A few notes before I get to the actual topic:
1. This isn't meant to be offensive -- I use the term 'white' to refer to, well, white people, rather than as a demeaning term.
2. When I speak about the ethnic groups, I'm referring to them in a general way -- I'm aware that there are exceptions, and that my generalizations might even be wrong. That's part of what I want to discuss.
3. In this post I'm talking about the ethnic groups in America; I understand things might be different in other countries, you're welcome to discuss those too.
4. I understand that this topic is a sensitive one for some people, so it might be prone to flaming; I'm not even sure if this topic is allowed in the first place (new to the forums) but if it is or if the debate gets out of hand, please feel free to close this.
5. Not that I want this closed, so please keep the talk civil!
Today, one of my floormates was complaining about how they can't make culture groups for whites (she's white), because the minorities complain about how they're racist. For one thing I just feel uncomfortable when people say that, because they're speaking about minorities in a negative way. I mean, it's sort of like stereotyping minorities in that they're all quick to accuse whites of racism. But does that anger also stem from possible perception of the minorities being racist themselves? If that were true, they (the whites) would be justified in being angry, because we (the minorities) would be hypocritical.
But anyway...why would minorities even be angry about the whites making a culture group in the first place? Do they think it's because the whites, by making a culture group, are putting themselves superior to other ethnic groups? But then that would mean that the minorities believe the same about themselves -- by forming an ethnic group based on a minority, they're saying they themselves are superior. But I'm not sure that's what the minorities are doing either. So is it a clash of perceptions? Of values? Is it that the whites believe these groups are made for a certain purpose, whereas the minorities have a different purpose for these groups?
Or maybe, people who form these ethnic groups were usually (not always) raised with their traditional ethnic values as well as (or instead of) "American" values. So by forming these culture groups, it's sort of like saying, "I feel a bit uncomfortable not being around people who don't understand the different values I have, so I want to make this group as a way for people with similar values to join together."
In that sense, would a 'white' ethnic group work? I mean, the white people in America have transformed from different ethnic groups (like the Germans and the Scottish in the colonial era) into one meshed-together subculture. I'd argue that this subculture is actually mainstream American culture but that's beside the point. Anyway, assuming this is true, how would a white ethnic group work? White people don't really exist as an ethnic group anymore, because those whites who have traditional values will have different ones from the next white. What common ground could an ethnic white group have for them to unite? What would they discuss in meetings? A cultural event for a 'white' holiday? First things that come to mind would be the holidays that almost all Americans celebrate. You could argue that Christmas and Easter are Christian holidays, but the way they're celebrated nowadays it's not even overtly religious anymore. So if there are no values that all 'whites' can share, what reason would there be for an ethnic group for whites?
So to sum up:
1. What are the reasons that some whites resent minority ethnic groups for and vice versa?
2. Are these reasons justified? Does such resentment even exist?
3. Why do ethnic groups exist? Is it a way for people with similar values to get together? Is it a way to make others aware of their values?
4. Is there a white subculture? If so, is it in fact mainstream American culture?
5. Would a white ethnic group work?
Thanks! I'm hoping to get a serious discussion started, as I want to find out the answers myself.
