Do you think white people living now should be punished for slavery or constantly accused of hidden racism?

Question

Is that the way you think racism will end?

Before I choose best answer I just wanted people to know what I was thinking. A few thought I was proposing this as a statement or rant rather than a question. To clarify I don't propose this. The reason I asked is whenever the subject of race comes up alot of people take this attitude. So I was wondering how prevalent it really was. Many of you were just plain racist in your responses claiming whites created racism and other nonsense. Those are the types of statements and attitudes that made me ask the question to begin with. I'm glad they revealed themselves to others who were less aware of how much of this anti-white racism existed. I also wanted to say that many of you brought up some very good points about equality and education and individual responsibility. So choosing best answer from several very good responses will be difficult.

My statements in response to some of what's been said: Whites didn't event racism and aren't the sole perpetrators of racism. Whites are a minority of the world's population and the minority of the population where most people in the U.S. live--coastal urban areas. "Reverse racism" is prevelant whereever we are a minority. So it's really impossible for us to have the most racists by the numbers and using common sense. I don't believe anyone should be held accountable for someone else's actions. I don't believe whites were the creators of slavery or the only slavers. And I don't believe blacks and Indians were the main victims of slavery throughout the years. Slavery was a capitalistic invention. Most whites are against it and were negatively affected by it so would not be proponants of it. I also don't think racism will "never end" because of this group or that group. Or that all of us whiteys have hidden racism that we need to accept. Racism happens to us too.

And by a white person saying we experience racism, that we want this acknowledged and wanting to discuss it...that's not racist.

Answer 1

It seems like that will only perpetuate racism.

I believe the only way to end racism is through education and mutual respect from all sides. Everybody in this country should stop telling blacks to "get over it," as far as slavery is concerned. We should stop telling Natives to "let it go" as far as their lands are concerned. I believe we should have more of a humble attitude, admit this country has made mistakes in the past, and find a way to work forward together.

I don't think "white people living now should be punished for slavery," because #1 not all white people had ancestors involved in that, and #2 why should we be punishing when we could be moving forward? We already fought one war over slavery that divided this country and families within it and inflicted horrible casualties on both sides. These weren't just white soldiers, there were black soldiers and Native American soldiers all fighting and dying. You would think that 150 years after that conflict we would have moved forward more than we have.

Answer 2

I suppose if I had been alive during the time when slavery happened (at least 140 years ago) I could be accused of collaboration if I didn't do anything to stop it. I don't believe that I am a closet racist, as I try to treat everyone the same. I don't have many black friends, but where I live and work, there are not a lot of black people there. As far as I can tell, pretty much everyone gets along, working side-by-side. While I haven't asked their opinions on this subject, I do not believe that any of my black associates believe present-day whites would be punished for the transgressions of their ancestors. If they were hateful toward me I would think they might feel that way. But unless all of my black associates are really good actors, I think we're on very good terms.

Racism will end when everyone realizes that no one is more important than anyone else. We're all the same on the inside. Only some minor differences in features and colors is what differentiates us. Just as my brother is not me or my dad, and my sister is not my mom, I am not my black friends, Travis and Terrence. We're all different from each other in our own ways. Color doesn't matter. Acting with respect toward one another is what matters.

Answer 3

No. What my ancestors did is what my ancestors did - I shouldnt have to pay for their sins. Besides its been over 200 years ... none of the actual slaves are alive anymore so why are people so concerned about it. Racism exists - that much I know is true - but just because it exists doesnt mean everyone of a particular race should be punished for something that only a few believe. Those who are racists are ignorant and uneducated - and recently I've come to the realization that those who scream racism all the time are ignorant and uneducated too.

Answer 4

To answer your question no I don't think white people whose ancestors participated in slavery should be held accountable. Makes no sense.

But let me say this, it is so interesting to find all these white people get "defensive" about this subject saying THEY are the ones being persecuted/punished on a daily basis. (I'm not saying all, I'm just basing this on the responces I've seen).

It's downright laughable. Maybe if they stop ignoring the fact that slavery did happen they would stop feeling so guilty about it. lol

Blacks do experience racism people, latinos experiences racism, as well as many others but you people just need to deal with it b/c you all seem to be denying the truth. It's a part of reality. Maybe not YOUR reality but for many others it is.

I accept the fact it happens to me in my life and many others but that doesn't stop me from pursuing my goals, etc yet you all have us "minorities" fit in a box with every single generalization out there. No wonder why racism won't ever end b/c you can't seem to get past the fact we are more than these "stereotypes" that you all are so fond of. What bs!

You have your history celebrate it I don't care but if I want to celebrate my heritage then don't piss your ******* pants! Get over it!

P.S. Not all Latinos are for immigration, seriously can't you come up with a better argument that doesn't have to do with these tired old generalizations???

.................smh

Edited to add:

I like your answer Sfsun, makes complete sense to me :).

Answer 5

I don't think that we should be punished now for slavery. We could not control what happened then. We were not even alive. We could not have controlled it had we been there. There is a lot of racism out there. There are a lot of bigots and they raise racist children. I don't think that racism will ever end because of that. Children don't care that other people are different. They only care that they have a friend. They learn to be racist.

Answer 6

I don't think white people should be "punished" for the existance of slavery in the past, however, I think it is up to us not to perpetuate racism. No matter what anyone thinks, we all have the same blood running through our veins. We all eat, sleep, walk and talk, but no matter what color your skin is, there is absolutely no reason, in this day and age (or any other for that matter), to be judged by the color of our skin!!! It says in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal, and it is my strong belief that God created us all in his own image. So why does racism still exist? It is because no one takes honest steps to obliterate it. But don't get me wrong. I don't think that racism can be ended just by white people. It will take a collective effort on any human being's part to decide that we will no longer actively participate, in thought, word or deed in a racist manner. Stop looking at a person based on their skin color. Get to know the person's character, dreams, hopes for the future. You'll see that they are no different than yours. Of course there are people that you may not see eye to eye with, but we encounter differences of opinion every day, don't we? And surely, good and bad people exist in any race. So it is up to each one of us to make a conscious effort to change our way of thinking and seeing people of other races. It is time for us all to become just one race and of course that is the human race.

Answer 7

Racism will not end until it stop being a taboo topic. I've learned that it is hard for white people to understand because they were never put in the position to have to recognize their race. All their lives, they have been told that white is the superior race, the model race, etc.

However, now that America has become a face of many colors, whites are starting to feel like the minority because "their land" is no longer recognizable.

I think once everyone work together or try to gain an understanding of what other races have been through, (not just African Americans, but Jews, etc.,) the world will continue to be a boiling pot of hatred.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

As a black female, I don't think whites should be punished. Even though slavery stopped a long time ago, segregation was ended just some years back & THOSE PEOPLE ARE STILL ALIVE, like my grandparents & yours & maybe even some of are parents.

Please don't get slavery & segregation mixed up.

I actually would love to have a interracial family one day & preferably with a white man. =] I've always had a like for other ethnic groups. So my stance is NO!!! lol. =]

Answer 10

No. My family didn't even immigrate to this country until long after slavery had been abolished and they emigrated from a country where the slavery of blacks was rare....they tended to enslave their own people or those they kidnapped from other nordic and european countries.

Aff. action is not a result of slavery, it is a result of racism and sexism. I think this country has come a long way in the last 40+ years and aff. action is a dated, no longer necessary practice.