perspective, it should be pointed out that there is less mtDNA difference between dogs, wolves, and coyotes, than there is between ethnic groups of human beings.” (pp. 32-33)”
gregorylent
· 1 year ago
first, it is global, not western. every culture. micro-tonal differences of brown, not a black or white in sight, behave this way too. second, brain research shows it is difference, not color, that people notice (costume trumps skin color). third, if there is really just one race, the human race, why write this article? because the article wants to emphasize difference. four, stupid people are everywhere. stupid is not racist, anybody can be it, and it underlies racism. being stupid is the problem, racism is just one of its expressions.
jasminsmith
· 1 year ago
It was implied but I guess not explicitly stated in the post that this particular issue of White Privilege/racism discussed applies mostly to the North American context, and I suppose also Britain, Australia, South Africa, and other "White" nations.
White Privilege hasn't always just been about the colour of ones skin, that's the CURRENT manifestation of the issue. 100 years ago (and even more recently) in Canada and the US the Irish, Italians, and Jewish people were all considered BLACK--they were racialized... yes, I did say Irish and as such they faced every bit of racism as people of colour. Today Jewish people particularly religious Jews are still racialized and face their unique from of racism: anti-Semitism.
And the post was indeed written to emphasize difference. Difference in treatment, not difference in "humaness."
gregorylent
· 1 year ago
ok, everybody everywhere treats people different from themselves differently. and your white privilege meme is true in every culture, on every continent, even within cultures where there are no "whites". differences are everywhere, differences in treatment are everywhere. ... what can be done about it?
and as an aside, any self-identity that is a subset of the whole is guaranteed to bring problems with it, because it needs an "other" in order to exist.
it is high time on this planet for all people to have only one self-identity, and that is "human".
jasminsmith
· 1 year ago
yes, it will be wonderful when race is not a factor again (it's a fairly recent social issue). but unless and until that happens people like myself will continue to speak out.
the post was intended for a North-American/Western context as is made obvious by the items in McIntosh's list of 50.
and of course there is much social stratification in countries throughout the world, but I'm not talking about the world in this particular post.
What can be done about it? It's my personal belief that it will take several more generations before the West heals from the effects of racism, and skin colour no longer matters. So in the mean time we can start with educating ourselves, our children and others about the issue. Acknowledge our own prejudices so we can rid ourselves of them and ensure that our prejudices never turn into acts of discrimination. Actively fight against racism by speaking out when we see it and correcting people who practice it -- right down to the level of stereotyping.
It's a start, but you can't change what you don't acknowledge so being "blind to race" adds to the problem, it's not a solution. Gradually the tide will turn and racism will be no more -- but I don't see that happening in my lifetime! Here's hoping for my great great great grandkids' kids!
Fred
· 1 year ago
Fuck you, nigger!
ChangeForge | Ken Stewart
· 1 year ago
I find it so sad that these types of discussions still have to be had. I agree with Gregory Lent: ignorance and stupidity prevail.
I must say that I do not offend easily, and while I'm sure some, or all, of these experiences may be personal to you, or the writer, I find this post a good bit slanted against "whites" and in point of fact racist in and of itself.
I find it hard to believe that being so educated, you would seek to use that education as a shield - and in this regards a club - in order to make such a broad - and reaching - over-generalization as to offend without thought of those "whites" who would have nor mean you no harm - nor have such privilege.
While you probably have been exposed to some of this behavior, and for that I am deeply saddened, I am torn between your belief in attempting to confront such ignorance and the simple fact that generalizations are some of the worst forms of bigotry.
jasminsmith
· 1 year ago
I think it's important to point out that list of 50 points of White Privilege are a personal list that PEggy McIntosh (a White American feminist) says she experiences in her own life. It's not meant to be a generalization that all White people experience White Privilege in the same manner she does... in fact, as a Black woman, I've experienced one or two of those points myself. It's not meant to generalize, but to get the discussion going.
Looking at McIntosh's list can help White people to acknowledge the benefits of not being racialized (not having a set of broadly applied negative stereotypes attached to you with no regard for your individual character--all based on the colour of your skin). By acknowledging White privilege, it can help these same people to begin understanding what we racialized people must deal with on a daily basis. I can take most of the items on her list, inverse them and that's my life and the lives of many others like me! That's the point.
And I agree that it is sad that these types of discussions still have to happen. And what my education has taught me is that generalizing is indeed dangerous and racial stereotyping is just that: generalizing. This piece is a social commentary against that process. White Privilege is a social fact in the Americas. No it does not effect all White people the same way, and no, not all White people are privy to it.
Issues of race are also intersected by socio-economic status, age, gender, education etc. to form a complete package a stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination that affect ALL people. This post focuses on race.
My education has also taught me why race continues to be such a salient issue in the West. There are many reasons, but the one that I feel is the most important to remember is that colonialism, slavery, and segregation are still RECENT history. Those scars will take several more generations to heal. That is why this issue is so important to discuss and acknowledge. Until we go back to living in a world where colour truly doesn't matter, courageous people will continue to fight against this injustice.
gregorylent
· 1 year ago
it's ok to go forward to living in a world where colour truly doesn't matter, and to do that courageous people will have to stop thinking in terms of colour.
jasminsmith
· 1 year ago
You can't change what you don't acknowledge so being "blind to race" adds to the problem, it's not a solution.
Sometimes I think people are so ignorant about there own prejudices. They'll say, "I'm not a racist, I have plenty of Black friends." and then without being conscious of it their blood pressure elevates and they get nervous if say, their alone in an elevator with a young Black man (for example).
It would be better in my humble opinion if we would just throw it all out there, be open and honest iwth ourselves about our prejudices so that we can actively work to get rid of them.
If there's an elephant in the room, closing your eyes doesn't make it disappear.
gregorylent
· 1 year ago
you have defined yourself in such a way that you need racism in order to be you. only you can change that.
ChangeForge | Ken Stewart
· 1 year ago
Well said, Gregory.
ChangeForge | Ken Stewart
· 1 year ago
I will always say I'm not racist... This does not mean I do not have prejudices. I'm not partial to mayonaise with peanut butter, I do not like eggplant parmesian, and I watch over my shoulder if i'm walking down a city street at 11:00 at night. These are all prejudices in some shape or form.
I am with you in regards to throwing your opinion out there. Let's get real, people, by all means!
However, it seems as if you brought the elephant with you this time, Jasmin.
ChangeForge | Ken Stewart
· 1 year ago
Jasmin, I would think all of us have experienced 1 or 2 of these in our life. I would not think that is at debate here. You however seem to indicate that "white" people and the "western" world should take note. It would be my observation the entire world experiences this issue.
Race is most commonly misrepresented when individuals in fact are pointing towards nationality or ethnic descent. This has been of issue, and continues to be of issue (e.g. Bosnia, Palestine, Darfor, etc.).
I don't care whether Ms. McIntosh is white, black, yellow, or purple. Her points are not well received, and your use of her points in support of your arguments are equally not well received. I would liken this as you building a house on quicksand.
To your point of your education teaching you "race continues to be such a salient issue in the West", I wonder why you do not make mention of those issues on-going in the "East" - as if there were some arbitrary line dividing you and I, or us and them.
True, our society does indeed still bear the scares of inequality and separte-but-equal - but how far do we have to torture ourselves? I do not think anyone does not acknowledge there were issues, and continue to be issues, we have to overcome. However, you would suggest reopening the bandages and pouring salt freshly on our wounds as the treatment for our ill.
It is not pain nor spite that will heal our wounds, Jasmin. No it is understanding, love and an attitude of service that will right those wrongs. It is my job to serve you, as an equal human being, just as it is for you to serve me. We pay it forward, and should not expect in kind or unkind any gesture of repayment. We do this because of our comitment to make not only the world better, but each other.
While you you say you seek to 'educate' me, I would kindly offer that I believe it is you who remain somewhat closeminded to the broader picture.
You speak strong words, "Until we go back to living in a world where colour truly doesn't matter, courageous people will continue to fight against this injustice."
Do you fashion yourself truly fighting for a "cause" with posts like this? I will readily admit, I do not know you, and I do not know your heart. But how else am I, a world away, to know what your heart truly seeks without your words being that window into your soul? In this brief interaction, I would submit that as long as you believe in the things of this world, you will be subject to its rule.
Thank you for your thoughts. I do not agree with your assertions, but welcome your right to speak your peace.
All Comments
I honestly can not believe we have not moved beyond race as a term for judgment in our species. We are, all of us, human. Why do we keep maintaining and building more walls when we should be working together to fix other graver ills that haunt our species? Damned if I know the answer to that or how to fix it but I am listening and seeking a solution.
It’s actually very fitting that you bring up Columbus because racism as we know it today actually arose from the colonial expansion of Columbus’ era. The real story about Columbus is that he was far more interested in GOLD than land. Through his capitalistic drive he enslaved Native Americans to mine the gold (and silver), in a system of terror with people dying from being over-work, from disease, torture, and mass-murder (and I can’t bear to repeat what they did with these peoples’ bodies). Within 50 years of this system Columbus initiated 99.9% of the Tianos population had perished – that’s genocide, not a reason for a national holiday so I applaud you Emma for standing up for what’s right.
The genocide of Native Americans spread rapidly throughout early America and soon new sources of slave labour were “needed.” Enter the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade of my ancestors... and well I guess that’s where the history books pick up the account. When human beings “of colour” were no longer considered people, but easily replaceable commodities for trade, modern racism was born.
But why make science a victim of politics?
Race can be easily observed and if some instances race of a person is unclear because of his looks, that doesn't go against the concept in general.
A niceassesment by forensic anthropologist and professor of anthropology George W. Gill:
[...]
The 'reality of race' therefore depends more on the definition of reality than on the definition of race. If we choose to accept the system of racial taxonomy that physical anthropologists have traditionally established—major races: black, white, etc.—then one can classify human skeletons within it just as well as one can living humans. The bony traits of the nose, mouth, femur, and cranium are just as revealing to a good osteologist as skin color, hair form, nose form, and lips to the perceptive observer of living humanity. I have been able to prove to myself over the years, in actual legal cases, that I am more accurate at assessing race from skeletal remains than from looking at living people standing before me. So those of us in forensic anthropology know that the skeleton reflects race, whether 'real' or not, just as well if not better than superficial soft tissue does. The idea that race is 'only skin deep' is simply not true, as any experienced forensic anthropologist will affirm.
[...]
"Those who believe that the concept of race is valid do not discredit the notion of clines, however. Yet those with the clinal perspective who believe that races are not real do try to discredit the evidence of skeletal biology. Why this bias from the 'race denial' faction? This bias seems to stem largely from socio-political motivation and not science at all. For the time being at least, the people in 'race denial' are in 'reality denial' as well. Their motivation (a positive one) is that they have come to believe that the race concept is socially dangerous. In other words, they have convinced themselves that race promotes racism. Therefore, they have pushed the politically correct agenda that human races are not biologically real, no matter what the evidence."
http://racialreality.110mb.com/race.html
That would be foolish.
They found that people's self-identified race/ethnicity is a nearly perfect indicator of their genetic background.
James Serpell’s The Domestic Dog:
”Recently using genetic and biochemical methods researchers have shown domestic dogs to be virtually identical . . . to other members of the genus . . . Results using mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) data . . . reveal startling similarities among canids . . . Greater mtDNA differences appeared within the single breeds of Doberman Pinscher or poodle than between dogs and wolves . . . to keep things in perspective, it should be pointed out that there is less mtDNA difference between dogs, wolves, and coyotes, than there is between ethnic groups of human beings.” (pp. 32-33)”
second, brain research shows it is difference, not color, that people notice (costume trumps skin color).
third, if there is really just one race, the human race, why write this article? because the article wants to emphasize difference.
four, stupid people are everywhere. stupid is not racist, anybody can be it, and it underlies racism. being stupid is the problem, racism is just one of its expressions.
White Privilege hasn't always just been about the colour of ones skin, that's the CURRENT manifestation of the issue. 100 years ago (and even more recently) in Canada and the US the Irish, Italians, and Jewish people were all considered BLACK--they were racialized... yes, I did say Irish and as such they faced every bit of racism as people of colour. Today Jewish people particularly religious Jews are still racialized and face their unique from of racism: anti-Semitism.
And the post was indeed written to emphasize difference. Difference in treatment, not difference in "humaness."
and as an aside, any self-identity that is a subset of the whole is guaranteed to bring problems with it, because it needs an "other" in order to exist.
it is high time on this planet for all people to have only one self-identity, and that is "human".
the post was intended for a North-American/Western context as is made obvious by the items in McIntosh's list of 50.
and of course there is much social stratification in countries throughout the world, but I'm not talking about the world in this particular post.
What can be done about it? It's my personal belief that it will take several more generations before the West heals from the effects of racism, and skin colour no longer matters. So in the mean time we can start with educating ourselves, our children and others about the issue. Acknowledge our own prejudices so we can rid ourselves of them and ensure that our prejudices never turn into acts of discrimination. Actively fight against racism by speaking out when we see it and correcting people who practice it -- right down to the level of stereotyping.
It's a start, but you can't change what you don't acknowledge so being "blind to race" adds to the problem, it's not a solution. Gradually the tide will turn and racism will be no more -- but I don't see that happening in my lifetime! Here's hoping for my great great great grandkids' kids!
I must say that I do not offend easily, and while I'm sure some, or all, of these experiences may be personal to you, or the writer, I find this post a good bit slanted against "whites" and in point of fact racist in and of itself.
I find it hard to believe that being so educated, you would seek to use that education as a shield - and in this regards a club - in order to make such a broad - and reaching - over-generalization as to offend without thought of those "whites" who would have nor mean you no harm - nor have such privilege.
While you probably have been exposed to some of this behavior, and for that I am deeply saddened, I am torn between your belief in attempting to confront such ignorance and the simple fact that generalizations are some of the worst forms of bigotry.
Looking at McIntosh's list can help White people to acknowledge the benefits of not being racialized (not having a set of broadly applied negative stereotypes attached to you with no regard for your individual character--all based on the colour of your skin). By acknowledging White privilege, it can help these same people to begin understanding what we racialized people must deal with on a daily basis. I can take most of the items on her list, inverse them and that's my life and the lives of many others like me! That's the point.
And I agree that it is sad that these types of discussions still have to happen. And what my education has taught me is that generalizing is indeed dangerous and racial stereotyping is just that: generalizing. This piece is a social commentary against that process. White Privilege is a social fact in the Americas. No it does not effect all White people the same way, and no, not all White people are privy to it.
Issues of race are also intersected by socio-economic status, age, gender, education etc. to form a complete package a stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination that affect ALL people. This post focuses on race.
My education has also taught me why race continues to be such a salient issue in the West. There are many reasons, but the one that I feel is the most important to remember is that colonialism, slavery, and segregation are still RECENT history. Those scars will take several more generations to heal. That is why this issue is so important to discuss and acknowledge. Until we go back to living in a world where colour truly doesn't matter, courageous people will continue to fight against this injustice.
Sometimes I think people are so ignorant about there own prejudices. They'll say, "I'm not a racist, I have plenty of Black friends." and then without being conscious of it their blood pressure elevates and they get nervous if say, their alone in an elevator with a young Black man (for example).
It would be better in my humble opinion if we would just throw it all out there, be open and honest iwth ourselves about our prejudices so that we can actively work to get rid of them.
If there's an elephant in the room, closing your eyes doesn't make it disappear.
I am with you in regards to throwing your opinion out there. Let's get real, people, by all means!
However, it seems as if you brought the elephant with you this time, Jasmin.
Race is most commonly misrepresented when individuals in fact are pointing towards nationality or ethnic descent. This has been of issue, and continues to be of issue (e.g. Bosnia, Palestine, Darfor, etc.).
I don't care whether Ms. McIntosh is white, black, yellow, or purple. Her points are not well received, and your use of her points in support of your arguments are equally not well received. I would liken this as you building a house on quicksand.
To your point of your education teaching you "race continues to be such a salient issue in the West", I wonder why you do not make mention of those issues on-going in the "East" - as if there were some arbitrary line dividing you and I, or us and them.
True, our society does indeed still bear the scares of inequality and separte-but-equal - but how far do we have to torture ourselves? I do not think anyone does not acknowledge there were issues, and continue to be issues, we have to overcome. However, you would suggest reopening the bandages and pouring salt freshly on our wounds as the treatment for our ill.
It is not pain nor spite that will heal our wounds, Jasmin. No it is understanding, love and an attitude of service that will right those wrongs. It is my job to serve you, as an equal human being, just as it is for you to serve me. We pay it forward, and should not expect in kind or unkind any gesture of repayment. We do this because of our comitment to make not only the world better, but each other.
While you you say you seek to 'educate' me, I would kindly offer that I believe it is you who remain somewhat closeminded to the broader picture.
You speak strong words, "Until we go back to living in a world where colour truly doesn't matter, courageous people will continue to fight against this injustice."
Do you fashion yourself truly fighting for a "cause" with posts like this? I will readily admit, I do not know you, and I do not know your heart. But how else am I, a world away, to know what your heart truly seeks without your words being that window into your soul? In this brief interaction, I would submit that as long as you believe in the things of this world, you will be subject to its rule.
Thank you for your thoughts. I do not agree with your assertions, but welcome your right to speak your peace.