Why do so many white people think racism no longer exists?

Question

Not ALL white people think this, I know that. But I live in Virginia, and quite a lot of them think that way here. I went out to dinner with a white friend the other night. Nothing special, just two friends hanging out. If Rocky and Bullwinkle showed up at that restaurant wearing pink polka-dot thongs, they wouldn't have got as many stares and disapproving looks as we did. My friend noticed it too; trust me, he'd have to be dead not to notice. Isn't this the year 2006? I think it's time for EVERYONE to recognize that racism is still a big problem. What do you think?

Read people, Read.
I am not saying that it is all white people, just a lot of them around here think it's a non issue. Just because they don't usually experience it themselves doesn't mean it's a non-issue, Right? For the record, I know, and truly believe that racism from either side is WRONG. I'm not trying to "egg anyone on" I just want your honest opinions. By the way, anyone who has answered one of my questions before, knows you don't have to agree with me to get the ten points. Just make a compelling argument.

Democestes: This incident took place two nights ago; not exactly what you'd call ancient history, is it? It' s not what took place during the years slavery was legal that angers so many blacks; it's what takes place today, now, this year, and just two nights ago, Don't you understand that this is STILL happening? Whether or not you owned slaves doesn't make a damned bit of difference to me, I'm talking about what takes place every day at present! You need to wake up from your apathetic state.

Pulse and Hushnowjustp are the front runners! Excellent answers!

Answer 1

Actually, unless someone told you in words what they were thinking when they looked at you, you cannot say for a certainty that they were staring at you because of your race. They might have thought you were very fine looking.
It is an unfortunate fact of the human condition that we will always have racism. One reason is that people fear what is different from themselves and fear sometimes breeds hatred because feeling fear makes you feel helpless so you hate what makes you feel that way. Another reason is that politicians manipulate racism to further their own ends.
However, if you don't think something affects you directly, you dismiss it from your thoughts because you have your own priorities. If racism isn't an issue for someone, why should they dwell on it?
I don't believe you will ever eliminate all racism and you will encounter it in all lands. The only thing you can do is change how you view and react to it. Why get upset about what you can't change? Live the best life you can and be happy.

Answer 2

Racism is a good thing, not a bad thing. Racism can't be "cured," because it's an irreducible and inherited part of the human condition.

Also, what racists say is usually correct; the racists are right, and they have always been right. When a racist debates a liberal, it's usually the liberal who abandons valid argument in favor of ad hominem slurs and uses obfuscation and diversionary tricks. The racist tries to stay focused on the debate issues because he knows that the truth is on his side.

Racial egalitarians cannot win debates with informed racists, so what usually happens when real racists join a debate forum (as distinct from leftist shills posing as racists) is the debate forum is shut down. The racial egalitarians will permit no further discussion about race.

For example, MSNBC once had a debate forum called "Race In America." The lefties were running shills (fake racists) as strawmen. Then some real racists joined the group and started kicking liberal butt.

There was a mysterious "server crash" in which all the racists' arguments were, oops, lost. But the racists just kept on winning arguments, so MSNBC scrapped the forum.

White people are "exposed" to racism all the time. A Black among Whites is MUCH safer than a White among Blacks is. Blacks are (man for man) more than 20 times more likely to attack Whites than the reverse. The government is four times more likely to decide that an act of White-on-Black violence is a "hate crime" than they are to decide that an act of Black-on-White violence is a "hate crime."

Whites bear the brunt of both personal and institutional racism. Blacks do not. Blacks suffer only from incidental and relatively timid forms of racism from Whites. The media portrayal of the racism situation is backward.

Answer 3

I think a lot of people don't think racism exists anymore because they are not exposed to being discriminated against.
Sometimes, it is a crashing blow when a white person can see that first hand, they are usually quite shocked and maybe a little embarrassed.
When my ex-husband and I started dating in the late 80s, he'd never been exposed to black people, and thus, never been exposed to racism. When we got looks and comments he was shocked and appalled. I was upset, but accustomed to being treated that way. The blow was hardest for him.
Today, he sees others with different eyes, especially now that we have children. (by the way, our split was not a racial issue)
As a teacher, I wish others would take more notice to what others go through in life. Perhaps, then, we would be a little more understanding of each other.

Answer 4

Let's reverse the situation.....just for laughs, ok?.....

Let's say you and your friend went to hang out at a nice, predominantly Black, restaurant......

Do you think you two would get stared at there? Would the people in the predominantly Black restaurant behave any different than what you experienced in Virginia? Do you think your friend would notice stares more than you would, and would he or she feel "uncomfortable?"

The answer, of course, would be "yes."

It may, or may not be racism.......but perhaps you didn't feel very comfortable in the place you went to. Perhaps you were too preocupied with what people thought about you, rather than having a good time with your friend.

Other things must have been on your mind than just "hanging out with a friend." Otherwise, you would have had a great time with your friend, and you wouldn't give two-shits about what other people thought!

Yes, racism is real, even in 2006......but I don't think that was the case in the situation you described. Think about it.

By the way.....you're wrong! People WOULD notice Rocky and Bullwinkle if they had walked into that restaurant. It's only natural for people to stare at something that's out of the aesthetic norm (like a Black and White couple - DUH!)

Answer 5

I know what your going through. I live in Colorado and it's just as bad here. I'm white and I go out with a black friend. I hate when people stare. I usually get my camera out of my purse and ask people if they want to take a picture. It usually embarasses them. I also notice that business owners are just as bad. We were bored one time, my friend walked into a hotel and asked for a room. The clerk said they were booked up for the night. Five minutes later I walked in and I was able to get a room. Same with walking into a restuarnt to get reservations. I honestly don't think racism will ever die. In th 50's and 60's at least there were more open about it.

Answer 6

Being white, I can't comment from experience but I'm sure you're right. I suspect that after the 'publicity/attention' racism received over the last 30 - 40 years, people would just like to think that the problem no longer exists and has gone away. It seems some people can't get through life unless they have some group or other to hate.

Answer 7

Because we think that it is. We are sick and tired of being held to the actions of the past. especially since we have neither owned slaves or tried to keep people from voting. Most of us have studied the words of Dr. King " that man will be judged on the content of his character not the color of his skin. Racism isn't such a problem as still a cultural undertone. Blacks hate Whites for all of the misdeeds perpetrated on them. Whites of at least my generation and most of the older generations don't see blacks as anything other than people. We don't actively seek out to harm anyone, we merely seek to co exist with everyone equally. 'Nuff Said.

Answer 8

Avenue Q says it best:

Everyone's a little bit racist, sometimes
Doesn't mean we go around commiting hate crimes!

But seriously, maybe some people who aren't minorities think that becuase the Civil Rights era has come and passed, there's nothing else to be accomplished. I guess the majorities look at the past and see that there has been so much change, that in comparison, there isn't that much rascism.

My two cents.

Answer 9

Racism does not have the severity as when I was a boy in late fifties. But racism is still embedded in most people’s hearts; most of the time it is not even an intent or thought.
My grandmother had dark skin; it was obvious that she was a mixed race woman of Indian, black, and white blood. The white people said things about her in front of me because of my pale white skin. The black people said things about her in front of my older brother, because of his dark skin. Neither side said nice things.

In 1967 I was in New York; I was on my way to Vietnam. I was riding a bus and an old black woman got on the bus; but there were no seats. I stood up and said, “Madam, you can have my seat.” I then walked up nearer to the door. A white man asked me why I let the black woman sit. I loudly replied, because she reminds me of my grandmother. There was quietness on the bus and none of the different races said anything.

Now that I am retired and living in China, I realize the quietness reminds me that racism is quieter now; but it is still with us. A bullet from a gun with a silencer will kill you just as quickly as one with a loud bang.

Answer 10

I think that racism is more prevalent in states like the one you live in. I'm from Chicago, and since there are so many different races living in the same area, I think they are less likely to be racist. I'm sorry for your experience, and I'm embarassed because of the racist white people who give all of the rest of us a bad name. However, I think that racist people come in all different colors. This is a problem with every nationality from A-Z, it just depends on the individual.