I think the division between white and black America is a false one, and is the cause of white America's apathy towards black America. I also find it funny that the people decrying white America's apathy are the same people who uphold the division- for example, people that hate Iggy because she sounds too black.
I-i-i-in what way The cause of the apathy is stems from racism (and to a lesser extent, classism), not a division that "doesn't exist" (it totally does) There's a difference between hating Iggy because she sounds "too black" and hating Iggy because she appropriates the shit out of hiphop culture and people eat it upI think the division between white and black America is a false one
the cause of white America's apathy towards black America.
People that hate Iggy because she sounds too black
Or just don't respond to it. I have been in foxy's shoes many times. Unwinding white supremacy, racism and its rhetoric is not any fun for anyone. It is a complicated but repetitive task. And it is a task that isn't your job. Even that had to be explained to me. I wouldn't say "sorry" as I would say "thank you." It is very bodhisattva-like behavior, but it only pays out patience. Much like giving art to publications for free yield "exposure." But there are a lot of us white peoples that are slow learners. We were told we are actually superstars. That we deserve everything no matter what the historical cost. That is really difficult position to get someone out without serious life-altering events. Perhaps imprisoning the entire population for one year that is served by de facto white supremacy can't be done. But it would surely be the fastest.
This is probably a stupid question, but why are you sorry? EDIT: Because it's another racism argument? That's probably tiring, so that would make sense.
Yup, you guessed it. Because it's the same argument he has to make over and over again and everyone who he has to have this discussion with thinks they are so "enlightened." It's like saying "sexism only exists because we believe there is a difference between sexes." Not true... Stupid argument.
The only reason black and white America are considered separate is that we keep them separate. Every news story that focuses on skin color when racism is not the reason is why it's there, dividing American culture between black and white is the reason why it's there. Our focus on race when racism is not present is why the division is there. The barrier is false because the only reason it exists is our focus on it. The cause of the apathy stems not from racism innate in society (while I don't deny there are avid racists out there, having dealt with them myself, they are not sufficient in number to account for a society wide trend). The cause of the apathy comes in a mixture of two parts- the false barrier of black and white America, and classism. The false barrier is responsible for the apathy of white America not because white Americans are racist against black Americans, but the division causes each side to view the other as alien and strange. One group is not as apt to help another group that they see as outsiders- this has less to do with race as it does a basic human instinct to protect their group first and foremost. Classism, I argue, is the bigger cause of white America's apathy- or rather, Rich America's apathy.More accurately phrased, White America is not apathetic to Black America, Rich America is apathetic to Poor America. The rich in America, whether black, white, straight, gay, male or female, do not help the poor in America because of the acutely American idea that any person, no matter their status, can help themselves if they only work hard enough, that every American is simply a temporarily embarrassed millionaire. Meanwhile, the poor in America are falling behind in education and are sinking further and further into poverty and crime- black, white, latino, gay, or straight. Cultural appropriation is a flawed idea, and very Americocentric. Disrespect of a culture, mocking it and wearing it without a thought of its history or meaning is bad. It's a really douche move. But it's not disallowed, and it's not a reason to bar people from doing it. However, respecting a culture, learning about it and partaking in it is never a bad thing. In fact, it's a very good thing! This is why I believe it's a flawed idea- the idea of cultural appropriation never distinguishes between respectful partaking of a culture and disrespectful trashing of it. It encourages separation and division.I-i-i-in what way
The cause of the apathy is stems from racism (and to a lesser extent, classism), not a division that "doesn't exist" (it totally does)
There's a difference between hating Iggy because she sounds "too black" and hating Iggy because she appropriates the shit out of hiphop culture and people eat it up
OK I'm not going to address your whole comment because I don't have the time or the energy, but this paragraph struck me as particularly silly: THAT IS RACISM. When white people view black people as "alien and strange," when white people do not help black people because they're "outsiders," they're being racist. That human tendency to protect the immediate social group? Yeah, that's the evolutionary root of racism. It seems like you're trying to say that white people don't hate black people. But that is not the only way in which racism manifests itself. The first step to apathy about someone else's situation is dehumanization-- to put it another way, viewing them as "alien and strange."The false barrier is responsible for the apathy of white America not because white Americans are racist against black Americans, but the division causes each side to view the other as alien and strange. One group is not as apt to help another group that they see as outsiders- this has less to do with race as it does a basic human instinct to protect their group first and foremost.
Well, as I said in the second part of my response, I don't view it as white people not helping black people as much as it is rich people not helping poor people. Skin color doesn't matter. I'm sure there are some racists out there saying 'I won't help that nigger, he's black!' but they aren't large enough in number to effect any social trends.