I'm not a fan of reparations. For starters I don't know where the money should go. However, whether or not one's ancestors were here during or after the time of slavery is inconsequential. We still enjoy a comfortable life that was made possible by the "peculiar institution". The fact remains that the United States was built on slavery, cheap foreign labor and the exploitation of women and children. I think one example of how we all benefit from this is the railroads and what they accomplished. The railroads into California were built by both foreign born Irish and Chinese. The working conditions for these men were atroctious, and in the case of the Chinese, they were even denied citizenship because of the Chinese Exclusion Act.
However the railroad was vital for business, agriculture and the growth of the American west. Let us not forget the slaughter and genocide of the people who were living here already.
Again all stuff you know, but even white Europeans who arrived on the boat yesterday in some way benefit from the past exploitation of people of color, poor whites and women in building up this nation.
I think that the conversation of race, class and gender in this country desperately needs to move forward, but I think it is now in white people's court to educate themselves and work to correct institutionalized racism and sexism. One way that oppression is codified into our minds and pedagogy is the constant demand that oppressed people explain their experience to people with power. I think that before a conversation about reparations can begin white folk are gonna have to get library cards, stop being so damned defensive and educate themselves. I think the first step is to realize that when someone talks about racism they are talking about power relationships and not necessarily an individuals opinions or actions. On a personal note, being in a relationship with an Asian man has shown me time and time again that there are privledges to being white that he does not enjoy. This doesn't make me a bad person, but it makes me a bad person if I take that privledge for granted and don't do what I can in terms of speaking out, learning when to shut-up and doing what little bit I can for equity.
Hmmm
However the railroad was vital for business, agriculture and the growth of the American west. Let us not forget the slaughter and genocide of the people who were living here already.
Again all stuff you know, but even white Europeans who arrived on the boat yesterday in some way benefit from the past exploitation of people of color, poor whites and women in building up this nation.
I think that the conversation of race, class and gender in this country desperately needs to move forward, but I think it is now in white people's court to educate themselves and work to correct institutionalized racism and sexism. One way that oppression is codified into our minds and pedagogy is the constant demand that oppressed people explain their experience to people with power. I think that before a conversation about reparations can begin white folk are gonna have to get library cards, stop being so damned defensive and educate themselves. I think the first step is to realize that when someone talks about racism they are talking about power relationships and not necessarily an individuals opinions or actions. On a personal note, being in a relationship with an Asian man has shown me time and time again that there are privledges to being white that he does not enjoy. This doesn't make me a bad person, but it makes me a bad person if I take that privledge for granted and don't do what I can in terms of speaking out, learning when to shut-up and doing what little bit I can for equity.