5 ms·

"okay for black people form an identity behind their race" Probably because they get referred to as black and get discriminated against due to their physical a

"okay for black people form an identity behind their race" Probably because they get referred to as black and get discriminated against due to their physical appearance regardless of their actual heritage or where they're from? It's not so much a choice as something that they get constantly reminded about. Anecdotally speaking, there are Black communities, but I've never seen a "white" community (aside from white supremacist type groups)- just communities of nationalities or ethnicity. I grew up in Romanian communities and none of us ever used "white" as an identity. Not everything is about you or me.

TheAdamAndChe 6y ago
I get referred to as white. I put "white" on job applications and census forms. I face an increasing amount of discrimination, from affirmative action making it harder to get jobs to subtle cultural discrimination like this or seeing stereotypes everywhere. Growing up, we didn't have white communities. But I and my age group was raised under the ethos that we should judge each other not by the color of our skin, but by the character of our hearts. "Not everything is about you." Imagine saying that to a black person when they were complaining about perceived racism that you disagreed with.
- andrewzah 6y ago
  "I get referred to as white. I put "white" on job applications and census forms." So do I. And like every white person I know, if asked about identity, I state my heritage/background. Romanian/Romanian-American/American. "I face an increasing amount of discrimination, from affirmative action making it harder to get jobs to subtle cultural discrimination like this or seeing stereotypes everywhere." [Citation needed]. A lot (most?) companies still have issues with diversity because hiring is generally done via word of mouth, and it is likely among white people to have mostly white friends. edit: and as the sibling comment pointed out, there are tangible benefits that come with diverse teams. (In my own opinion, it is also concerning to equate hires of minority candidates with lesser quality candidates. This is simply unsubstantiated and not true.) Stereotypes have always existed. They're not appropriate regardless of the identity targeted, and reasonable people are aware of this. What "cultural discrimination" are you talking about? There is no "white" culture in the first place. "Imagine saying that to a black person when they were complaining about perceived racism that you disagreed with. " Good thing I'm not. I'm saying it here because every single time black people talk about identity, white people butt in and go "what about me?". Literally every single time. Black people cannot talk about the issues they face without interjections of "uh hey we face issues too". Except you and I don't face the same discrimination and struggles that Black Americans do, not even close. "But I and my age group was raised under the ethos that we should judge each other not by the color of our skin, but by the character of our hearts." Cute story, but we need to acknowledge the real and systemic issues that people face precisely due to their skin color. And that means talking about race and identity, not conveniently ignoring it.
  - TheAdamAndChe 6y ago
    > What "cultural discrimination" are you talking about? There is no "white" culture in the first place. > every single time black people talk about identity, white people butt in and go "what about me?". Literally every single time. Maybe this should be a clue to you that your experience with white identity doesn't match the experience of many people in the country. The fact that you are so defensive and rude about it is telling.
    - JetAlone 6y ago
      Also noticed this; >>"But I and my age group was raised under the ethos that we should judge each other not by the color of our skin, but by the character of our hearts." >Cute story, In my constant experience, being belittling is the most common MO for the people who uphold these talking points. Sadly, this conversation won't clue them in. Nothing you or I could post would. We'll have to endure it. As they do rightly point out, Black people have had to endure something different, and much worse. But we both know deep down that this doesn't invalidate what we've got to go through, as White people who choose not to adopt the ideology and safely benefit from its nascent cultural dominance. "White culture is not real" is a self defeating prophecy. Conflict and discrimination forms identity. The fact that large institutions have begun making choices to ratify this dogma about White culture not existing in their style guides is allowing one that is _not_ supremacist (as it will continue to be wrongfully accused of), but more egalitarian than ever before, to form. That's the corner we'll be forced into for a generation or two. God willing, may it bring about greater good.
    - dang 6y ago
      Please stop perpetuating this flamewar and don't do it again. It's not what this site is for, and the transition into personal nastiness is entirely predictable (and seriously not cool). https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
      - deleted 6y ago
        [deleted]
- jjeaff 6y ago
  No, you are not facing discrimination because you are white due to affirmative action (at least in the US). Sorry, it's just not happening. Under affirmative action laws, it is not legal to hire an unqualified candidate based on race or gender when a qualified candidate is available. Quotas are also not allowed. Affirmative action allows companies to use race or gender as a factor in their hiring process under the assumption that a more diverse workforce will create better outcomes. So if you are being passed over for jobs, maybe you just aren't quite as qualified as you think. Or maybe it's your negative attitude. Just pull yourself up by your bootstraps and you'll be fine.

TheAdamAndChe 6y ago

I get referred to as white. I put "white" on job applications and census forms. I face an increasing amount of discrimination, from affirmative action making it harder to get jobs to subtle cultural discrimination like this or seeing stereotypes everywhere. Growing up, we didn't have white communities. But I and my age group was raised under the ethos that we should judge each other not by the color of our skin, but by the character of our hearts. "Not everything is about you." Imagine saying that to a black person when they were complaining about perceived racism that you disagreed with.

andrewzah 6y ago
"I get referred to as white. I put "white" on job applications and census forms." So do I. And like every white person I know, if asked about identity, I state my heritage/background. Romanian/Romanian-American/American. "I face an increasing amount of discrimination, from affirmative action making it harder to get jobs to subtle cultural discrimination like this or seeing stereotypes everywhere." [Citation needed]. A lot (most?) companies still have issues with diversity because hiring is generally done via word of mouth, and it is likely among white people to have mostly white friends. edit: and as the sibling comment pointed out, there are tangible benefits that come with diverse teams. (In my own opinion, it is also concerning to equate hires of minority candidates with lesser quality candidates. This is simply unsubstantiated and not true.) Stereotypes have always existed. They're not appropriate regardless of the identity targeted, and reasonable people are aware of this. What "cultural discrimination" are you talking about? There is no "white" culture in the first place. "Imagine saying that to a black person when they were complaining about perceived racism that you disagreed with. " Good thing I'm not. I'm saying it here because every single time black people talk about identity, white people butt in and go "what about me?". Literally every single time. Black people cannot talk about the issues they face without interjections of "uh hey we face issues too". Except you and I don't face the same discrimination and struggles that Black Americans do, not even close. "But I and my age group was raised under the ethos that we should judge each other not by the color of our skin, but by the character of our hearts." Cute story, but we need to acknowledge the real and systemic issues that people face precisely due to their skin color. And that means talking about race and identity, not conveniently ignoring it.
- TheAdamAndChe 6y ago
  > What "cultural discrimination" are you talking about? There is no "white" culture in the first place. > every single time black people talk about identity, white people butt in and go "what about me?". Literally every single time. Maybe this should be a clue to you that your experience with white identity doesn't match the experience of many people in the country. The fact that you are so defensive and rude about it is telling.
  - JetAlone 6y ago
    Also noticed this; >>"But I and my age group was raised under the ethos that we should judge each other not by the color of our skin, but by the character of our hearts." >Cute story, In my constant experience, being belittling is the most common MO for the people who uphold these talking points. Sadly, this conversation won't clue them in. Nothing you or I could post would. We'll have to endure it. As they do rightly point out, Black people have had to endure something different, and much worse. But we both know deep down that this doesn't invalidate what we've got to go through, as White people who choose not to adopt the ideology and safely benefit from its nascent cultural dominance. "White culture is not real" is a self defeating prophecy. Conflict and discrimination forms identity. The fact that large institutions have begun making choices to ratify this dogma about White culture not existing in their style guides is allowing one that is _not_ supremacist (as it will continue to be wrongfully accused of), but more egalitarian than ever before, to form. That's the corner we'll be forced into for a generation or two. God willing, may it bring about greater good.
  - dang 6y ago
    Please stop perpetuating this flamewar and don't do it again. It's not what this site is for, and the transition into personal nastiness is entirely predictable (and seriously not cool). https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
    - deleted 6y ago
      [deleted]
jjeaff 6y ago
No, you are not facing discrimination because you are white due to affirmative action (at least in the US). Sorry, it's just not happening. Under affirmative action laws, it is not legal to hire an unqualified candidate based on race or gender when a qualified candidate is available. Quotas are also not allowed. Affirmative action allows companies to use race or gender as a factor in their hiring process under the assumption that a more diverse workforce will create better outcomes. So if you are being passed over for jobs, maybe you just aren't quite as qualified as you think. Or maybe it's your negative attitude. Just pull yourself up by your bootstraps and you'll be fine.