The White Persecution Complex

[Notbotswana]

Fox News and the GOP have long understood and whipped up this perception. It really enhances and rounds out the GOP's famous Southern Strategy.

[Resawa]

This was how my dad felt

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Source?

Being white in America is source enough.

Well, I'm white in America.

*checks self*

Nope.

[Soviet Haaregrad]

If the mostly African-American Nation of Islam had their way... we would see whites dangling from trees. Of course that's why the Nation of Islam is a hate group according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Islam only hates the west for our freedoms, but mainly religions, they execute pretty much any Christian, Jew, or any one there. But it's only "The Extremists".

NOI aren't actually Muslims. They're they're own religion, they're as close to Islam as Christian Identity (the white pride movement) is to Christianity.

[Greed and Death]

Being white in America is source enough.

Well, I'm white in America.

*checks self*

Nope.

Your just in denial.

[Norstal]

When a public or private institution either conspire, legislate, enforce, etc. racism, that'd be it.

Okay, that is different then I thought it is. By racism do you mean racial discrimination? I am not arguing with you, I sincerely want to understand what you are saying.

Yes. Institutionalized racial discrimination.

For merely the fun of it, I will try and prove this hypothesises: Institutional racial discrimination against whites exists in the US, even if small.

Off the cuff attempts; submitted for your consideration
BET: Most of their actors are black, and most of the recipients of their awards are black

No. They merely try to promote black culture. Consider also Bieber, a white person as I'm sure you all will agree, won several BET awards. They do not exclude other races. Just so happens black people promote black culture more than non-black people.

Black Panthers: any white members?

Yes. That is one example.

KKK-Neo Nazis: Many of these groups have narrow definition of white, so that many white people such as white Jews, actual Caucasians, Italians, German Catholics etc.

Yes, that is another example.

[Mavorpen]

It's true. In modern America, minorities are given a free pass on everything while whites are left on our own with racist policies like affirmative action.

Source?

One time, I stole a candy bar and got away with it.

Clearly this means I'm privileged because I'm black.

[Norstal]

It's true. In modern America, minorities are given a free pass on everything while whites are left on our own with racist policies like affirmative action.

I'm a minority. Where is this free pass you people talking about?

[Russadonia]

It's true. In modern America, minorities are given a free pass on everything while whites are left on our own with racist policies like affirmative action.

I'm a minority. Where is this free pass you people talking about?

Seriously. I'm white and I've been wondering about this free pass thing myself.

[Nazi Flower Power]

+1

When you can be murdered in the street for the crime of driving while white and the cops refuse to do anything about it feel free to complain. Until then please realize how much of a fool you are.

Anyone who seriously worries about that happening to them is just being paranoid, no matter what race they are. Even in places where "driving while black" is a recurring issue, it gets you pulled over, not murdered and nothing done about it.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

Well, I'm white in America.

*checks self*

Nope.

Your just in denial.

Okay.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Sometimes I feel like I put myself down for being white, if that makes sense. I feel like kind of guilty for my race being responsible for so much hate, and suffering, and there's nothing I can do about it and I feel like I deserve less for it.

I'm not being sarcastic here, lol it's an actual problem. Anyway, I don't think White Persecution is institutionalized. Today in school, we're learning about the 1960s in America, and we had to make a sign about "reverse discrimination" and I was so tempted to write "not a thing" on the poster.

Other races are responsible for just as much hate and suffering. If you don't think so, you haven't studied their history in enough depth.

Of course, a lot of people haven't studied non-Western history in enough depth...

[Russadonia]

Sometimes I feel like I put myself down for being white, if that makes sense. I feel like kind of guilty for my race being responsible for so much hate, and suffering, and there's nothing I can do about it and I feel like I deserve less for it.

I'm not being sarcastic here, lol it's an actual problem. Anyway, I don't think White Persecution is institutionalized. Today in school, we're learning about the 1960s in America, and we had to make a sign about "reverse discrimination" and I was so tempted to write "not a thing" on the poster.

Other races are responsible for just as much hate and suffering. If you don't think so, you haven't studied their history in enough depth.

Of course, a lot of people haven't studied non-Western history in enough depth...

Then you'd be missing the point. We aren't talking about racism in other parts of the world, the article and discussion is about racism in the United States. In the context of American History, no other race is collectively as responsible as whites are. This is the undeniable truth.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Ok, ok everyone, I am white, I am going to be honest, if there are Nazi's out there or something, than cover your eyes.
WE DESERVE TO BE KNOCKED DOWN A PEG OR TWO, ALL FLAUNTING ABOUT COMPLAINING THAT WE AREN'T COMMENDED FOR OUR EVERY ACTION, WE NEED TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE, THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT CAN GET KILLED FOR WEARING CERTAIN STYLES OF CLOTHING FOR GOD'S SAKE, AND HERE US WHITE PEOPLE WHO HAVE IT EASY COMPARED TO THEM, THAT SINCE WE ARENT GIVIN A TAP ON THE BACK FOR OUR EVERY ACTION

AND THAT MAKES IT OK WHEN PEOPLE BLAME US FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG IN THEIR LIFE, EVEN THE STUFF THEY DO TO EACH OTHER, HOW? HOW DOES US NOT GETTING HARASSED BY THE COPS EVERY TIME WE GO OUT MAKE IT OK FOR PEOPLE TO DENY THE EXISTENCE OF ANYTHING POSITIVE THAT EVER CAME OUT OF EUROPE OR WHITE AMERICA?

ALSO, WHY ARE WE USING ALL CAPS? AND I THINK YOU MEAN "NAZIS" WITHOUT THE APOSTROPHE.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Other races are responsible for just as much hate and suffering. If you don't think so, you haven't studied their history in enough depth.

Of course, a lot of people haven't studied non-Western history in enough depth...

Then you'd be missing the point. We aren't talking about racism in other parts of the world, the article and discussion is about racism in the United States. In the context of American History, no other race is collectively as responsible as whites are. This is the undeniable truth.

I wasn't replying to the OP. I was replying to Pensalum, and I think racism in other parts of the world is relevant to their point.

[Euronion]

So people think they're being persecuted because of their experiences, that's nothing new. People talk about the "Christian Persecution Complex" but I cannot tell you how many times I've heard atheists say that they are persecuted against, how Muslims believe they are persecuted against in their own Sharia law countries. People are inclined to believe they are victims of persecution because of their experiences. I live in a very diverse school and there is no tolerance for racism, homophobia, or sexism, that is unless you want to bash on men, white people, and Christians. With the debate on Affirmative Action it is not that hard to see why white Americans would view themselves to be more persecuted than other groups. It may not be the reality, but it's what they perceive. Humans have issues looking at things outside themselves and thinking "I don't have it bad, I have no troubles." It's easy to say but most humans like to believe they are in the center of some kind of struggle against the Big Ebil Government or the Big Ebil Republicans/Democrats or the Big Ebil Christians/Atheists. All of it boils down to the fact that humans are naturally inclined to believe that they individually are important and that their struggles represent the struggle of others. I would say stop calling it "The <insert human trait here> Persecution Complex" and start calling it what it really is: natural human behavior.

To reference another person's post earlier in the thread: People think they are the center of attention, News at 7

[Russadonia]

Then you'd be missing the point. We aren't talking about racism in other parts of the world, the article and discussion is about racism in the United States. In the context of American History, no other race is collectively as responsible as whites are. This is the undeniable truth.

I wasn't replying to the OP. I was replying to Pensalum, and I think racism in other parts of the world is relevant to their point.

I got it. That still doesn't change the fact that many people in this thread have tried to use examples of racism in other parts of the world in order to downplay racism in the US, which wouldn't be constructive and dodges the point entirely. Pensalum feels guilty for the asshole things white people have done, white guilt is not a new concept. However, just because the Japanese empire did some pretty atrocious things does not mean whites shouldn't at least acknowledge their racist history. I'm not saying anyone should feel guilty, but I'm saying that white guilt has nothing to do with racism by South Koreans, Egyptians, Panamians, or whoever else.

[Kylia]

NSG and race. Never gets old.

Here is my radical proposal.

Let us be judged as an individual. Not be judged by potential ancestors with similar melinin ratios? M'kay?

[Jamjai]

I'm a minority. Where is this free pass you people talking about?

Seriously. I'm white and I've been wondering about this free pass thing myself.

I'm not white

[Nazi Flower Power]

I wasn't replying to the OP. I was replying to Pensalum, and I think racism in other parts of the world is relevant to their point.

I got it. That still doesn't change the fact that many people in this thread have tried to use examples of racism in other parts of the world in order to downplay racism in the US, which wouldn't be constructive and dodges the point entirely. Pensalum feels guilty for the asshole things white people have done, white guilt is not a new concept. However, just because the Japanese empire did some pretty atrocious things does not mean whites shouldn't at least acknowledge their racist history. I'm not saying anyone should feel guilty, but I'm saying that white guilt has nothing to do with racism by South Koreans, Egyptians, Panamians, or whoever else.

If someone says that white people "deserve less" because of our racist history, then comparing our history to others is not missing the point at all. By saying white people "deserve less," that's already creating a comparison of one race against another and taking the discussion beyond the simple question of, "Have white people ever done anything that sucked?"

[Russadonia]

So people think they're being persecuted because of their experiences, that's nothing new. People talk about the "Christian Persecution Complex" but I cannot tell you how many times I've heard atheists say that they are persecuted against, how Muslims believe they are persecuted against in their own Sharia law countries. People are inclined to believe they are victims of persecution because of their experiences. I live in a very diverse school and there is no tolerance for racism, homophobia, or sexism, that is unless you want to bash on men, white people, and Christians. With the debate on Affirmative Action it is not that hard to see why white Americans would view themselves to be more persecuted than other groups. It may not be the reality, but it's what they perceive. Humans have issues looking at things outside themselves and thinking "I don't have it bad, I have no troubles." It's easy to say but most humans like to believe they are in the center of some kind of struggle against the Big Ebil Government or the Big Ebil Republicans/Democrats or the Big Ebil Christians/Atheists. All of it boils down to the fact that humans are naturally inclined to believe that they individually are important and that their struggles represent the struggle of others. I would say stop calling it "The <insert human trait here> Persecution Complex" and start calling it what it really is: natural human behavior.

To reference another person's post earlier in the thread: People think they are the center of attention, News at 7

Your statement is not entirely represented of the truth because it manages to erase persecution that does often exist, just asked James Byrd, Jr., or Matthew Shepard. I do agree that most persecution is imagined or perceived, especially by whites and Christians, but we have so far failed to examine why a minority may perceive themselves as persecuted, which is the result of a history of persecution on the part of straight, white, Christians.

[Nazi Flower Power]

Here is my radical proposal.

Let us be judged as an individual. Not be judged by potential ancestors with similar melinin ratios? M'kay?

It would be nice.

[Russadonia]

I got it. That still doesn't change the fact that many people in this thread have tried to use examples of racism in other parts of the world in order to downplay racism in the US, which wouldn't be constructive and dodges the point entirely. Pensalum feels guilty for the asshole things white people have done, white guilt is not a new concept. However, just because the Japanese empire did some pretty atrocious things does not mean whites shouldn't at least acknowledge their racist history. I'm not saying anyone should feel guilty, but I'm saying that white guilt has nothing to do with racism by South Koreans, Egyptians, Panamians, or whoever else.

If someone says that white people "deserve less" because of our racist history, then comparing our history to others is not missing the point at all. By saying white people "deserve less," that's already creating a comparison of one race against another and taking the discussion beyond the simple question of, "Have white people ever done anything that sucked?"

Which is precisely why I pointed out the concept of White Guilt. They are saying we deserve less because of our past racist actions, which are completely independent of other group's perceived racist actions. What they should be doing to feel less burden is not to rationalize those actions by comparison, but rather by analyzing our racist actions in society and attempting to correct the situation. Therefore, other societies are irrelevant.

[Nazi Flower Power]

If someone says that white people "deserve less" because of our racist history, then comparing our history to others is not missing the point at all. By saying white people "deserve less," that's already creating a comparison of one race against another and taking the discussion beyond the simple question of, "Have white people ever done anything that sucked?"

Which is precisely why I pointed out the concept of White Guilt. They are saying we deserve less because of our past racist actions, which are completely independent of other group's perceived racist actions. What they should be doing to feel less burden is not to rationalize those actions by comparison, but rather by analyzing our racist actions in society and attempting to correct the situation. Therefore, other societies are irrelevant.

"Deserve less" is a comparison, not a generic statement that we (and maybe everyone else too) should be humble.

[Russadonia]

NSG and race. Never gets old.

Here is my radical proposal.

Let us be judged as an individual. Not be judged by potential ancestors with similar melinin ratios? M'kay?

Sure. We can start this as soon race no longer correlates with socio-economic status, education, crime and other factors which are the direct result of centuries of institutionalized oppression. M'kay?