oodum wrote:
Yes there is a lot of learned bigotry, not just in white America. In Israel we are taught to hate the arabs because they always have wars but mostly because of some differences in the bible, or some shit. Some groups of African Americans hate all white people because they're conflicts in the past but not all whites are responsible for slavery. My ancestors have nothing to do with slavery and or were enslaved themselves or gassed or forced to live in ghettos. So those 'Kill the White' people groups aren't quite getting the picture, I guess. I saw recently that Minor Threat songwriter wrote something about being discriminated for being white then some other ignorant ass-wipes took that as pro-white BS. Everyone in America is an immigrant, maybe even some native americans. My parents were one of those hidden racists, never approved of my black gf's...I really don't think I am a racist, but maybe I am and always have been?
I have been a victim of mass hatred due to my bad personality and my attempt to make music. I get it now, though. Boston has a lot of pride in their Hardcore scene and I was too young and never attracted to that scene. But something tells me that by the 90's they lost touch of it's origins and at some point to many bands hopped on the bandwagon, which seems to happens to and ruin underground music scenes. I never saw the appeal in music which was based solely on energy and image and my brain was totally wasted on overuse of acid before turning 18 I took to the psychedelic music approach and found the hardcore, or what had become of punk hardcore abrasive. I also thought phish, grunge and indy music were all annoying. Does hating genres of music make me a bigot or is this rational dislike?
Well....I hear what you're saying, even though it's a lot.
And....you most likely are a racist in some ways, and have been since an early age. I know that I am absolutely racist, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Racism isn't just about hatred, it's not just about calling black people the N word. It's mostly about discriminatory practices and an institutionalized system of power and oppression, and it's often very subtle, like I mentioned above.
It can look like when a you're waiting at a crowded deli, and the person behind the counter takes your order next, even though there's a black guy that's been waiting way longer. That's racism.
It can look like when I'm doing a presentation at work with a black woman, and when it's time for question and answer, everyone automatically directs their questions at me, even though she's equally if not more qualified to answer their questions.
It can look like when you're walking down the street alone at night, and you see a black guy who you don't know with his hood up, and you feel afraid and cross the street rather than pass him on the sidewalk. Later you see a pretty tough looking white guy with his hood up, and you don't cross the street. That's racist, and I know that I'm guilty of this last one.
It's not good enough not to hate. When that worker at the deli calls on you to take you order, you speak up, say, "Hey, this guy here has been waiting longer, take his order."
When I'm getting asked all the questions at this presentation, I should say, "Hey Martha, this is kind of your area of expertise, why don't you answer this question."
That's how to overcome your racism, by breaking the cycle of racist behaviors and conditioning. It's not enough not to hate.
As far as that last scenario....well, that's something that I still struggle with overcoming. The first step is simply being aware of what's happening in my mind rather than just blindly reacting. But I'm still racist, and it's going to take a lot of time and effort to overcome years of reactionary racist conditioning in a basically all white small town.