Apparently, according to some of the posters here, the mere act of acknowledging the existence of racism, and taking the time to consider the implications of that fact, makes you a racist. In this mindset, the only way to avoid being racist (and I’m not convinced that everyone here thinks that is a worthwhile goal) is to completely clear your mind of any thought of or reference to race or racism.
Like Stephen Colbert, who can’t tell whether people are black or white. He’s color-blind, ha. (Pssst! He’s satirizing YOU GUYS! Especially Peter Bubblehead.)
Having had up close and personal experiences with the way white people and black people interact, I can tell you bubble-dwellers that when you’re black, the world doesn’t let you forget that for very long. If it’s not some cop following you at night with his headlights out, it’s a waitress who refuses to look you in the eye or speak to you whenever there’s a white person around. Or it’s some stupid poster on this forum referring to Harlem as “the local Planet of the Apes.” Obviously not every white person is racist, but enough are that you feel like it’s worth keeping your guard up most of the time. Ignoring the existence of race and racism is a privilege that comes with being white. Sort of like not having people assume you are a criminal until you prove otherwise. Sort of like having 99% of your Presidents look like you.
But since here, racism is a mere chimera that doesn’t exist outside the heads of crazed liberals and oversensitive, resentful blacks (stupid blacks! what’s their problem anyway? why can’t they be grateful for all that we whites have done for them??), I shouldn’t expect many people to be able to assimilate the concept of white privilege with much grace.
Oh well. Keep on keepin’ on, racism-deniers! Your kind is fading fast. And you’re taking the Republican party with you. Which is kind of a shame, because respectable ideas like limited government and fiscal responsibility don’t deserve to be saddled to this kind of ignorant bigotry.
