Sick of Black Racism - MLK day food for thought

fedup · January 2009

I just want to say that I am sick of being targeted - in ways overt and not - by black people because I am white. It is the the only group that seems to think its okay to be openly racist. (Not all or even most, of course but some). I have been called a pussy, had rocks thrown at me, snowballs, see smiles turn to frown when I walk into stores or businesses. I have been mocked. The super in my building won't even respond when I say hello. I know Asian friends of mine who get called racial slurs. And on and on...

It all have three things in common 1) it is always black people 2) It is always strangers that I am not even interacting with. 3) it always when I'm alone or with my girlfriend. I am a target because of my race. That is not okay.

I have never targeted anyone for their race. I was raised to not judge people by their color. I am not wealthy or obnoxious. I have not benefited from past racism. I'm just trying to make my way in the world and am the victim of racism over and over.

My question is what should I do? It's usually a group of people while I am alone. I don't feel safe telling them to fuck off or returning the the treatment. But I don't feel right just taking it, either.

The other question is why? Why does some of the black population of NYC feel comfortable with open racism?

It's 2009. How can we stop this? It's not just me. But I think people feel uncomfortable discussing it.

xlizellx · January 2009

"I have not benefited from past racism."

if you are white, you have, whether you knew it or not.
that's why there are still so many disparities between people - because it's not even recognized by those who benefit from it.

fedup · January 2009

How have I benefited then?

But I can't believe that is your only reaction to this. Don't you think someone being targeted for their race is wrong?

I'm all for reparations for the inequities that slavery brought about (and that still exist). But just because those inequities still exist does not mean a) every black person suffers from them or b) That I benefited from it.

How has an improvised inner city white on welfare benefited from racism? That's ridiculous. How would they be worse off if not for racism against blacks?

alafairnadia · January 2009

fedup wrote: How have I benefited then?

But I can't believe that is your only reaction to this. Don't you think someone being targeted for their race is wrong?

I'm all for reparations for the inequities that slavery brought about (and that still exist). But just because those inequities still exist does not mean a) every black person suffers from them or b) That I benefited from it.

How has an improvised inner city white on welfare benefited from racism? That's ridiculous. How would they be worse off if not for racism against blacks?

I believe the term is institutionalized racism. I know, I know, big words.

unfortunately, power structures allow folks in positions of power, like white males, to benefit from this. or wealthy males. or older males. (note the generally male part, too)

in any case, I don't disagree with you that reverse racism exists -- if you could see the shit I get from EVERYONE in ecuador for being white/gringa you'd be floored. not only is the sexism absurd, the ignorance and racist shit is OOC.

guess what? you hope the world changes enough to fix this problem. and? you try to do something about it. if some kid gives you shit in brooklyn, ask him/her if they talk to their mother with that mouth. chances are ... no.

and no, I haven't figured out yet if black folk or indigenous folk here are treated worse. but I'm pretty sure the order has to do with color. I'll visit guayaquil soon and find out.

nycgeoff · January 2009

I am nominating this for "best of Brooklynian" after just 3 posts because I can imagine where this is going :-)

alafairnadia · January 2009

Flexichick wrote: I am nominating this for "best of Brooklynian" after just 3 posts because I can imagine where this is going :-)

mougar · January 2009

fedup · January 2009

I understand the concept of institutional racism. I know that there are lasting effect of slavery and racism in this country. But that does not mean every white benefits - nor does it mean every black suffer. That is why Obama has said it would not be right for his daughters to get preferential treatment because of their race. The idea that every white has gained something from racism is ridiculous - as is the idea that every black has been disadvantaged.

But all this is beside the point. It smacks of being unwilling to address black racism head on. There is no excuse for wealthy blacks born in the 1990's to target poor white people, is there? Maybe thinking that it is pay back is part of what makes them think it's acceptable.

But poor, uneducated and disadvantaged is poor uneducated and disadvantaged. And rich and powerful is rich and powerful. No matter the color.

fedup · January 2009

I think it would be a shame if this become all about whether there are lasting affects of racism. There are. They should be fixed.

But does that excuse the racism that I experience. I thank that is does not. Can we agree that it is not alright and maybe even move on to talking about a solution? Is that too much to ask?

Why does a white victim of racism not get taken seriously? That is wrong.

bobbybrummel · January 2009

why is this automatically racism? the stuff you're describing sounds like the way i was treated by white people growing up in the suburbs. it's cos i was (and am still to this day) a dweeb. it's not so much racism as it is dweebism.

so i think your only solution is to be less of a white dweeb, and then maybe people won't call you out on being a pussy.

bobbybrummel · January 2009

i should clarify. *i* am not calling you "a pussy." i'm just saying that if your problem is your dweebiness, then there's gotta be some solution, because i'm as dweeby as they come and ain't nobody calling me a pussy around here.

jgregorie · January 2009

okay true story first of all im a white male and i was walking down the street one day and this older black dude like in his 70s was walking with a small child. The kids pants kind of fell down and the guy says kind of loud " pull your pants up you're not irish" and then looks at me. I just looked at him with this face thinking " dude what the fuck does that even mean? "

fedup · January 2009

You don't know a god damned thing about me.

I can't prove it's all racism. Isn't that part of the insidiousness of racism? But when they specifically mention the race of the person they target (as the sometimes do), I think it's safe to say its racism.

But, again, do we really have to debate whether open racism against whites and asians exists in the black community?? Please...

Again can we just admit that this is a real phenomenon and move on to how to stop black racism along with other types.

White people are the victims of racism and blacks seem to be the only only one who are open and aggressive about it. Sorry to upset your view of the world if you didn't know that.

fedup · January 2009

jgregorie, That's what I'm talking about (although that's just kind of a funny example). It's as if there is an attitude like "I'm black I can't be racist" or "White people deserve it. They have it easy." ...I'm just guessing here.

Imagine a white person saying "Pull your pants up your not black!" Then looking at a black person nearby.

bobbybrummel · January 2009

jgregorie wrote: "pull your pants up you're not irish"

i'm sorry, but that is actually hilarious.

white folk, why are you always so sensitive? with your affordable rents and convenient subways, you'd think you'd be able to suck it up a little more.

niner · January 2009

Oh ..... this thread is going to be full of win in very short order. I'm going to have to watch this one for the next few days.

bobbybrummel · January 2009

fedup wrote:
Imagine a white person saying "Pull your pants up your not black!" Then looking at a black person nearby.

I could be totally wrong, but I'm guessing the hilarious old man probably would have said it whether a white guy was around or not. The look may have even been the look of "oh shit, possibly offended Irishman!" Like the time I was discussing the use of an ethnic slur in a book with my editor girlfriend, only to have someone of that ethnicity walking 15 ft in front of us give me the evil eye.

fedup · January 2009

I don't have a pot to piss in, bobbybrummel. All my white friend have nothing. But they do get charged ridiculously high rents because the landlords think - like you - that they can afford it. That their rich parents will pay the rent, etc.

Your ignorance is showing.

bobbybrummel · January 2009

Well, then I have to wonder, and I mean this in just a practical way, what keeps you in this neighborhood? If your rent is too high and you don't feel welcome, it seems you'd be better off going deeper into Brooklyn for cheaper rents and a different ethnic makeup.

mougar · January 2009

It's too bad JAH was banned. Again.

fedup · January 2009

So people who experience racism should move just out of the neighborhood? Welcome to 1955!

I have family and friends here. It is home. Do I have explain that?

I generally feel welcome with this one glaring exception. You might find it hard to belief but I don't see the racism of a few black people as a reflection of the whole neighborhood. They are the...um...minority.

bobbybrummel · January 2009

fedup wrote: So people who experience racism should move just out of the neighborhood?

That's not what I was going for. If anything, racism would just be the straw that broke the camel's back. I'm just saying, if you can't afford it, there are alternatives. Gentrification doesn't just have to affect the original black residents of victimized neighborhoods.

jgregorie · January 2009

it was pretty funny actually.

okay here is another one, swear to god this happened.

I used to work in the empire state building and down the street was one of those golden crust jamaican patty places. So im walking by one day at lunch and this asain girl walks out of the patty place as these two 20 something black women are walking in. They see the asain girl walking out and one says to the other " what the hell is she doing in here? " I just look at them and am like " so what you've never had chinese food before?

Then I realize what if that girl isnt even chinese? I felt like a dick and proceeded to walk down the street.

bobbybrummel wrote: [quote=jgregorie]"pull your pants up you're not irish"

i'm sorry, but that is actually hilarious.

white folk, why are you always so sensitive? with your affordable rents and convenient subways, you'd think you'd be able to suck it up a little more.

nonhipoldbklynchick · January 2009

It shouldn't matter, but--- are you from NYC? Do you have that scared rabbit look? I think the dweeb or nerd factor may be more of a problem than race... I do not experience racism, maybe because I make a face like "I'll kill ya if ya look at me"..... Do your "friends and family" have similar problems? Back in the day when I was a youth ...1970s....we were taught that if you looked crazy angry people would leave you alone. Give it a try.

whatchuwant · January 2009

fedup wrote: I don't have a pot to piss in, bobbybrummel. All my white friend have nothing. But they do get charged ridiculously high rents because the landlords think - like you - that they can afford it. That their rich parents will pay the rent, etc.

Question: You say you and your friends don't have a pot to piss in and are getting overcharged in rent.....so you and your friends DO have money to pay the rent, correct? I don't have the aforementioned "pot" either. However, I don't live in a new and/or overpriced apartment- I CAN'T AFFORD IT. So, I just don't get when I see 20-30 somethings who dress like they have no money and drink PBR, but they're walking out of some high end building complete with doorman (NOT saying this is you).....I just never got that. And so I assume two things: they actually DO have money, and just act like they don't OR parents are chipping in BIG TIME to their lifestyle.

I'm a honky, btw.

anastasia beaverhausen · January 2009

JAH/Cafeaulait did get banned. And registered as Fedup. Black man to Black woman to White man. Interesting.

voodoonyc · January 2009

Anastasia Beaverhausen wrote: JAH/Cafeaulait did get banned. And registered as Fedup. Black man to Black woman to White man. Interesting.

Damn you. You beat me to it.

localguy · January 2009

Anastasia Beaverhausen wrote: JAH/Cafeaulait did get banned. And registered as Fedup. Black man to Black woman to White man. Interesting.

I'm half-expecting Precious Williams to come to the rescue

flo · January 2009

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." --

"We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

apresvu · January 2009

Do I smell a TROLL in the works

slappy mcbluelips · January 2009

fedup wrote: I don't have a pot to piss in, bobbybrummel. All my white friend have nothing. But they do get charged ridiculously high rents because the landlords think - like you - that they can afford it. That their rich parents will pay the rent, etc.

Your ignorance is showing.

I'm pretty sure landlords inform tenants of the rent they'll be charged at the time of lease signing. At that point, tenants decide whether they can afford it. Those without pots for pissing who agree to pay such high rents are to blame here, not landlords who must purchase pots for their own pissing benefits with the rent money received from tenants.

Sick of Black Racism - MLK day food for thought

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