Anti-Racism or Anti-White
History repeats. Let the hunt begin30 total reviews
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
This is a very important opinion article to counterbalance the often angry racial rhetoric that is filling the airwaves and electronic media. I do believe that Black Americans have some important points, but some are taking it too far, and worse, it's being driven by forces beyond those with racial interests; rabble rousers, perhaps paid by extremists from both the right and the left, who would like to bring down not only America, but the world as we know it.
Some spags and suggested revisions:
with the internment of Japanese Americans in 30's,
-->
with the internment of Japanese Americans in the 30s,
[same with 50s and 80s]
Is there empirical evidence this person is___________ (fill in the blank, a communist, a fascist, racist or whatever)
-->
Is there empirical evidence this person is ___________ (fill in the blank, a communist, a fascist, racist or whatever).
If again you are met with anger, suspicion or violence. You may be in a witch hunt.
-->
If again you are met with anger, suspicion or violence, you may be in a witch hunt.
Once more, if you are met with refusal, anger, suspicion, insulted or violence. You may be in a witch hunt.
-->
Once more, if you are met with refusal, anger, suspicion, insults or violence, you may be in a witch hunt.
then they will also believe the reverse is also true.
-->
then they will also believe the reverse is true.
If you can mark an entire group as guilty for a shared physical trait,
-->
If you can mark an entire group as guilty for a shared physical trait or cultural distinction,
I do agree that "Silence Is Violence" is an extreme statement that puts undue pressure on the average (non-black) person, but I do feel that it is an important time to open a dialogue between white and black people, and people of other ethnic backgrounds who have felt disenfranchised or discriminated against. The dialogue has already begun within the church (where it has been successfully established for decades), which is moving in the right direction, with genuine expressions of empathy, acceptance and understanding, but not everyone is a part of a church or a multicultural church.
I think anyone with a heart beating inside them was greatly offended by the George Floyd video. I am white, but when I imagined my husband, or my brother (even though he's long deceased) being treated that way, I could understand the tremendous grief and outrage. Yet, it's unclear how much of that cruel officer's motivation was racial, and how much was due to a personal vendetta or other factors. No matter what the reason, it was a sick and horrible thing to witness.
Thank you very much for posting this honest, bold and challenging article.
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2020
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This is a very important opinion article to counterbalance the often angry racial rhetoric that is filling the airwaves and electronic media. I do believe that Black Americans have some important points, but some are taking it too far, and worse, it's being driven by forces beyond those with racial interests; rabble rousers, perhaps paid by extremists from both the right and the left, who would like to bring down not only America, but the world as we know it.
Some spags and suggested revisions:
with the internment of Japanese Americans in 30's,
-->
with the internment of Japanese Americans in the 30s,
[same with 50s and 80s]
Is there empirical evidence this person is___________ (fill in the blank, a communist, a fascist, racist or whatever)
-->
Is there empirical evidence this person is ___________ (fill in the blank, a communist, a fascist, racist or whatever).
If again you are met with anger, suspicion or violence. You may be in a witch hunt.
-->
If again you are met with anger, suspicion or violence, you may be in a witch hunt.
Once more, if you are met with refusal, anger, suspicion, insulted or violence. You may be in a witch hunt.
-->
Once more, if you are met with refusal, anger, suspicion, insults or violence, you may be in a witch hunt.
then they will also believe the reverse is also true.
-->
then they will also believe the reverse is true.
If you can mark an entire group as guilty for a shared physical trait,
-->
If you can mark an entire group as guilty for a shared physical trait or cultural distinction,
I do agree that "Silence Is Violence" is an extreme statement that puts undue pressure on the average (non-black) person, but I do feel that it is an important time to open a dialogue between white and black people, and people of other ethnic backgrounds who have felt disenfranchised or discriminated against. The dialogue has already begun within the church (where it has been successfully established for decades), which is moving in the right direction, with genuine expressions of empathy, acceptance and understanding, but not everyone is a part of a church or a multicultural church.
I think anyone with a heart beating inside them was greatly offended by the George Floyd video. I am white, but when I imagined my husband, or my brother (even though he's long deceased) being treated that way, I could understand the tremendous grief and outrage. Yet, it's unclear how much of that cruel officer's motivation was racial, and how much was due to a personal vendetta or other factors. No matter what the reason, it was a sick and horrible thing to witness.
Thank you very much for posting this honest, bold and challenging article.
Comment Written 27-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 27-Jun-2020
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Thank you very much. Your keen eyes and intelligent insights are greatly appreciated.
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You're very welcome, lancellot. It is so important to keep the dialogue going these days!
Comment from RPSaxena
Hello Lancellot,
Nice piece of Commentary and Philosophy N0n-Fiction having lucid as well as perfectly matching the theme phraseology, captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end with lively imagery at some places, and beautifully depicting its theme.
These lines are particularly noteworthy:
"5.Finally, justice requires everyone be treated as individuals, and responsible for their own actions. The sins of the father are not those of the son..."
Laudable Attempt!
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Hello Lancellot,
Nice piece of Commentary and Philosophy N0n-Fiction having lucid as well as perfectly matching the theme phraseology, captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end with lively imagery at some places, and beautifully depicting its theme.
These lines are particularly noteworthy:
"5.Finally, justice requires everyone be treated as individuals, and responsible for their own actions. The sins of the father are not those of the son..."
Laudable Attempt!
Comment Written 24-Jun-2020
Comment from BethShelby
i found this post and read it because of Ula putting a commentary post on her site. I think I agree with you. I don't feel that anything my ancestors did, thought, or felt, had anything to do with me. I am responsible for my own actions. I feel bad about the people who are still prejudiced because I think it is wrong but I don't feel bad about what my parents are grandparents felt. I don't feel I owe restitution for slavery. We've hopefully evolved. We are responsible for what we do about it today. I also don't believe in trying to change History. We can change the future but not the past. Let the monuments our forefathers put up stand for what was and not what is. It doesn't bother me at all to see a statue of someone whose philosophy I don't agree with today.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2020
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i found this post and read it because of Ula putting a commentary post on her site. I think I agree with you. I don't feel that anything my ancestors did, thought, or felt, had anything to do with me. I am responsible for my own actions. I feel bad about the people who are still prejudiced because I think it is wrong but I don't feel bad about what my parents are grandparents felt. I don't feel I owe restitution for slavery. We've hopefully evolved. We are responsible for what we do about it today. I also don't believe in trying to change History. We can change the future but not the past. Let the monuments our forefathers put up stand for what was and not what is. It doesn't bother me at all to see a statue of someone whose philosophy I don't agree with today.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2020
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Thank you very much. I'll have to read that.
Comment from estory
I think its a powerful condemnation of the mob mentality and the cultural revolution sweeping the country at the moment. You call it out for what it is: evil. Christ preached forgiveness of sins. He said don't look to take the speck from your brother's eye before you take the beam from your own. This movement is more like the Nazis or Bolsheviks than the people in it want to admit to themselves or the world. But the mob is an empowerment, and as such, it is seductive. The more the government lets them get away with it, the more it will carry on. What's next? Churches? estory
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2020
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I think its a powerful condemnation of the mob mentality and the cultural revolution sweeping the country at the moment. You call it out for what it is: evil. Christ preached forgiveness of sins. He said don't look to take the speck from your brother's eye before you take the beam from your own. This movement is more like the Nazis or Bolsheviks than the people in it want to admit to themselves or the world. But the mob is an empowerment, and as such, it is seductive. The more the government lets them get away with it, the more it will carry on. What's next? Churches? estory
Comment Written 23-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2020
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Thank you. Yes, the churches have already been targeted.
Comment from Ulla
Hi there, whatever your motives to write this, and I'm sure they are well meant, I think you've lost sight of the core for the reasons of the recent demonstration. I'm white, and it cannot be disputed that throughout history we've always suppressed those who didn't think or act like us as we perceived as our God given right at any one time.
I come from Denmark, a small country of no consequence you would say. But you'll be surprised . We were one of the worst slave dealers of the time. We ruled a few states in Africa and owned the now American Virgin Islands where we transported the slaves and exploited them. Until we sold the islands to America for 1 Dollar. Something to be proud of? I don't think so. And then we acquired Greenland and ruined the Inuit population in order to 'Civilise them'. Result? They drink themselves to death, have one of the highest murder rates in the world, criminality is rife as you would never know. All created in the name of civilisation Something to be proud of? I don't think so. We have put the black people in abject poverty, and as we all know, extreme poverty creates crime. I've travelled the world all my life and I've seen it first hand. I'm sorry I come over like this, but I feel very strongly about it. Kind regards. Ulla:))
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2020
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Hi there, whatever your motives to write this, and I'm sure they are well meant, I think you've lost sight of the core for the reasons of the recent demonstration. I'm white, and it cannot be disputed that throughout history we've always suppressed those who didn't think or act like us as we perceived as our God given right at any one time.
I come from Denmark, a small country of no consequence you would say. But you'll be surprised . We were one of the worst slave dealers of the time. We ruled a few states in Africa and owned the now American Virgin Islands where we transported the slaves and exploited them. Until we sold the islands to America for 1 Dollar. Something to be proud of? I don't think so. And then we acquired Greenland and ruined the Inuit population in order to 'Civilise them'. Result? They drink themselves to death, have one of the highest murder rates in the world, criminality is rife as you would never know. All created in the name of civilisation Something to be proud of? I don't think so. We have put the black people in abject poverty, and as we all know, extreme poverty creates crime. I've travelled the world all my life and I've seen it first hand. I'm sorry I come over like this, but I feel very strongly about it. Kind regards. Ulla:))
Comment Written 23-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2020
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I read your 'response' post. Interesting.
Thanks for reading and giving me your honest assessment.
Have a good one.
Comment from catch22
Hello, I was curious about your premises in your essay, but I fear you have presented a one-sided distortion of the motives for the protests going on all over the world. The demands of the anti-racist groups focus on SYSTEMIC inequities in Western societies. Such inequities come out in how we fund public education to the types of crimes societies incarcerate people for--as well as where "safe" or largely segregated neighborhoods exist. This is how societies socialize groups of people to deem "whiteness" as equated with "goodness" and everyone else is less than desirable. Most people in the US are not racist (or non-racist)--which is different than being anti-racist or a full throated racist. The difference here is how and if they choose to confront the system in place to maintain the status quo.
If you don't believe what I am presenting here, let me give you some anecdotal evidence that this applies to ANY colonial power--which is the best I can do right now due to the small sample sizes of the individual members of color in the groups I am mentioning. A good friend of mine has a doctorate in an engineering discipline. He lived in Europe for a while and tried to find work in the private sector. When he used his African first name, he received no interviews or call backs from companies. However, he started using an Anglicized name for his resume and he landed many six figure job offers. I hear stories like this more than I would like to admit. Look at the richest people in the world--mostly white and male. That's no coincidence. The point of acknowledging this fact is systemic is to try and make the system more equitable, rather than sweep it under the rug or ignore it. We study history not because we want to dwell in the past, but because we must learn lessons about the decisions and behaviors that resulted in certain outcomes that shape the current worldview.
While I agree that one must be careful to try and not get caught up in mob mentality, I also believe dissent is a very American act. Heck, the US was founded by dissenters. I am not in favor of violence either, but to try and characterize all of the protests as an unruly mob is not accurate. Many great thinkers and leaders from all walks of life are in attendance at these protests as well as young people. No, the anti-racist movement is not about victimizing anyone, but about trying to right the current injustices that begin with our socialization in Western societies.
So, in short, the four stars is because this essay is very one-sided and does not have enough balance to be fair minded or persuasive. You will likely have some people agree with you about this, but those folks likely did so before reading your essay. Can you convince someone on the fence about joining a protest, or better yet, someone who is an avowed anti-racist to see the protests differently? That's the challenge for this essay.
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2020
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Hello, I was curious about your premises in your essay, but I fear you have presented a one-sided distortion of the motives for the protests going on all over the world. The demands of the anti-racist groups focus on SYSTEMIC inequities in Western societies. Such inequities come out in how we fund public education to the types of crimes societies incarcerate people for--as well as where "safe" or largely segregated neighborhoods exist. This is how societies socialize groups of people to deem "whiteness" as equated with "goodness" and everyone else is less than desirable. Most people in the US are not racist (or non-racist)--which is different than being anti-racist or a full throated racist. The difference here is how and if they choose to confront the system in place to maintain the status quo.
If you don't believe what I am presenting here, let me give you some anecdotal evidence that this applies to ANY colonial power--which is the best I can do right now due to the small sample sizes of the individual members of color in the groups I am mentioning. A good friend of mine has a doctorate in an engineering discipline. He lived in Europe for a while and tried to find work in the private sector. When he used his African first name, he received no interviews or call backs from companies. However, he started using an Anglicized name for his resume and he landed many six figure job offers. I hear stories like this more than I would like to admit. Look at the richest people in the world--mostly white and male. That's no coincidence. The point of acknowledging this fact is systemic is to try and make the system more equitable, rather than sweep it under the rug or ignore it. We study history not because we want to dwell in the past, but because we must learn lessons about the decisions and behaviors that resulted in certain outcomes that shape the current worldview.
While I agree that one must be careful to try and not get caught up in mob mentality, I also believe dissent is a very American act. Heck, the US was founded by dissenters. I am not in favor of violence either, but to try and characterize all of the protests as an unruly mob is not accurate. Many great thinkers and leaders from all walks of life are in attendance at these protests as well as young people. No, the anti-racist movement is not about victimizing anyone, but about trying to right the current injustices that begin with our socialization in Western societies.
So, in short, the four stars is because this essay is very one-sided and does not have enough balance to be fair minded or persuasive. You will likely have some people agree with you about this, but those folks likely did so before reading your essay. Can you convince someone on the fence about joining a protest, or better yet, someone who is an avowed anti-racist to see the protests differently? That's the challenge for this essay.
Comment Written 22-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2020
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Thank you for reviewing my commentary and opinion. I hope you get a chance to review the sites I listed for the post I listed in the 'Commentary' category NOT the Essay category.
Thank you for your careful review.
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I apologize for the lower rating. I was reading this as an essay that needed balance. I will upgrade accordingly.
Comment from Justin Chopin
This was a very strong piece of prose Lancellot. I thought the points you made were very good especially the one you made about not being able to change the past and that we as human beings are not responsible for the inequities of our ancestors. Impressive detective work.
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2020
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This was a very strong piece of prose Lancellot. I thought the points you made were very good especially the one you made about not being able to change the past and that we as human beings are not responsible for the inequities of our ancestors. Impressive detective work.
Comment Written 22-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2020
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Thank you very much.
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you're welcome.
Comment from Margaret Bednar
Thank you for writing this! I read it twice and will again. I must internalize this and ponder it and try and use it in my conversations. I like that you link the sources. I agree with everything. I'm bookmarking this.
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2020
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Thank you for writing this! I read it twice and will again. I must internalize this and ponder it and try and use it in my conversations. I like that you link the sources. I agree with everything. I'm bookmarking this.
Comment Written 22-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2020
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Thank you very much.
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Masterful work--powerful, eloquent, and spot on. Clearly, per the footnotes, you did meticulous research to back your statements. I invite you to read my piece NON SEQUITUR--no pay attached but it is a quickie--satirical letter to editor re absurdity ensuing from the murder of George Floyd. Cheerssssss. LIZ
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2020
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Masterful work--powerful, eloquent, and spot on. Clearly, per the footnotes, you did meticulous research to back your statements. I invite you to read my piece NON SEQUITUR--no pay attached but it is a quickie--satirical letter to editor re absurdity ensuing from the murder of George Floyd. Cheerssssss. LIZ
Comment Written 21-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2020
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Thank you very much.
Comment from Becky Kern-Taylor
What a great synopsis on the present situation in our country. As a corrections officer, I'm sure he has experienced a lot. I wish I could print out your offering and show it to many.
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2020
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What a great synopsis on the present situation in our country. As a corrections officer, I'm sure he has experienced a lot. I wish I could print out your offering and show it to many.
Comment Written 21-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2020
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Thank you very much.
