Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences - This topic has 4 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 20 years, 9 months ago by
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As a white woman, I have recently become enlightened to the devastating effects of white privilege. I would like to know how I could become an effective ally with women of color in the fight against oppression.
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Name : Cantley M., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Episcopalian, Age : 44, City : Brunswick, State : ME, Country : United States, Occupation : Social Worker, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,Dear Cantley, Your question is so very much appreciated. It’s one I seldom hear. The answer too, is really very simple: Recognize that African-American people are just that–people too. Just as we are seldom inclined to lump all Caucasians into one group–sharing all tastes, interests, strengths, weaknesses, and personal attributes, we should try to be aware whenever we are doing just that when referring to African-Americans. We all come into this world as individuals–though we might share a similar skin shade, or a similar history, each of us have different perspectives on life, different values, different interests, different social and financial statuses, different ambitions. Whenever you come into contact with an African-American–try to make your mind a ‘tabla rasa’–a blank slate. Forget whatever stereotypes you’ve learned and EXPLORE that individual standing in front of you. Find out what HE/SHE likes, does not like, what HIS/HER history and perspectives are. If they appear different from yours, INQUIRE–find out why HE/SHE sees things differently from you. Also–encourage others to do the same! Don’t be a silent bystander to ignorance, racism and oppression. If you say nothing–you allow it to continue! Only if we begin to learn authentically about one another, can we begin to minimize the destructiveness we all experience in our society as a result of stereotypes. Best wishes!
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Name : Susan Pizarro-Eckert, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Multiracial--SHOCKED that's not an option here!, Religion : Unitarian, Age : 33, City : Brightwaters, State : NY, Country : United States, Occupation : Personal/Business Coach, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class,‘White privelage’ is usually brought to my attention whenever I question racial views of a person of colour, usually Black. I believe it’s often invoked in these cases because of the need to dominate racial discussions, perhaps with some merit as ‘Angry White Male’ syndrome is finding more and more converts and often for the wrong reasons. The best you can do is simply to listen to the greviances of people of colour and try to understand them the best way you can. Relate their feelings of discrimination to your own as a woman and try to find a common ground. Often, it seems to be invoked for sympathy as well as some guilt, and the best possible route for solid relationships is to pinpoint on that and give them what they want.
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Name : Seamus28253, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 22, City : Charlestown, State : MA, Country : United States, Occupation : Construction,There is nothing you can do.
User Detail :
Name : Malo22316, Gender : M, Race : Black/African American, Age : 28, City : Houston, State : TX, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College,
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