Why do some white people cry racism?

Question

If you don't then obviously I'm not talking to you. Hear me out before you start calling me a racist. Last Tuesday my school took the practice SAT's and afterwards this girl was complaining about the information part and how it said: White, African American, Asian American, Hispanic, and Native American. She thought that the part that said "White" was racist. And some white people are always complaining about Affirmative Action and politcal correctness, that stuff is designed for equality not racism. Can someone please explain to me (calmly) how you can call things like that out as racism?

Answer 1

The "white" thing on the pre SAT's isn't racist, it's just highly inaccurate and the same goes for all the other nationalities also. I can see how some white men would see affirmative action as racist, it includes everyone except for them. I really don't see political correctness as racism, I just think it's annoying.

Answer 2

In fairness of standardized testing, here is one point of view. Those who create these tests and other official forms and documents use these catagories simply because they are what society as a whole has determined the catagories to be. It's not saying that all people fit in a generalized group of four or five races, but it does help the test creators to establish statistics and general concepts of how different people test in different ways.

Now, many people (both those less educated, and those who even still have not finished high school) argue such as that because they don't know any better, and have not taken the time to know any better. Because a test denotes you as "white" does not mean you're being labeled for further judgements. In fact, the tests creators can't even match an ethnicity and name with the actual face.

As far as I can tell, the girl who caused such a ruckus over the PSAT is someone who hasn't learned why such generalizations have been made. If you end up taking sociology classes in post-secondary schools, you'll learn further why little things like this are done, and why it's not inteded to fuel racism. Until then, tell the student to relax!

Answer 3

Well, here is my view. Affirmative action isn't fair, I can say this while abstaining from my white side, because i fall under affirmative action because of my Puerto Rican descent. Affirmative action, is no longer needed, Originally it was, because of older generalizations still not accepting Africans and Hispanics. But now most children (can't speak for rednecks), but most people who go to my school, do not differenciate between black people white people and brown people. it isn't fair to white people, that black people be chosen over them simply for the reason that they are black, when they are eof equal rank in society, arguing for the black people, it is not fair if white people for the sake of being white are picked over them for colleges. But The PSAT form I saw this year was the most racistlyobnoxious thing I have ever seen.
Again I am Multiracial from almost every angle and i feel i can comment on this. That girl may have complained because "white" is such a common word and not peical sounding. What she should have complained of was the term "african american". If its going to be african american than i would like to be called "middle eastern european hispanic american". The term african american which since the 4th generation of black peopel coming tot his country doesn't even apply anymore. People should just be called by their color if they want a classification

White, Black, Brown, or orangish yellow

These tests are racist for many reasons and so is most of the baby boomer generation and the one before that.

people are people, thats how i see it, pigments are about the same as people with bad teeth,

But Political Correctness and Affirmative action, seem (to me) to put other races except for whites down. because they make them special and treat them special. Kind of how you don't hold retarded people in the same esteem that you would hold a genious.



My views

thanks for listening

Answer 4

First, remember who is taking the PSAT. At many schools is it required for 10th & 11th graders. These kids are between 14 and 17 years of age and basically mimic the opinions they hear at home. Their opinions, while completely valid, are often idealistic and dramatic. (I am a high school teacher and I hear these things like this all the time.)

Second, they balk at "white" the same way others would if "black," "brown," or "yellow" were listed. In general, it is not considered polite to refer to a person by the color of their skin.

Third, "white" is not an accurate racial description. "European" is even too general really. The problem arises out of the complex backgrounds in this country. Many people do not even know their heritage, and those who do usually do not fit neatly into a bubble on the SAT. I myself could have checked three separate boxes on the PSAT. Many students opt to fill in the "other" bubble.

Finally, Affirmative Action is a very separate issue from racism in my mind. On the surface, it seems like a very noble movement, seeking to assure that an equal number of students from diverse backgrounds have opportunities to attend certain colleges or academic programs. However, these are often elite positions that should be earned through academic excellence and community service, not by heritage. Unfortunately, Affirmative Action allows students with low achievement and "minority" heritage to be placed ahead of students with high achievement and "majority" heritage. Just as a student should not be excluded on the basis of their race neither should they be promoted by it. Success should not be determined by the color of skin but by the quality of one's character. (Sound familiar?)

Answer 5

I don't think that the "white" part is anymore racist than any of the other choices. I think that some people just go too far about being a minority. (you know, like threatening to sue left and right) and that makes some white people nervous.I don't mean to be stereotyping, but thise are the kind of people you always hear about. I don't think that affirmative action really affects much because most people are fair anyways, but I could see where it might feel a bit intimidating.

Answer 6

If it's considered racist to ask what you are on a job application then why shouldn't it be considered that on the information part of a test?
what is the use of this info anyway...for some statistic that says one race is better in math and another is better in history....
as far as P.C. goes...I think it makes racism worse...it makes us afraid to ask questions about each other to get to know each other...
sure ther are sensitive things about each race but if we sweep everthing under the rug then we can't understand each others feelings.
Unfortuanely every race has racist people not just whites.
I wouldn't call you a racist for your question...just someone who wants to understand someone else...this is why I think people are too touchy...they are looking for hidden racism sometimes when it's not even there.

Answer 7

gee, it actually sounds as though that girl was being racist feeling that she was white and therefor shouldn't be included in a race question because SHE was special.
filling out that bubble is just a way of classifing how certain races perform on the SAT's and if they are being disavantaged in their education over the other races and oh yes gender
affirmative action isn't just for race it's also for women so that they can have an equal chance and be represented in society fairly as well.
I assume it is fair to be bothered by them wanting to know your race but you don't even have to fill it out, it's not mandatory so why really complain.

Answer 8

Perhaps they feel that it's not a very 'formal' way of defining their race. Another word for white would be caucasian, and that seems more appropiate. The same principle applies to the African Americans, where it is an insult to call the the n word, whereas it seems more appropiate to call them African Americans or just black.

Answer 9

I can't help answer i just wanted to co-sign on the question. Like, affirmative action is designed to protect the minorities from the majorities. Level the playing field ya know. (Because we all know its who, not always what you know to get ahead.) And being born white in America is a great privilege, not saying its easy, all the time, but it is a advantage. OK answer her question, we are listening. :)

Answer 10

hey,
affirmative action bothers me because it does not actually help people get into school based on thier disadvantages, it does it based soley on race. this is implying that only minorities have disadvantages! many poor white children are not benifited by it while many rich minorities are.
it bothered me when i filled out the 'white' bubble on the psats because i knew that would preclude me from many of the scholarships they offer soley based on my race.