tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post228600148978344467..comments2024-03-06T08:29:13.333-08:00Comments on stuff white people do: overexplain things to black peoplemacon dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-69608023229832055992010-05-01T16:12:49.014-07:002010-05-01T16:12:49.014-07:00thesciencegirl: "In one immunology class, the...thesciencegirl: "In one immunology class, the TA stopped lecturing to look at me and say, "You look confused. What are your questions?,"<br /><br />OH SHIT! This has happened to me several times as a science major. I've always wondered if it was due to my facial expressions or something! I had no clue that this was a form of being "dumbed down."ah hanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-3025524142332528822009-12-11T09:46:15.572-08:002009-12-11T09:46:15.572-08:00yes. yes. yes. i empathize with the person who wro...yes. yes. yes. i empathize with the person who wrote the original post and with those who responded with similar experiences. is it any consolation to know that you don't stand alone, that our experiences being condescended to are not at all unccommon? <br /><br />i come from multiple generations of university-educated people. like many other immigrants, my family experienced downward mobility upon coming to the US. nevertheless, my sister and i were inculcated with a love of ideas, art, music, good food. my parents raised my sister and me as if we had never left the mother country. we were instilled with a sense of duty to help those who did not have the luck to have been into a family like ours. <br /><br />apparently it is beyond the imagination of many white US people that immigrant POC (and US-born black people and latin@s) could possibly be more erudite or intelligent or scholarly than they are, despite abundant evidence to the contrary. go to any city; there are cab drivers from west africa with advanced degrees in physics and french literature, shop clerks from the philippines whose science degrees are not recognized here, factory workers from vietnam who were attorneys before they came to the US, nannies from latin america with advanced degrees in early childhood education. i could go on and on. we're not so uncommon.<br /><br />please, please, consider that the unprepossessing brown woman who rings up your sale at the drugstore might actually be better educated than you are. she may know things that you cannot even imagine.<br /><br />hear us. don't get defensive. don't overexplain. don't assume you know who you're talking to. we often understand you better than you think.island girl in a land w/o seanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-27923635423387711432009-12-07T06:56:55.406-08:002009-12-07T06:56:55.406-08:00[Dear Anonymous person who didn't bother to fo...[Dear Anonymous person who didn't bother to follow the request on this "Post a Comment" page of using a name,<br /><br />Thank you for submitting a comment to "stuff white people do." Unfortunately, publication of your comment would not advance the discussion here, due to its disrespectful and trivializing rejection of points delivered honestly from a non-white perspective. <br /><br />Also: whether it is, as you wrote, "racist to believe that, just because your teachers are white and you're black, they are racist and treating you like an idiot" is beside the point of this post (as well as a bad reading of the post). I suggest that you read the original post more carefully, and respectfully, along with at least some of the comments above. If you do, you're likely to discover repeated descriptions of <i>a common white tendency</i>, and not of something that many non-whites at all think that white people do "just because they're white." Non-white <i>knowledge</i> of common white tendencies tends to come from repeated unfortunate experiences. In the interest of justice, and of your own personal growth, you and other white people (assuming you're white) should listen more respectfully when a non-white person is willing to share that knowledge. <br /><br />If you'd like to submit comments that reflect a more respectful and introspective approach, they're much more likely to be published here.<br /><br />Sincerely, macon]macon dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-20684529803777072152009-12-06T21:49:27.798-08:002009-12-06T21:49:27.798-08:00So true, and it's a shame.So true, and it's a shame.Marcinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05818257203105665706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-89468605505380929252009-12-06T20:18:58.703-08:002009-12-06T20:18:58.703-08:00Witchsistah,
Thank you for the fuller explanation...Witchsistah,<br /><br />Thank you for the fuller explanation -- I went back and read it with your comment in mind. I am currently rethinking my mod practices here, so thank you again, your comments are helpful. <br /><br />As you can see further down that thread, I did address that commenter's obnoxiousness. I think that was a stage in my learning about good mod practices, and that I wouldn't let those kinds of obnoxious comments through now. I'll definitely keep working on it. My apologies to you and to others who were offended by those comments.macon dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-10858467421335053422009-12-06T19:59:52.422-08:002009-12-06T19:59:52.422-08:00Macon,
The post where RVCBard talked about how sh...Macon,<br /><br />The post where RVCBard talked about how she is treated as a Black woman. She talks about being recognized as a biological female (like an animal) but not as a HUMAN woman (forget about having access to "lady"). There was an idiot there who kept on saying that stereotypes have sticking power because they're true and said that Black women were meaner, angrier and more unpleasant to deal with than other races of presumably more "ladylike" women. He said this over and over again and when challenged countered basically and sarcastically that there must be no Black welfare queens who shit out babies by dozens of different men. The person also alluded to his sexual experiences with Asian women. After that I think you FINALLY showed concern about the commenter but only because he was derailing, NOT because he was insulting Black and Asian (well, maybe you cared a little about the Asian women) women wholesale.Witchsistahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01603586060096649666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-37533066830797731872009-12-06T19:48:07.827-08:002009-12-06T19:48:07.827-08:00The mod routinely lets in folks with racist, anti-...<i>The mod routinely lets in folks with racist, anti-PoC views that they spout off comment after comment and said mod always claims a rather naive innocence over sussing out said commenter's POV. "Gee, I thought they were being sincere," when a commenter stated over and over again that Black women were more mean, angry and hostile than other women and then that Black women were a bunch of lazy, welfare sluts who bang out bastard babies sired by various males.</i><br /><br />Witchsistah, I disallow about 20% of the comments submitted here -- a LOT of racist crap, mostly. I'll take your recommendation for even tighter control under consideration.<br /><br />Where is this thread that I allowed commenters to say that about Black women?macon dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-15895953062701600882009-12-06T19:41:33.860-08:002009-12-06T19:41:33.860-08:00I'm with Restructure. This place is safe spac...I'm with Restructure. This place is safe space for Whites. PoC are routinely thrown under the bus here. The mod routinely lets in folks with racist, anti-PoC views that they spout off comment after comment and said mod always claims a rather naive innocence over sussing out said commenter's POV. "Gee, I thought they were being sincere," when a commenter stated over and over again that Black women were more mean, angry and hostile than other women and then that Black women were a bunch of lazy, welfare sluts who bang out bastard babies sired by various males.<br /><br />This seems to be YET another site for Whites to do nothing more than make confessions, mea culpas and wring their hands about racism. Meanwhile, racism is just as healthy and strong as ever in meatspace. After 40 years of hearing about and dealing with so-called White liberals and progressives and, their latest version, "allies", I have to say they are the most ineffectual band of pseudo-activists regarding race relations I've ever witnessed.Witchsistahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01603586060096649666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-65738845735799543452009-12-05T22:31:24.984-08:002009-12-05T22:31:24.984-08:00No Restructure, for everyone. I mean that.No Restructure, for everyone. I mean that.Jillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792137126898623243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-60015544942670798012009-12-05T22:25:30.242-08:002009-12-05T22:25:30.242-08:00If this student doesn't want to have typograph...If this student doesn't want to have typographical errors explained to him by his professor, perhaps he should not bring drafts of essays with typographical errors to his professors and then ask for comments.<br /><br />here's a news flash for the young man, already a college junior before having realized this, apparently: when your professors see stupid errors in your work, they will often assume you are stupid, and begin to talk to you as if you are disabled. it's fallacious to say that this habit is an expression of their racism (i.e., something "white people do"). they're not doing it because of your skin color; they're doing it because of the dumb errors.<br /><br />you say you were "going" to fix the errors on your own? next time, get around to it. give your professors your best work, and in return they'll give you their respect.Pinheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-81541158360537931102009-12-05T17:25:39.798-08:002009-12-05T17:25:39.798-08:00@Jillian
My problem here, which you are only cont...@Jillian<br /><br /><i>My problem here, which you are only continuing, is that this blog of all places should be a safe space. Do you think someone will continue to improve themselves if they're constantly shot down?</i><br /><br />You expect this blog to be a <a href="http://restructure.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/a-safe-space-for-whites-to-talk-about-race-is-unsafe-for-people-of-colour/" rel="nofollow">safe space for whites</a>, you mean.Restructure!http://restructure.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-85972354046826555012009-12-05T11:24:20.808-08:002009-12-05T11:24:20.808-08:00No, unfortunately it never ends. I am college educ...No, unfortunately it never ends. I am college educated have an M.A.(and not that this even matters) and my son's teachers still insist upon calling me by my first name (uninvited I might add) when I have seen firsthand that they do NOT do the same to white mothers.<br /><br />I am in no way hung-up on formalities, and if asked I would not mind, but to assume, in my mind at least, is rude. In turn I call them by their first name, petty I know but the shocked looks provide me with some satisfaction.Tikvah4u2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-90874617903333986042009-12-05T10:32:40.666-08:002009-12-05T10:32:40.666-08:00I've found that the majority of white people w...I've found that the majority of white people who act that way are those with academic pretentions. These are the same individuals that swear they don't have a racist bone in their entire body and consider themselves to be extremely liberal in their attitudes.<br />Unfortunately, it does not end after college. Most of these types you WILL meet in your daliy life will assume three things about you without ever having had a single conversation with you.<br />1. You have never been to college.<br />2.You grew up on welfare or impoverished in the ghetto.(If you are black and male, they will assume that you play basketball and are streetsmart.)It doesn't matter how well you are dressed or how well spoken you are.<br />3. That you do not read books.<br /><br />The only way that I have found to handle this is to keep firmly locked in my mind the knowledge of who I am and what I have accoplished in life. You must please do the same. It's the only way to keep your sanity around such people.<br /><br />FTR: Not all whites act like that. Some just accept whatever persona you give them at face value. People like that are always great to have as friends. It's impossible to be friends with someone who believes you to be a moron. If you can't confront the attitude directly, then for your own sanity, you must ignore it.peaberrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-7034921035479938232009-12-05T09:23:51.701-08:002009-12-05T09:23:51.701-08:00Great, thank you RVCBard. I'm about to get on...Great, thank you RVCBard. I'm about to get on a plane, but I'll write within the next few days.Jillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792137126898623243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-19683715951761789482009-12-05T08:48:46.809-08:002009-12-05T08:48:46.809-08:00@Jillian,
You can reach me at my gmail account. I...@Jillian,<br /><br />You can reach me at my gmail account. It's the same as the username I use here.RVCBardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06481089855894764409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-24017805833034881152009-12-05T08:37:38.944-08:002009-12-05T08:37:38.944-08:00RVCBard,
I realized, after thinking about this la...RVCBard,<br /><br />I realized, after thinking about this last night and when I was still bothered by our interaction this morning that I owe you a sincere apology: I could have handled the situation differently yesterday and instead I got defensive and then, as I've been doing my entire life, dragged it out. I am genuinely sorry.<br /><br />I'm happy to talk about this more privately IF you want. Otherwise, I don't see any point in qualifying my apology publicly.Jillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792137126898623243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-42944463482739885742009-12-05T04:04:26.765-08:002009-12-05T04:04:26.765-08:00La Smart One, I don't really have a career. I&...La Smart One, I don't really have a career. I'm an adjunct, meaning I put a lot less at risk than others in my department would when I change my behavior or speak up. While "working against their best interests" stings, I very much appreciate your advice.T. Laurel Sulfatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08402062885579362223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-33313022659208347242009-12-04T22:01:05.657-08:002009-12-04T22:01:05.657-08:00Hmmmm, what NancyP states sounds like greed to me,...Hmmmm, what NancyP states sounds like greed to me, yes a psychological drive to be greedy. <br /><br />Typical, I'm alright Jack and to hell with everyone else mentality. Of course, that's nothing new, so no surprises there.<br /><br />Just look how the whole world is in a mess, because on one race's drive for world domination based on greed.<br /><br />I wonder if it ever occurred to some people that there wouldn't be so much chaos and disharmony if people wre less greedy and self-centred and hateful, but genuinely more willing to share with their fellow brethren?Antonia - Beauty Health Finance and Green Issues Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18105675673609631392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-52502596822814269482009-12-04T22:00:52.865-08:002009-12-04T22:00:52.865-08:00Thanks MialoSeven, I'll see what I can come up...Thanks MialoSeven, I'll see what I can come up with. I'm not dreaming of a "white" Christmas, but yeah, it can be tough to avoid basically having one in the U.S. of A.macon dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-52619641375335288512009-12-04T21:57:51.181-08:002009-12-04T21:57:51.181-08:00I don't know where else to write to contact yo...I don't know where else to write to contact you macon but i cannot wait until your Christmas "themed" post. You've got one of the most eye-opening blogs on the internet and i've always thought of Christmas as a racist holiday. Right down to the seasonal white-centric Christmas songs.<br /><br />So yeah, i can't wait to read your take on Christmas.MialoSevennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-25746207212856326392009-12-04T18:55:33.745-08:002009-12-04T18:55:33.745-08:00So, NancyP, what you've written leads me to be...So, NancyP, what you've written leads me to believe that this and other websites in the White anti-racist industry are basically circle jerks for White folk and are utterly useless in actually battling racism since Whites really aren't gonna get off the White privilege pot ever.Witchsistahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01603586060096649666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-69645930792073830772009-12-04T17:42:47.763-08:002009-12-04T17:42:47.763-08:00The dominant culture's training takes time and...The dominant culture's training takes time and effort to unlearn, and it can't be erased completely. There's also no question that financial self-interest or psychological drive to be dominant affects white people's (and men's) willingness to promote fair practice. People in general do not act in a self-consistent manner. It isn't so surprising that a white person may try their hardest to be fair to students or colleagues of color, but also may buy a house in a predominantly white neighborhood with a record of stable home prices (ha!) because they are thinking about long term investment in the house, want the school system with more resources and a better record of college admissions, etc. When it comes to material welfare of their family, the average liberal white person will do the Expected Thing and consciously or unconsciously acquiesce in institutional racism. There is some serious inertia - few people will work to correct a problem that doesn't hurt them daily. Malice isn't required for maintenance of the status quo - merely indifference.NancyPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-27909300103069800302009-12-04T17:04:25.300-08:002009-12-04T17:04:25.300-08:00"All you need to do is pick up any standard i..."All you need to do is pick up any standard issue social psychology or sociology textbook to know what the real deal is. I can't take white people's supposed "good intentions" on face value. Sorry."<br /><br />Why would they? It's much safer to comment on blogs and forums like this than actually doing something tangible about it. Oh, I love this new excuse, that this is 'sub-conscious' that I am reading. Oh, and what about their feelings? This post is about talking down to black people as if they are mentally deficient in some way. The responses I'm reading from the presumably white people is in essence this; "you're hurting our feelings, when questioned"! Yet, they manage to bring it back to how a white person may or may not feel. That being said, 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions'. <br /><br />These comparison to alcoholism is especially enlightening. Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic, once a racist, always a racist even if one claims to be in 'recovery'. As for defending some white person who admitted to their racism, I find that particularly interesting. In fact it sounds like an AA meeting in that some alcoholics are trying to persuade the other alcoholics that they aren't alcoholics. LaSmartrtone and Rvc would serve as the 'alcoholics' trying to explain to the other alcoholics why they are indeed 'alcoholic'. Allegories aside, what it boils down to is more justifications and a lack of comprehension as to what is being stated. Another 'thing white people do' is lack comprehension in regards to what a racialized person is saying, there appears to be a disconnect.<br /><br />"Racism that comes from white liberal guilt, insidious and occasionally revolting as it may be, is still a lot better than the base level of racism in genuine white supremacy."<br /><br />In other words be grateful you're not back in the good old days!Herneithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-25506223552665074302009-12-04T15:49:42.648-08:002009-12-04T15:49:42.648-08:00@ RCVBard Where does that happen in this thread? ...@ RCVBard <i> Where does that happen in this thread? </i><br />I think I mistook what were general comments as directed towards PixieCorpse's comment. Oops. <br /><br /><i> "I have yet to see any POC argue that acknowledging racism is not important or that unlearning racist behaviors and attitudes is an instant process. I would appreciate it if White people would cease insulting the intelligence of POC by constantly hammering on the point that recognizing the problem is important. We get it. We got it before you did. As a matter of fact, you probably got it because we told you. So stop regurgitating this as though it's something new." </i><br /><br />Not sure if this is a general comment or addressed to me specifically, but if it was, I don't identify as white and don't appreciate the assumption.<br /><br />Certainly it's an old point, but I was just trying to emphasize it because it is honestly one of the only ways for white people to begin trying to reassess their beliefs about race. I don't really have much to add without reiterating everyone else's points because in rereading the comments I realized that people weren't attacking PixieCorpose.al12noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-85319812820911028322009-12-04T15:11:43.741-08:002009-12-04T15:11:43.741-08:00Julia,
I sent your google chat invite.Julia,<br /><br />I sent your google chat invite.RVCBardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06481089855894764409noreply@blogger.com