Acceptable to persecute white men?

Question

White men have undoubtedly persecuted many races and women over the years. However, it has now become acceptable to persecute white men. A remark from a newscaster, sports personality, or comedy series about a non-white male, or especially a non-white female, will be received with public outrage and likely means career suicide for the person who made the remark.

Yet, jokes, remarks, stereotypes about white men are considered funny, light-hearted and harmless. Listen, I think political correctness is out of control, but if that is the way of the world, then white men should not be the only exception to this rule.

Yes, my ancestors caused many of the problems of today. But that does not give anyone a right to degrade me and the fellow white males of today.

Answer 1

White men are the dominant group in North American society so yes it is considered fair to make light of them. It is not ok to make fun of a group that is oppressed or dominated unless you are part of that group. If you are part of the dominant group you can only comment on your own race or you will seem to be adding to the oppression. This is a simple fact and all you need to do is read Randall Kennedy's book to understand how that works. From you questions you seem to have issues with people of colour and other minorities.

Answer 2

You're right.
The Bully Mentality from 5th grade is alive and well in many adults today.
It is the way of things to swing from one extreme to the other.
All the previously unempowered groups are having a heyday with the previously powerful groups.
Black people are now free to make fun of Whitey in the media in ways that would get a white person hanged!
Women can make fun of men in ways that are degrading and hurtful, and it's considered "all in fun".
The elderly, the obese and the less "fill in the blank" people are all at risk now, as well.
This turn of events sucks, but I believe it is up to each individual to check their own attitudes and stop being so mean.
Whatever is not acceptable to the majority is what goes away--look at Political Correctness. Speak up, as you have here, and you'll see changes.
Good luck.

Answer 3

"White men are the dominant group in North American society so yes it is considered fair to make light of them. It is not ok to make fun of a group that is oppressed or dominated unless you are part of that group. If you are part of the dominant group you can only comment on your own race or you will seem to be adding to the oppression."

WHAT THE ****?!

Who the hell made that logical or fair?

I'm half black; does that give me the right to make fun of black people? Or is my blood too diluted to allow me this benefit?

What about somebody who is one-fourth black?

One-eighth? Exactly where is the line drawn for this allowance?

I personally think that's bullshit. I believe you should be able to make jokes about whoever the hell you want regardless of which group you're criticizing or joking about.

I ALWAYS make black jokes when I'm hanging out with my friends and discuss the glory of the "White Man™." Just because I'm making some jokes does NOT make me a racist. My biology teacher brought up a very good point in saying that the people that get overly offended about things like that are probably some of the REAL racists.

When did freedom of speech become freedom of speech under certain conditions that apply to some but not to others?

When? Was it a result of cultural relativism and '60's thought? Was it feminism? I'd really love to know...

To answer the question, it has, by Dierdre's answer, apparently become very trendy and acceptable to attack white males, who have by FAR contributed the most to our society, in media, academia, and other such outlets.

I'm glad to see that quite a few of the people on this board disagree with that kind of thought, though.

Answer 4

It should not be acceptable to persecute, punish, or degrade anyone just because they're different. Including white men. You create a "level playing field" by allowing everyone access to the tools required to achieve that level; when you try lower it, everyone else just gets dragged down with it.

Regarding free speach, I'd rather a society where everyone is free to speak their mind, whether politically correct or not; if a stranger hates me for who I am and is therefore likely to discriminate against me, like Tim Hardaway or Pat Robertson, I'd rather know it up front.

Answer 5

I am happy that this topic emerged from the usual trash today. The term for this is MISANDRY, and it is seeping into our culture like slime in the media, advertising, biased news, our schools, and even our churches. Pejoratives are directed against men, particularly white, in mainstream comedy, that would be criminal if directed toward any other demographic. Our fathers and brothers are not a nation of Homer Simpsons. To anyone who reads this, do America a favor today and go look up the word.

Thanks for asking.

Answer 6

Well, I will say this. Especially in the work place, white males certainly have to be careful about what they talk about. Talk about walking on eggshells. I think this political correctness thing only applies to white men.

On the other hand, I've seen women in particular get away with man hating comments that just simply wouldn't be tolerated coming from a white male in regards to women or minorities.

Answer 7

Yes, as a white and especially as a man, I feel that this is very true. Black comedians use the word "cracker" and "honky" like it's a big joke, but if a white comedian used the word "n*gger" (which I have to * out-don't have to * out the others, mind you) or any other derogatory term toward blacks, they're racist.

I've never seen a bumper sticker saying "women are not pigs, pigs are intelligent, thoughtful creatures" nor have I seen one saying "single men can't fart, they don't have the assholes until they're married." I have seen the reverse of both, however.

incidentally, as to the reference of karma, that's a pretty racist thing to say. Why should I have to deal with the karma of others who happened to have my skin color? That's the same argument a lot of Neo-Nazis use as to why the Jews are responsible for killing Christ.

Answer 8

The worst type of person to be is a caucasian male when it comes to rights. Some may scoff, but how many people get overstepped because they need more women in upper management, or people of foreign decent/ancestry so the company is not labelled as racist?

I believe in equality, but giving something to someone because of what they are is no different than not giving it to them because they are the exact same thing. All you've done is changed the proses.

Answer 9

waswisgirl1 you have shown a disgraceful amount of disrespect in your post, by labeling a bunch of supposed minorities, and denying the right of the OP to feel persecuted. Each person feels a certain amount of persecution in life, and its not up to you or I to decide for someone if that persecution is worse than something that happened to someone else. Persecution is persecution, no matter how you want to dice it up. The fact is, white people do have to be careful of everything they say, and as an african american woman, this bothers me. Sometimes I feel like people cant speak freely in the office, because they think I might take offense to every little issue, just because some people of my color capitalize on making big issues out of little issues. I am not a politically correct person, because political correctness is not morally correct. He has a right to voice his opinion, and its people like you who create frustration, because you are right there in the mix denying a person their right to feel.

Answer 10

Thats because white men tend to be Alpha Males, in charge, in control, while women and most other races tend to be needy ***** and dependant upon the judgment leadershipskills, skills and intelligence of white men (unless they want to go back to Africa living in a straw hut). So it is not funny to them to hear those powerfull people who are so important for their lifes cracking jokes about them and other races making funny remaks and about jokes targeting white men, well what does the tree care if a dog rubs onto it.

Answer 11

All this shows is that no one has overcome, prejudice is alive and well, something that will probably never be lost. Bicker as you may, but it hurts doesn't it, it truly hurts, no matter what color the skin or gender. Can't apologize for the masses, but then the masses still have not apologized, and don't look to.