Comments on: “The focus on individuals as racists is a dangerous distraction from the real systemic problem of racism”

By: Maneuvers to Avoid Confronting Racism | illvox: anarchist people of color, race, anarchy, revolution

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:02:33 +0000

[...] White Noise Share and [...]

By: CJ

CJ — Tue, 20 May 2008 01:20:29 +0000

Maia -

Wondering how you were and what was up with White Noise. Haven’t seen an update in a while. Need some help? Need some encouragement? Need some motivation?

I’m here.

Much love,

CJ.

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:09:34 +0000

TBM – no one gets to be “recovered” from racism. Or “inoculated.” That’s a pretty privileged way of thinking about it, as a kind of passing illness for which only the enlightened can spread the vaccine. It also puts it on an almost entirely interpersonal level. I challenge you to rethink that.

Christie – actually, there’s often LOTS more one can do than just “be aware.” Just a few things that come to mind are

- speaking out in defense of POC
- naming racism when you see it
- actively being antiracist at your place of work
- challenging other white people on their racism, and holding them accountable.

“Often all we can do is be aware” reads to me like the uttermost of liberal paralysis and enabling.

By: A Book With Wings

A Book With Wings — Mon, 05 May 2008 05:09:52 +0000

wow. great blog here.

By: Christie

Christie — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:58:38 +0000

Wow. Powerful stuff. Thanks!

I know I’ve fallen into many if not all of these traps. When I finished reading, I found myself tempted to throw up my hands (though not to the extent of thinking I may as well join Aryan Nations, LOL!). Is the conclusion that often all we can do is be aware?

By: The Bear Maiden

The Bear Maiden — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 06:37:10 +0000

OK, so you’ve made me laugh, cuz I’ve heard several of these. And… I’ve even heard some of them from brownfolk.

My freind the Fat Lady posted a video of Tracey Morgan from a recent SNL ep, in which he declares “We are a racist country. The End!” Racism is a disease, with symptoms and everything… and it’s contagious as hell, and we all have it.

But I hope that maybe some of us have recovered… scarred maybe, some lingering effects maybe, but hopefully we’ve recovered and are now inoculated against it and can go around helping to inoculate others…

Great post.

By: darkdaughta

darkdaughta — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:48:31 +0000

This works for so many people trying not to deal with the reality that they can oppress no matter how nice they try to be. It works for men, for heterosexuals, for able-bodied people, for married people for sexually conservative people…for so many different people with privilege.

I’ve seen and heard all of this before sometimes coming out of people I frankly thought knew better.

Thanks for posting this.

By: erika

erika — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:14:49 +0000

heh heh. Nice one.