Discussion: Can white people be victims of racism?

Energy

Why do many people, especially the Tumblr "cultural specialist"
and people with similar mindsets believe that white people can't be victims of racism. Some
have instilled beliefs that racism happens on anyone but white people.

While I do 100% believe that people of color are subjected to white privalege, and are
not properly represented in the media, history, and pop culture, I have not grown a hate
against any race that I'd make myself believe just because the color of their skin, or
cultural practices that he/she has not been discriminated against.

I believe racism is racism. Regardless of what race the victim is. White people can be
racist, black people can be racist, Hispanics can be racist, etc. Anyone who discriminates and
looks at a person to be inferior because of their race is a racist. Bottom line. Anyone can be put in a situation where racism is present. I do agree that racism against whites isn't as prevalent due to their privilege and how society/history has shaped today, considering racism against people of color is in every aspect of of life. (even in the very own communities of people of color or by themselves.)

However, some people from my experience believe that because of "white privilege" and the state of society white people don't have the right to feel discriminated against at all, and many of those discriminatory actions are justified by the hate created from previous actions of their ancestors.

Do you believe white people can be discriminated against?
Do they have the right to complain if so?
Discuss.

C/H/A/N/E/L

People can be racist towards whites. Generally, that's not a problem, though. Whites are almost always the oppressor.

Ichinaru19

Of course. Anyone can be victims of racism. /endthread. I won't be surprised seeing responses on ATRL like "Of course not".

keshaspearsxo

well, physically yes, but I doubt mentally.

ECNEICSNOC

I can only speak on the way things work in the US. But racism never affects white people beyond an individual level (EX: a white person encounters a non-white person who hates white people). Racism against people of color is systematic and institutionalized in the US.

MM3

Yes, of course. Anyone can be discriminated against. However, some people think that the one or two times they've been discriminated against equates with the racism that minorities have experienced/continue to experience. It's almost like some people are trying to out-do each other in terms of who's been discriminated against the most.

Gavin.

This will end well

Daydream

Yes, I've seen it happen. I previously lived in a community where there were very little white people and I've seen white people getting abused, both mentally and physically, because they're in the minority.

It does exist and it DOES happen.

Anyone saying racism against white people does not exist just hasn't seen it because they're not exposed to that. But trust me, it does.

new evolution

Absolutely. People are totally forgiving if a black person constantly insinuates white people to be some inferior and socially awkward people who everyone should be laughing at. Even white people are racist to themselves for letting this go

Hypocrates

Anyone can be a victim of racism, it's just that being white tends to confer certain social privileges, so it's less likely that a white person will be a victim of racism.

HausOfGerard

Beethoven

Hmm. You're just asking for a messy thread tbh

teresaguidice

the reason why they say that is because they believe racism = prejudice + power, not just racism = prejudice. so people can be prejudiced against white people but white people don't face racism because they still control most institutions (media and politics, for example). its really just a matter of how you define things

MM3

Quote:

Originally posted by ECNEICSNOC

I can only speak on the way things work in the US. But racism never affects white people beyond an individual level (EX: a white person encounters a non-white person who hates white people). Racism against people of color is systematic and institutionalized in the US.

And I agree with this.

Echelon

Yes. But I think it's becoming a more psychological thing. People wanting whites to suffer and be perpetually labeled as such because of the actions of their ancestors. Granted there are tons of white people that are still pretty racist.

richa70

Everyone is a victim of racism. It's just that if a white person is a victim of anything and the suspect is black America would react more than if it was a black victim and a white suspect

Energy

Quote:

Originally posted by Beethoven

Hmm. You're just asking for a messy thread tbh

Actually so far, the responses have been pretty mature.
I'm hoping we can keep it cute this afternoon.