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Forum nameOkay Activist Archives
Topic subjectSigh
Topic URLhttp://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=22&topic_id=31965&mesg_id=31989
31989, Sigh
Posted by BarTek, Sat Dec-03-05 11:53 PM
*Pats you on the back...

My understanding of racism is vastly different to yours.

I don't have to justify myself to you or anyone else on this site,
you are all entitled to your opinions of me... however, I will indulge your question because I think it a fair discussion.

I know what I stand for, and I know what I fight against.

A lot of people think of me as racist, because... they simply do not know how to classify and label me. It is easier to label me, than it is to understand me. I am a scary white person... believe it, I know my roots well. I know what my skin colour represents to thousands of people around the world. I know what my skin colour means to those in power. I plan to use my skin colour as a gift. I love my skin colour. I will spend the rest of my life trying to bring tyrants, and racist war mongers to their demise. I will use my skin colour in that task. I have a certain amount of privilege sewn into my skin, and I plan to use that too. I will walk through doors, which you have to shoot your way through. All I want you to remember is, that I fight on your side.

If you think I am a bigot, racist, or the devil incarnate, it does not phase me in the slightest, as I know who I am, and what I stand for. I have total peace of mind. I have clear purpose, and I plan to manifest it.

Finally, your comment inspired anger within me, because, there was zero reference to black struggle, racism, or white people in that post. It was a discussion about mastering. You came into that post, and you made a reference to the evil white man. Your comment was negative as it painted all white people with the same stroke. I am a white person, who has just offered you the truth about my intentions and purpose in life. As harmless as you think your comment was, it was not justified. If the discussion was about white and black relations, I would not have opened my mouth. You took the role of bigot. Not I.

Place yourself in my shoes. You and your friends, both white and black, are talking about music. I walk up to you, and say... "You know, what you just said, reminds me of the struggle Iranian women are facing; the abuse, the beatings, the rape, and the lack of voice."

Was there any justification in my comment?
Was there any need?
Now, you being the only Iranian in the group, would it upset you that, as a white person, I was speaking about issues that pertain only to you? Would it upset you, that you were the only reflection of Iranian men? Would it upset you, if one of your friends gave you a funny look? Would it upset you, if you were suddenly categorized in the same way just because you are Iranian?

Now, imagine you had another discussion about motorcycles, and I once again made a comment about Iranian men abusing Iranian women.

Would it not piss you off that I constantly spoke about the brute Iranian man, when there was absolutley no justification or relevance in my comment?

That is why I found your comment offensive. If there is no relevance, or justification in your comment. Than it is clear, that you were practicing racism and bigotry. If you are interested in racial harmony, why do you consistently paint the white race with such a broad stroke, when you are not even black? why do you consistently speak from the position of a black man, and his experiences, when you are not black? Yes, a cross may have burned on your lawn, but once again.. Was anyone in your family accused of rape by a white women? Please answer my question.

Furthermore, you made this post seeking a third party opinion. Is it because you doubt your argument? You have only pushed this argument in my favor. You wished death upon someone in my family from a suicide bomber, when there was absolutley no reference to that. You said you grew up in Texas... has anyone in your family died to a suicide bomber? One of my closest friends is from the Gaza Strip, she is a woman as well. She has seen and experienced things that your Iranian background has no comprehension of. She would never wish death on anyone from a suicide bomber, even though she lost many of her people under oppressive forces.

Peace