Or Apartheid, or racism? It's stupid to pretend they don't exist or that white people have no resposibility for them.
I'm tired of white people saying "Yea, but what about..." or "Black people owned/sold slaves". Wrong is wrong.
And most of the time they don't even have their facts straight.
2006-07-31 05:57:13 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Actually, I think white people in S. Africa is pretty open about talking about Apartheid.
2006-07-31 06:10:37 · answer #1 · answered by warriorn639mr 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Slavery was indeed wrong and hurtful. Apartheid, racism.. same story. Why someone would be "defensive" as you put it is beyond me. However, I have noticed a black on white racism growing more and more prevelant in recent years.
People really can not be held accountable for something that their ancestors were responsible for. Now, to my knowledge, no one in my family was involved with slave labor.
However, lets look at this from a 'what if' point of view:
Suppose my great great grandfather had owned a slave. Regardless of how said slave was treated (good or bad) he is wrong for owning a slave. Yes. While studying my family history, I come across this tidbit of info, and decide to investigate it. Turns out that he had been a banker, and had a very large house. The slave he kept was not made to work tirelessly in the fields, but rather to work in the house, keeping rooms tidy and meals cooked. Much more a maid than a slave. Then I find that he released his slave when the law finally outlawed slavery, and she chose to work for him as a freed woman, because she actually liked it there and was treated well.
Now, should I be defensive of slavery because of this only tie I have to it? I would say no. Granted, yes some people may do that, but I don't agree there really is no reason to defend something that is in its nature a wrongful behaviour. Keep in mind, that this little example was just that an example. As I mentioned previously to my knowledge there is no history of involvement with slavery in my family.
Why then, do I get the looks, and feel the accusatory feelings of certain people within the black community, just because I am a white guy? Like I said.. I never owned a slave, and as far as I know neither did anyone in my family, is it right to be treated as if I did? No, it's no more right or wrong than slavery, and racism.
It is this kind of prejudice that affects us all. As you say, wrong is wrong.
2006-07-31 06:30:22 · answer #2 · answered by tcindie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, you have a few questions here:
1) I don't believe ALL white people pretend racism doesn't exist. I believe that racism is being kept alive -- if it is to completely stop, all races need to stop saying racist remarks. Not too sure where you are getting "yea, but what about ..." -- sounds like you are hearing a few stupid people and lumping them into a convenient "White" group. Stupid people come in all different colors, not just white. Your comments are just as racist and those your are commenting on.
2) Responsibility for what?? Their opinions? You cannot make stupid people be responsible.
I have even heard some black people say that all white people should "Pay them back" for what the slave owners did to them. HUH!!! Do you know anyone that is still alive from those time? If so, the 'owner' can compensate the 'slave', otherwise, they need to get their facts straight. Comments like that just make racism alive and well -- and it needs to stop on all sides!
2006-07-31 06:12:59 · answer #3 · answered by GP 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two thoughts come to mind. One is that some peole take offense from the standpoint that because they are white, their ancestors took place in the slave trade. This accusation is just not true. In addition, there were thousands of black Africans and Arab peoples that were doing the kidnapping of Africans for sale. A lot of folks don't mention that. (or the current slave trade and genocide that exists in Africa today.) The second thought is that it has been generation since the trading of slave has been abolished. How does slavery figure in to black on black violence? The absence of males in MOST black families? There needs to be a revival from within the black community to rise up from the lack of accountability or victim mentality and start changing old "defend all black action and condem all white action" thinking. There is no good harvest to be had there.
2006-07-31 06:19:05 · answer #4 · answered by Mike R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It just depends on how you present the issue. A lot of people just feel like you are guilt tripping them. By grouping whites together to blame them in such a way, you are being a racist yourself. Not all white people think the same way. And obviously not all white people can be blamed for the Apartheid, which happened solely in South Africa. That's just you being a racist. We all know that racism is still going strong, but you are showing racist feelings yourself by attacking white people in the manor that you are. You're not helping anything. Slavery is in the past, whites cannot be blamed for their ancestor's mistakes, and the Apartheid ended in 1994. Yes, people were wronged and it can never be changed, but you have to look forward instead of putting blame on people the way you are.
2006-07-31 06:10:49 · answer #5 · answered by Jon Ross 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes racism still exists against many races, it is wrong and some people are stupid. However it is also stupid to generalize that all white people are responsible for racism and that no other race has a part in it today.
2006-07-31 06:12:01 · answer #6 · answered by curls 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My family (on my dad's side, anyway) came over on the Mayflower. My mom's side came from Europe. They settled in the south and held slaves. I'm truly sorry for anyone who has ever been (or is currently being) enslaved, but I cannot be held accountable for the actions of my ancestors.
And black people DID sell the slaves. While white people did buy them, who do you think went out in the bush and gathered all the "wild" Africans to sell into slavery? Other black Africans...the more refined, educated, civilized ones.
2006-07-31 06:09:03 · answer #7 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Any white person who denies racism exists probably is a bit egocentric. They look at just THEIR experience. If they have never done or said anything they feel is racist, they think racism is a myth. They feel to see the institutionalized aspects of racism.
2006-07-31 06:03:57 · answer #8 · answered by Kiki 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well people just have such tendency to try to erase unpleasant things that happened in the past or are still happening or have effects now. But it is impossible, that is why there are still some emotions related to slavery.. and so there are some defensive attitudes or prejudices still found in our everyday communication.
2006-07-31 06:11:51 · answer #9 · answered by ne 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
because they're stupid, and racist, but they don't want to admit it to themselves- i'm white and personally, i don't think slavery ever really ended- look at the prison system- it's one of the most profitable industries in the country, and it runs of nearly free labor. and who dominates the prison population? black people
2006-07-31 06:02:33 · answer #10 · answered by list 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋