Comments on: Constructive Ways Of Administering The Cluebat

By: Whit

Whit — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:26:05 +0000

I think that POC do not have some magic insight into how racism affects other ethnic groups that they don’t belong to. Take, for example, the tensions between african and asian americans on the west coast or philly. Or indigenous americans and minority immigrants. There is conflict. We’re not all one big brownish tan monolith that think alike and have the same values. So just because a indian doesn’t feel that something is racist towards blacks does not mean that s/he does or doesn’t have a good understanding of how structural racism constructs stereotypes of and oppresses black people.

By: David

David — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:59:35 +0000

As one of your swedish readers, I find myself a bit confused; the blond girl in the video do not want to attend a “black club”.

I wonder if someone of my fellow commenters could explain the term. do you actually still have dance clubs that openly refuse entry to POC? Or is this some sort of euphemism for “club in black area of town”?

By: b@citup

b@citup — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 06:35:09 +0000

Sara, why do you assume that your ONE Indian friend represents all Indians or the opinion of most POC’s? If your ONE Indian friend feels that it’s not racism then that’s her INDIVIDUAL opinion about it! As an Indian and a POC myself I feel that YES it is racist! VERY racist! It’s the typical excuse given by many white people when racism is pointed out, “Well my (fill in ethnicity) friend wasn’t offended so how could it be racist?”

By: Logoskaieros

Logoskaieros — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:31:34 +0000

The what you said/are distinction is really helpful because instead of someone trying to comprehend how our entire society (and so therefore they themselves) is racist, you can focus on how words–regardless of intention–can have a history and a context that makes them not okay.

But ya, even after immersing myself in anti-oppression blogs and philosophy, I sometimes find myself jumping on the defensiveness bandwagon as soon as I am out of the margins and back in the center.

If anyone hasn’t seen Jay Smooth’s video:
http://www.illdoctrine.com/2009/06/

By: Emburii

Emburii — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:57:28 +0000

Kind of off-topic but on the recognition or privilege or lack thereof…

Trying to point out that a situation, action or word is racist or even privileged without people getting defensive is almost impossible. I tried to point out on Jim Butcher’s forum that his white privileged character calling a pitch-black animalistically described servant creature a ‘tarbaby’ in his newest book is kind of icky but, instead of recognition of discussion behind the problems and politics of that particular bit, got jumped on for calling him a racist and for worrying about such small problems when there’s bigger issues to worry about and blah blah blah.

By: STG7

STG7 — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:52:15 +0000

Why, why did I read the comments at the source? Why?

By: brownstocking

brownstocking — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:02:55 +0000

Is there a way to say, “that’s racist” (a la Jay Smoove) without it becoming instant denial? I mean, I don’t know how to say, “It’s racist, but I’m not saying you’re ‘grr’ racist just ‘la la la’ racist.”

You know what I mean? Just accept your privileged gaze and deal. Sometimes I really do want to say “you’re racist, but that’s okay, we were never going to be friends.” But that still invites a discussion I actually am not interested. I’ve been on anti-racist educator hiatus for a couple of weeks now, and I may not go back into the field. Not enough in-group folks pulling their weight.

By: PlusSizedWomanist

PlusSizedWomanist — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:22:28 +0000

Exactly. It’s because too many people think racist = cross burning KKK member who lynches people of color. No, that’s on the spectrum of racism, but not the ONLY instance of racism. When many people drag it on and consistently try to defend themselves, they are rationalizing their prejudice.

By: dianne

dianne — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:04:29 +0000

So glad to see you posting again!

By: Tyg

Tyg — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:04:50 +0000

Hi, this isn’t relevant to the post so much. I followed the Blogroll link from Alas a Blog and it went to the outdated wordpress version of this blog. I only realised after seeing the blog moving post was from April, that I was not at the current ABW.