My roommates and I were in bed on Tuesday night when we heard uproars of “Fuck Donald Trump” outside of our humble apartment. We all immediately ran out of bed, threw on whatever clothes were on the ground and joined in. It was invigorating, exciting, and unifying to be a part of something so alive and full of youth. The protest ended at Storke Tower on campus with a megaphone, allowing anyone to vocalize their frustrations and anger. One girl went up to the megaphone and began describing how she was sobbing once she heard the news of the election and one thing she said in particular stood out to me. She said “I was the only one sobbing in my apartment, and my roommates didn’t give a shit because they’re white.” Cheering ensued for others seemingly in agreement with her. My other white female roommate and I looked at each other with similar sentiment and looks of confusion. We were two white females whom thought we were all bonded at this UCSB student Anti-Trump community, unified in just that. But what that student said and how they cheered for her proved we were not all together. Already, I know this sounds like a pity-reverse-racism rant, so let me explain myself.
Yes, I am so very aware that there are so many other pressing issues in the US, countless! Yes, I know this sounds stupid coming from a white female who has been given certain opportunities because of the ideology of white privilege — how can I even complain, right? In no way am I complaining about this little remark from this student. But as the week went on, I began noticing more and more Facebook posts, many regarding how whites are racist because we benefit from white privilege. It was both of these events that inspired me to write about this topic.
The notion of white supremacy indubitably contributed heavily to the election of Donald Trump. Not to mention the countless videos on Facebook of white, racist, uneducated men from the south declaring their vow to Trump intertwined with hateful racial slurs, it’s obvious that the notion of white supremacy is still alive and (apparently) thriving. It in no way, however, can be equated to the idea that all white people are complicit with this system of white privilege and supremacy. This can not become an anti-White campaign. Not every White person is racist, just how not every Black person voted for Hilary, or how not every Hispanic voted for Hilary. It’s not fair to advocate against white supremacy by hating white people. Hate the system, not the people.
To that girl I heard so angrily yelling into the megaphone: I am sorry this happened to us. But please, I wish you would have looked around that night at 2 a.m. in front of Storke Tower. There were Black people, Hispanic people, Muslims, Indians, Asians, and Whites all standing in unison and solidarity with you. We all were wishful for the same things as you and angered by the same things as you. Do not condemn a group of people without looking around first. You know your roommates, the ones you claimed “Didn’t give a shit because they were White”? Well maybe, they didn’t care because they’re just shitty people, and in that case I hope you find some new ones, just as strongly as I hope for a future that attacks the system of oppression and hate rather than the person.
