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In reply to the discussion: It's disappointing to see "liberals" deny the existence of white privilege [View all]BainsBane
(53,027 posts)I had originally used the words "collectively ashamed" only to echo another post about objectification, which I appreciated. I don't actually believe in collective guilt, and I nor any one else here is responsible for the posts a few self-absorbed members. I therefore changed the title to say: It is disappointing to see "liberals" deny the existence of white privilege.
However, since you raised the issue of shame, I will address it, even though it isn't how I see the purpose of this OP. As I said, it was to show solidarity to DUers of color. Naturally you focus on yourself, which is in keeping with how you tend to relate to issues concerning the rights of subaltern groups. In actuality, I consider it pointless to try to impose shame for a variety of reasons. That, however, does not mean certain acts or positions are not shameful. You might believe in moral relativism, as though racism and equality were both equally valid. They are not.
Now, this post is in response to an OP telling people of color they shouldn't talk about white privilege because it makes some white people feel bad. Guess what really feels bad? Racism. White privilege exists. That is a verifiable fact. To deny its existence is reactionary. I also know that people more concerned with their own sense of entitlement than the experiences of people of color do not work to end racism; they perpetuate it, which is precisely what denying white privilege does. They enact white privilege for all to see: in telling people of color how they must frame their struggles, they seek to elevate their own whiteness above the rights of non-whites. Members of color experience that as racism, which means it is racism and most certainly is shameful.