The American brand of racism is very much obsessed about skin color. Historically European racism is quite different. The Nazis were deeply racist, but didn't care much about skin color in particular - they hated and murdered Slavs and Jews and Roma, groups not identified by skin color. Europe have to acknowledge and engage with this horrible past, but things like obsessing about the Dutch "Zwarte Piet" tradition is totally missing the point IMHO.
Looking at the experience of black Britons through an American lens
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Re: Looking at the experience of black Britons through an American lens
#52>I have privilege as a White person because I can do all of these things without thinking twice about it … I can go jogging (#AmaudArbery). I can relax in the comfort of my own home (#BothemSean and #AtatianaJefferson). I can ask for help after being in a car crash (#Jonathan Ferrell and #RenishaMcBride). I can have a cellphone (#StephonClark). I can leave a party to get to safety (#JordanEdwards). I can play loud mu…
It's an (american) election year, so that would explain most of the politics and propaganda behind that.
Unfortunately it's been going on for a long time.
For example, why was OJ Simpson's verdict met with adulation when everyone knew he was guilty? That's the first thing that popped in my head when I read their last paragraph about lying to ourselves, though I admit I just listened to a podcast where Sam Harris or John McWhorter bring OJ up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPHUu9sAGKo ("Sam Harris' podcast: The New Religion of Anti_Racism")
Re: Looking at the experience of black Britons through an American lens
#53In addition to the entirety of the author's examples and experiences, we need to recall that the UK/British view of race is heavily influenced by the fact that skin color is not the only way in which folks in the UK experience racial discrimination. For centuries, the Scottish and Irish natives have been variously oppressed by the British, creating a racial context which is distinct from one wholly concerned with ski…
In the last 10 years have a lot of Scottish, Irish or Black people been murdered by UK police officers? 20 years? 30? I'm sure you can think of a few examples, but the idea that the UK is equally as racist as the US is laughable. To be clear: I am not saying that racism doesn't exist in the UK or that it isn't a problem - but the kind of false equivalence you put forward doesn't really advance the conversation.
> In the last 10 years have a lot of Scottish, Irish or Black people been murdered by UK police officers? 20 years? 30?
How many people of any colour or ethnicity have been killed by UK police in the last 10, 20, 30 years? It doesn't happen very often, principally because they're not routinely armed.
> I'm sure you can think of a few examples, but the idea that the UK is equally as racist as the US is laughable.
In some ways, sure. But in other ways, the UK is behind the US: the UK has (and has had) no Black generals, admirals, or supreme court judges, for example.
Re: Looking at the experience of black Britons through an American lens
#54I have a strong feeling (though no data to back it up) that this holds at least as much for debate and polarisation around feminism, gender equality, trans rights and LGBT(Q+) issues.
Oh, there is a lot of data. You simply have to look at the uptick in the number of news reports from other countries dealing with the above subjects over a period of time. Now all of these are important but they are nowhere near as important as the discussion/outrage needed over poverty alleviation, social ills, economic development etc. in my country. A good example is the recent "Me too" movement. Our entire media jumped on this bandwagon while all other essential news disappeared from the channels. This is a great way to divert people's attention and hide actual problems.
Re: Looking at the experience of black Britons through an American lens
#55>I have privilege as a White person because I can do all of these things without thinking twice about it … I can go jogging (#AmaudArbery). I can relax in the comfort of my own home (#BothemSean and #AtatianaJefferson). I can ask for help after being in a car crash (#Jonathan Ferrell and #RenishaMcBride). I can have a cellphone (#StephonClark). I can leave a party to get to safety (#JordanEdwards). I can play loud mu…
It's an (american) election year, so that would explain most of the politics and propaganda behind that.
I don’t really think this will stop even if Biden is elected. IMO they will coopt Biden’s victory as a victory for their propaganda and become more radical.
Re: Looking at the experience of black Britons through an American lens
#56Earlier quoted context omitted.
Right, because there are 10x more aboriginal people in prison, that's not racist policing, that's just natural, is that what you're saying? “There is a sadly high level of Indigenous incarceration, I think it’s about 30% compared to 3% of the population,” Mitchell said, while interviewing the prime minister on Thursday. “But black deaths in custody, I mean, that’s, that’s a furphy, isn’t it? I mean, since the royal c…
Why they commit crime at such higher rates than the White population would be an interesting conversation to have. Unfortunately, it seems as if you're implying that we shouldn't police them equally because of their race. I cannot endorse that, and I would urge you to consider their victims (most of whom are also Aboriginals, if they are your concern).
If aboriginal people were policed equally, there wouldn't be a problem.
Re: Looking at the experience of black Britons through an American lens
#57This will get flagged when most of the US wake up, or when users get fed up with yet another cultural war submission that leads to flame.
Re: Looking at the experience of black Britons through an American lens
#58Earlier quoted context omitted.
I really hope you mean today, as in people who are currently alive. Have you read about any history, perhaps including European colonization abroad?
Were they conquering because of race or something else?
Well they certainly used racism as an excuse to justify their colonial ambitions. They were conquering for the same reasons any country conquers: money, land, prestige.
Re: Looking at the experience of black Britons through an American lens
#59[deleted]
Re: Looking at the experience of black Britons through an American lens
#60Earlier quoted context omitted.
Right, because there are 10x more aboriginal people in prison, that's not racist policing, that's just natural, is that what you're saying? “There is a sadly high level of Indigenous incarceration, I think it’s about 30% compared to 3% of the population,” Mitchell said, while interviewing the prime minister on Thursday. “But black deaths in custody, I mean, that’s, that’s a furphy, isn’t it? I mean, since the royal c…
No, that isn't racist at all. Unfortunate, an injustice, a tragedy, a disaster, a systemic failure to integrate, yes. But racist? You're going to have to spell that one out for me. Aboriginal people just commit more crime. That isn't racist. Thats a symptom of a problem that predates most of us sitting here in our armchairs. Talk about the real problem not the symptom, but whatever you do, don't start calling all whi…
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