What does it mean to be white? From SCU News
"Unpacking white privilege is like asking a fish to notice water or birds to notice air," she said, quoting a favourite phrase.
I want people to explore their own attitudes and values by asking themselves how they perceive whiteness. For example, is white a race or is it a social construct?
If you were blind, you'd have no concept of the colour of a person, so would their skin colour affect how you related to them? Think about flesh-coloured underwear. Think about skin-coloured bandaids. They're always pink.
An interesting follow on from my post here:
Being White, the new uncool?
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5 comments:
It's definitely chic to look down on a majority subculture, especially if the majority subjugates the minorities. The most relevant example in Australia are the poor Muslims!
I feel pretty ashamed of myself, being a 'white' male aged 18 to 49!
But why do you have to feel ashamed? That's what i'm trying to get at. You weren't on Cronulla beach hurling insults. Why do we as young 'white' people carry all this guilt?
It's weird isn't it? As social beings, we all place ourselves within a group or subclass. Sometimes it's race, or culture, or sometimes it's simply being a Sydneysider or a Kyotoite. If one of our fellow members gets outta line, we either feel embarrassed or defensive on their behalf. I don't know why, though. Something within our genetic makeup, perhaps? A throwback from caveman days where we had to band together to survive the elements?
For all intents and purposes I'm "white"... Caucasian...
My whole life I've seen people for who they are - not always understanding their "culture", but seeing them as just another human being. I remember asking the question when I was in about grade three "Why treat someone differently because of their skin colour?" Isn't it really just fear that drives prejustice? And isn't it a fear based on ignorance, or actions, or beliefs?
I would have to agree that "skin colour" is a "social construct".
I think it's really stupid to question cultural diversity, and "What does it mean to be white" What does it mean to be you're skin color?? It's so stupid. Yea you act the way you are, but that doesn't mean everyone of that skin color is that way. People just need to stop judging people for who they are, what they look like, and what skin color they are... IT REALLY DOESN'T FREAKING MATTER!!! If it matters to you... You've just got a problem and need to keep it to yourself and not get everyone involved...
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