YBP - My friends are always debating this very same question. The answer always points to somewhere where there is an established black middle class that kinds of insulates against the prevalence of racism. Atlanta has its troubles though. And, it is in GEORGIA. There was a reason that place haunted Ray Charles!I work for ACN and I really don't feel any racism there, though I have heard clients come out with some dubious stuff. I hate ginger comments (how ridiculous), comments that equate being Irish to stupidity and error (ugh!). Blond jokes - i mean, come on. Gay slurs..... i just don't feel comfy always speaking up about it because it's easy to be labeled as some sort of PC freak and militant black woman if you do that too often. i also don't doubt that in all-white circles there are at least some racist comments. If you pay attention, you will probably notice it. I have white-looking cousins who hear it all the time and no one suspects they are of Jamaican heritage.Racism does exist in all shapes and forms, and so does different types of discrimination. They are not all reducible though. Homophobia does not = sexism, which does not = racism, which does not = -anti-ginger sentiments' or inverse snobbery in their effects or genesis and in some cases, their severity. I can't speak as a gay person, but it must stink to have to give up your family if they aren't supportive, but then a gay person really can't say he/she understands how i felt to never be invited to my school friends' birthday parties. There can be dialogue, but none of these things cancel the other out. Its not a case of one thing trumps another. Let's make that clear. However, we shouldn't pretend that the opportunities afforded to us are all equal.The thing we are talking about here is racism. Racism stifles the achievement and advancement of non-white people in this country, and many many other countries all over the world.I have no doubt that a white, blond, blue-eyed man might have experienced discrimination because of one or all of these features at some point in his average 75 year long life. But has he experienced a kind of insidious, constant oppression? Doubt it. Will he worry about it affecting his kids? Doubt it. Is he worried his son might be stabbed in the head with a pick-axe while walking with his girlfriend on account of his blue eyes, or is he worried some blokes in South London might stab him to death at a bus stop because of his blond hair? Doubt it. Is there an entire political party dedicated to ridding the country of his presence? Nope. Thank God, we don't need any more craziness. Another point, which is not the same, is about privilege. Let's say you are white and you aren't racist AT ALL (that's fantastic as it's easy to be racist and prejudiced, its harder to fight it) but do you realise where you are ADVANTAGED and PRIVILEGED, even if you deny that non-whites are actively being held back due to racism? Even if you aren't holding back that black person or woman, do you understand that you are afforded kinds of advantage that non-whites and women aren't?Black people can be bloody awfully racist - I am black and i have heard some shameful shameful comments. But, in the most part, they stay comments. Not because black people are made of a superior moral fibre - we aren't! - But black people simply don't have the financial or political clout to do much damage. It's the white racist punch that has the power behind it, i'm sorry to say. Non-racist whites who are (understandably) unwilling to relinquish privilege that maintains the status quo are also culpable.I'm a black woman who has dated many white men, well not 'many' but you know, a few (!) and - apart from one occasion when i dated a white academic professor who had written extensively on the topic of racism, culture, and associated topics - i have had to delineate and explain, and illustrate very clearly how the experiences of black men and white men are different. They all really appreciated the insight. It wasn't an attack. We learn from each other, and there is lots of learning to do. Importantly, just because i've had relationships with white men, not even this means i never do or say things that can be classed as racist. It takes real training or a very strong mind to never think racist things.So, rather than try your very very best to deny that there is racism, please join the struggle against it instead by opening your eyes to it.For all others who will want to tear my post apart - fair enough, that's healthy. But if you are going to take the time to do that, please also take the time to read around the subject. It can't hurt, here's some references:Anything by Paul GilroyAnything by Stuart HallAnything by S AhmedIf you want a white perspective, there doesn't come much better than Ruth Frankenburg, but if you don't particularly like the American viewpoint try the British! Micheal Billig, Caroline Howarth, A Bennet. For a real Cockney, go straight to Les Back - genius!All of these people are devoting their careers to writing about not black people, but white people. Much more useful than 'Music of White Origin'!Aha!
