Why don't more people take classes on racism?

Question

I asked the question on why more white people don't take classes on racism while in college. Someone then asked me why I singled out white people. Firstly, history speaks for itself. Secondly, her response speaks to her ignorance and need for the class. She also said something about her generation not having anything to do with what went on during slavery. Well, I'm afraid that racism took place much more recent than the slavery period. I don't know how old she, but I can see why she doesn't want to be held accountable for her ancestor's actions. Black folks certainly are having to live with their ancestor's legacy. This is what is meant by "supreme thinking."

Answer 1

Why the hell would I do that? Must I get a degree in racism? How is that going to help me in life? I could rather study to become a doctor and help sick people. That would count as actually helping humanity. Can a person with a racial degree do that? Studying about racism would maybe get me a job with... the ACLU maybe or some activist group... whoopee!! Damn!!! Get a brain!

Answer 2

I wish they would take some classes on racism because from the looks of these boards and others, television and real life experience, they sure do need them.

Racism is the legacy from slave days, and both sides still live with it. Whites deny it's existence while simultaneously (and often subconsciously) participating in it; and black still deal with it on a daily basis. Racism does not need to be crazy mobs holding "White's Only" signs while peaceful protesters get hosed, and that is part of what needs to be learned by the majority.

Civil Rights was less than 50 years ago yet many whites insist on acting like all has been fair since the Emancipation Proclamation and therefore blacks should be where whites are in all ways. They deny their privileged position, white "superiority" from the founding of this country on gave to their ancestors and continues to give them to this day (is this country still not run predominantly by white males?); and deny the lasting effects of institutionalized slavery, Jim Crow and widely accepted racism had on our ancestors, the people that raised us and those of us living today. Not all white people are ignorant to this and many realize they have a privilege just by being white, just as not all black people are doing poorly but realize that equality has not been reached.

And again, privilege does not mean wealthy.

Answer 3

This denial here about racism occurring in the white majority is unbelievable!

It's like saying there's no homelessness, child abuse, drug abuse etc in the U.S. If anyone said these aren't serious problems in the U.S then you would think they were crazy.

As far as taking responsibility for slavery...If the country can remember Thanksgiving Day, it can remember slavery. They won't erase Thanksgiving day because it occurred so long ago. They wont erase Thanksgiving Day because it only applied to their ancestors - no, people in America TODAY claim Thanksgiving Day. Honoring our ancestors CANNOT be a one way street. It cannot just apply to celebrating European ancestry. It should also apply to acknowledging responsibility and acknowledging that slavery was also a significant part of U.S history and has also affected the descendents of slaves, whilst the descendents of the slave owners have remained rich.

Racism is a social problem. It's easy to say you are not racist, but if you aren't aware of your behavior then you could be in denial and have no grounds to say you aren't racist. More awareness of how it operates can only help solve the problem and classes sound like a good idea.

Answer 4

I don't care when it happened girl. I did not do it and I refuse to feel sorry and cry about something I didn't do.

In your case, I suggest you stop worrying about racism and its history and brush up on your computer studies, math, reading, science, English.... learning these things will will do you a lot more good than learning about how bad racism was and is.

Some food for thought. Gonna teach this in your racism class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFlHIqyLyi4

Sorry if I sound a bit hard, but I get tired of this stuff. I didn't do it. I am not responsible for what my ancestors did anymore than you are responsible for what your ancestors did.

If you think you are experiencing racism today: I, as a white person who works mostly with black people, experience things I consider racism against white people; the best way to deal with it is to just keep keeping on, doing your thing. Some people will do what they will do. You have to do what you have to do.

Answer 5

I never took classes on racism because ... [wait for it]



... I'm not a racist...

You want to continue to blame white people for something other white people did in a previous era... holding to the opinion that all white people are the same and responsible for slavery... that would be racism. There is no genetic predisposition for white people towards slavery. You are blaming an entire race for the actions of those who came before them... You do not fault the son for the actions of the father.

Perhaps you need to re-take that course on racism.

Answer 6

Racism is comments or gestures used against somebody of yet another shade. Whites, Blacks, & different Nationalities use this & they are able to't say they do no longer. yet what gets me is that if a white individual makes use of racial comments or gestures, then all and sundry blows up approximately it, yet while a black individual does this, no longer something gets reported. Its like it is okay for them to apply racism, yet they dont like it used against them. as long as human beings, no remember your shade, act this form there will be no end to racism. Alot of folk classify a great style of issues as racism, it relies upon on the guy, their race, how they have been raised & such. I dont think of any racial types are ok, yet all of us use them faster or later. even though in case you dont are conscious of it on the time. perhaps you dont understand what others of yet another race evaluate racist.

Answer 7

Why should anyone be held accountable for their family members actions? You state that history speaks for itself but you seem to be picking and choosing which history you want to stand out. Black slave owners were common. The British enslaved the Irish and English. The mayans were a cruel people and would brutally kill other types of people. Certain tribes of Native Americans would slaughter white immigrants upon contact. Racism is not an invented emotion or theory exclusive to white people. We are taught in America about the persecution of black people from day one.

btw: I love the hell out of Dave Chappelle but he can definitely spout off at the mouth about white people. I know I exhibit some classic white traits, that's what makes it funny. If you can't laugh at the typical stereotypes about your race, you'll be in for a life of misery. I can't dance to save my life and I like to hear Christmas songs done in the traditional white way but it doesn't mean I can't appreciate other races.

Answer 8

the only relevance history has to the present is as a guide a tool that we use to make sure that we humans move forwad collectively. so it is important to remember the past but you cant live in it. the place that our people(blacks) find themselves to collectively is a directly result of our history but where we find our selves individually is a direct result of our own actions. so instead of classrooms we need to reach out to each in the class room of live. I will not blame you for raping my mother just because your father did it. its not fair, we must always look forward remember what we as human s have been capable of doing to each other and vow to never step backwards we have all hurt each other in history we dont forget but we learn and help each other to heal. 1/2 billion people in the united states today the percentage of those whose ancestors were slave owners probably isnt 15% so it isnt fair to hold everyone accountable for something they found out about like you did none of us were here

Answer 9

I hate to break this to you but not all white people are racists and not all white peoples ancestors were slave owners. My ancestors were working their farm in Italy when slavery was going on here. Why don't you look a little more closely at your own ancestors in Africa who were selling their own people to the white slave traders? Slavery isn't as black and white as you may think.

Answer 10

Your question in and of itself shows your racism. Shall everyone be forced to take classes on the persecution of Christians? How about everyone being forced to take classes on the massacre of the Jews during the Holocaust? Perhaps you would force people to take classes on why so many blacks are poverty stricken and prone to violent behavior -- afterall, history speaks for itself.

Grow up child and stop trying to segregate this world when so many of us are trying desperately to unite it.