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yet that is ALWAYS how it seems to be taken This is a clue that perhaps your terminology is loaded, inflammatory, and should be changed. I find that there's v

yet that is ALWAYS how it seems to be taken This is a clue that perhaps your terminology is loaded, inflammatory, and should be changed. I find that there's very little value in reasoning about race as a collective, since it's usually just a (overly) reductive variable for socioeconomic status, upbringing, or environment. If you mean those things, say those things. Attaching a racial modifier to a term and then expecting members of that race to not feel described or targeted by it makes no sense. (And that goes double when that term is used, often, as an attack, not in the thoughtful way you describe, but that is a rant for another time.)

okreallywtf 11y ago
You've actually hit on the exact point, there is no point in reasoning about race, but as much as we wish that people didn't see race, the fact is they do. That is the entire point of the term. Because of your race, people do reason about your race, and do make assumptions about your socioeconomic status, upbringing, and environment. I'll grant you that there are (probably a very few) people who do get some satisfaction out of feeling like a victim but otherwise, nobody is more tired of reasoning about race in america than black americans (who are of course not the only discriminated against minority). You seem to be implying that america is post racial and some of just won't let it go.
- Karunamon 11y ago
  You seem to be implying that america is post racial and some of just won't let it go. And you seem to have read your own biases into a very objective and clear point. That point being, stop banging on about how terrible it is people get defensive when you use offensive terms. If your response to that is "but it's not", followed by yet another academic definition of "privilege" is.. stop. You've missed the point. Offense is taken, not given. If your goal is to have a frank and honest discussion with someone rather than attack them, you do not lead off by using terminology that is racially charged (as if anyone can choose their race), minimizes someone's struggles in life (of which you necessarily know nothing), implies guilt (however slight), and which is frequently used in bad faith to shut down discussions anyways. That may not be what you personally intend, but that is what the audience hears. Act accordingly.

okreallywtf 11y ago

You've actually hit on the exact point, there is no point in reasoning about race, but as much as we wish that people didn't see race, the fact is they do. That is the entire point of the term. Because of your race, people do reason about your race, and do make assumptions about your socioeconomic status, upbringing, and environment. I'll grant you that there are (probably a very few) people who do get some satisfaction out of feeling like a victim but otherwise, nobody is more tired of reasoning about race in america than black americans (who are of course not the only discriminated against minority). You seem to be implying that america is post racial and some of just won't let it go.

Karunamon 11y ago
You seem to be implying that america is post racial and some of just won't let it go. And you seem to have read your own biases into a very objective and clear point. That point being, stop banging on about how terrible it is people get defensive when you use offensive terms. If your response to that is "but it's not", followed by yet another academic definition of "privilege" is.. stop. You've missed the point. Offense is taken, not given. If your goal is to have a frank and honest discussion with someone rather than attack them, you do not lead off by using terminology that is racially charged (as if anyone can choose their race), minimizes someone's struggles in life (of which you necessarily know nothing), implies guilt (however slight), and which is frequently used in bad faith to shut down discussions anyways. That may not be what you personally intend, but that is what the audience hears. Act accordingly.