Recently I read an article about how it's "trendy" to hate White people.
I want to say right off the bat that I love White people as I do other races, considering that's a natural human response. I'm half White and very close to the White people in my family. I am constantly surrounded by White people going to a predominately White institution.
As a person of color, to use the phrase "I hate White people" is to take into consideration all the experiences one has had with White people that could only be perpetuated by White people.
The phrase comes from the idea that there is a power relationship related to racism in America that places people of color in a constant state of disadvantage. The writer of the article addressed it, but instead claimed the argument of a power relationship is flawed because the power can be reversed on either side of the situation.
The argument that people of color cannot be racist, only prejudice, is not flawed because the power dynamic cannot be reversed. Our political, economic, and social system in America is strictly based on the oppression of people of color for the benefit of White people. Even the poorest of White people experience better opportunities for social mobility than people of color, mainly Black people.
Following systemic racism in the housing market and public policy, the average White family contains seven times the wealth of a Black family. White people are often born with wealth immediately, stabilized by generations of easy access to the housing market.
Besides the most important determination for social status, people of color are consistently held to a certain standard in society similar to times when they were not considered people. While it seems the media over-emphasizes the times when people of color suffer excessive punishments when committing crimes, it is also evident in day-to-day life.
People of color are under a constant microscope, experiencing covert and outright racism that just could not be experienced by White people. The power relationship lies in a White person racist comments directed towards them cannot undermine their professionality, prevent their social advancement, or put them in danger with law enforcement.
The writer of the article commented on the idea that not all White people are bigoted and many of them do not have ties to slavery. While this is true, this is also a ploy to take attention away from those who are racist and an attempt to distance our country from its incredibly racist foundation. Over 300 years have passed and racism based on slavery is still alive and well. Over 50 years have passed since the civil rights movement, and many of the injustices that were fought for are still in the process of being righted.
People of color do not have space to be racist because they do not stand to benefit from the act of racism. Their position in society does not change from being prejudiced. While the phrase "I hate White people" is hateful, this "trend" the writer speaks of is not a trend but an awakening. It's a microscope on the actions of White people that have been socially acceptable for hundreds of years. It's a commentary on the many acts of racism, whether small or large, that mentally, physically, and economically affect people of color every day.
Try to understand the power relationship before you immediately feel offended. Try to understand why this trend is happening. Try to understand it in your own actions and help others understand, instead of fighting.
