why is it ok for black people to say black power and its wrong for white people to say white power?

Answer 1

IT´S ALL WRONG.
IT IS RIDICULOUS TO THINK THAT YOU ARE SUPERIOR TO ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE OF YOUR RACE OR SPECIES. IT IS YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND YOUR ABILITIES THAT MAKE YOU SUPERIOR TO OTHERS AND THAT, IN ITSELF HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR SPECIES OR RACE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

Answer 2

As some others have indicated, the difference has to do with the fact that white people, in this country, have traditionally been in the majority and, as such, have had the "power", whereas the "black power" phrase was coined at a time when black people were attempting to gain equal rights. It was something of a rallying cry, so to speak, to bring blacks together in a cohesive group with a strong identity and to emphasize pride in their heritage. Black leaders, justifiably, wanted black people not to feel inferior and to understand that they should not accept a lesser status.

Beyond that, though, right and wrong are more determined, to me at least, by how the words are used. I can honestly say I don't like the word "power" much; I prefer "pride". Taking pride in one's heritage (black, white, or whatever) is a good, positive thing, whereas power may be construed as implying or endorsing violence.

On the other hand, having grown up during the civil rights struggle with the understanding that separate is NOT equal, I will admit that I am sometimes bothered a bit by knowing that having a Black Studies major is acceptable but having a White Studies major would not be. At those times, I remind myself that, again, it is because white people are already well represented across the fields of study. So, it is an effort to highlight accomplishments and to even the playing field somewhat rather than to shut out another group.

Ideally, maybe one day everyone will be treated like a person -- period, rather than like a white person, a black person, a Latino, or whatever, and such phrases will no longer raise people's hackles, as has happened for other groups. At one point in our history, Irish immigrants and those of Irish descent were discriminated against. For example, signs were frequently posted in businesses with job openings that read "NINA", meaning "No Irish Need Apply". Today, however, I don't believe anyone feels threatened or offended by seeing those of us with more than a little blarney in our blood wearing "the green" on St. Patrick's Day and buttons proclaiming "Proud to be Irish".

Answer 3

LOL.....I saw a funny T-shirt the other day. It showed a silhouette of an arm with a fist on the end and it said:

Honkey Pride...celebrating being "The Man" since 1776"

The reason I find that funny is because white people did not create "the man" black people who were unwilling or unable to help themselves created "the man"

I think it's antagonistic to say White Power because essentially it's poking fun at those who say Black Power in all seriousness.

Personally I don't get offended when black folks talk about black power. I think we all need to feel empowered.

Answer 4

It's all in the context.

Blacks were represed and enslaved, so giving power to black people was a very positive thing. So "black power" is a positive thing

White people used their self imposed superiority to control blacks, so "white power" is a very negative thing.


It's the same with any group of people who historically have been oppressed. Unfortunately a lot of people don't see these subtle differences and only see the phrases at face value and thing that black people using black power or women becoming empowered is racist/sexist as whites/men cannot use those same cultural references. This can cause even more racial tension and create more predudice. If people understood it more I feel some of these racial barriers would cease to exist.

It's seen as unfair and inequal, yet it is just not the case. History plays an enormous part in it.

Answer 5

Because us whites have always been the group of power, it was a way for the black panthers to express they could be powerful as well, so blacks use it as a way to feel empowered and skinheads that say white power use it in a way to try and show white dominance as a race, ignorant rhetoric actually.

Answer 6

Its not. You will find alot of apologists for black power, and some for white power. Its all just as racist. The same guy who says black power would be saying white power if he were white.

Answer 7

Because of the Jews and their media control. They have started to get paranoid after World War 2 that there may be another Hitler in the Bush, unaware the Americans saved their people. Now they want to control any form of white pride because they think that it would lead to another Holocaust.

Answer 8

Some people are meant to have feelings and rights and others are not.
The whites will pay for what they did to the blacks until the human race are all mulatto...All mixed race.

Answer 9

i don't think any ethnically identified power phrase is really okay. Why don't we move to human power and set aside strife to solve problems and make some genuine progress?

Answer 10

Cos we've already had white power (still do) and people are looking for a bit of a change.

Answer 11

ditto for luke's answer (the first one)
and also, white people already have power. so it's kind of belittling to emphasize it.