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"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
by 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 agoAlso 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 agoPlease 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]
- TheAdamAndChe 6y agoYou're right, I'm sorry. I fear what these trends could bring, but I understand that we have a community and culture that we have to maintain here.
- dang 6y agoPlease do not perpetuate ideological flamewar on HN. It's not what this site is for, and swipes like "Cute story" are obvious provocations which break the site guidelines in their own right. If you'd please review https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html and stick to the rules when posting here, we'd appreciate it.