This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
I actually had to do some research on this topic before answering, because I’ve been confused about it for a while. I just never took the time to read up on it until now. 🤷🏽♀️ People always saying black people cant be racist, and I’m always thinking...”but, how? What makes a racist thing they say any different from a white person saying something racist?” The difference is prejudice and racism are different, and I think that’s where the confusion comes from. (At least that’s where the confusion came from for me)
Black people can be prejudice (a prejudgment on a particular group), but not racist due to the fact of racism being the result of an unequal distribution of power based on race. Black people don’t have the tools or power to institutionalise racial oppression.
Black people can be prejudice (a prejudgment on a particular group), but not racist due to the fact of racism being the result of an unequal distribution of power based on race. Black people don’t have the tools or power to institutionalise racial oppression.
TurtlePink · 22-25, F
@Stark we do in Africa
@ProfessorPlum77 Looking at it I would say it depends on the type of racism we’re referring to. Which is odd to say. I was actually reading more on the cause/situation, and there are more than one definition of racism. There’s institutional racism which is what I described in my original comment, and if going based on solely that definition then really it would state that POC (people of color) aren’t able to be racist which would include anyone other than white. Under that specific definition, yes, black individuals or rather POC can’t be racist. The system is rigged in favor of white people, who have traditionally been in power. So, that is solely speaking on institutional racism and institutional racism only. People are capable of being racist in other ways, and that includes POC. (People of color) not just whites. Which is what is left out.
Because, racism is not just institutional, but individual. As individuals we all have the power to hurt one another. Power dynamics in our society alone shouldn’t exclude some races from being racist, although I think they should affect how we determine degrees of racism.
So, that’s my updated answer. Although, there’s still a lot of research and different view points on the matter. This was just me looking at both sides, and my some what educated opinion on it. There’s still more info I could gather on the matter so I don’t disagree with what you’re saying at all.
Because, racism is not just institutional, but individual. As individuals we all have the power to hurt one another. Power dynamics in our society alone shouldn’t exclude some races from being racist, although I think they should affect how we determine degrees of racism.
So, that’s my updated answer. Although, there’s still a lot of research and different view points on the matter. This was just me looking at both sides, and my some what educated opinion on it. There’s still more info I could gather on the matter so I don’t disagree with what you’re saying at all.
TurtlePink · 22-25, F
@Stark all this is just for living in the US right? Because out side of there, it changes when it boils down to who is able to oppress. I think the question on if Black people can be racist should be more specific because yes, we can be racist but to whom and where? I'm willing to agree that POC can not institutionally oppress if they are a minority in a country.
@TurtlePink Yeah, all that I read was just referring to the US, but I agree with you when it comes to who’s the minority and where you are. So, the general answer would probably just be yes to the question lol. I just wanted to read up on it, because I never understood when people would say black people cant be racist. I just never took the time to read up on it.