(to whites on here) have you personally been in racist situations?

[Anonymous]

I have experienced racism/antisemitism while living in the gulf states in 1975 (I was 11; father just joined the Navy and was receiving training).

We had moved there from the NYC metro area. It really started when two events happened: 1) I missed school a religious holiday, 2) I had a "friend" over at my house and he saw a pic of me playing with a friend who happened to be black.

Those happened about the same time...pardon the language, but this is a direct quote...I became the "Nigger Loving Pollock Jew".

After that,

1) a cross was burnt in front of our house
2) a bomb threat at my middle school
3) repeatedly beat up
4) principal at school told me it would end if I would only accept Jesus
4.1) this was as he was paddling me for fighting
4.2) and I refused to say a beginning of the day prayer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so . . .

You were jumped by girls who also called you names and you moved into an all-black neighborhood?

short memory or very forgiving, I'd say

Anonymous wrote:I have been in multiple situations.

I have been verbally harrassed and threated multiple times while walking by groups of teens who threatened to rape me, rob me, spit on me, and threw rocks at me, while referring to me as a white B, cracker, etc.

In high school (predominantly black), I was jumped by 3 girls and beaten up while them calling me racial names.

In Memphis, I bought a house in an all black neighborhood, and my neighbors flat out told me I didn't beling in their neighborhood and to get out. Their campaign against me included:

Stabbing threatening notes to by front door with knives.

Shooting my dog with a BB gun.

Vandalizing my car countless times.

Constantly breaking into my backyard and stealing my lawnmowers.

Some of those events could have been unrelated, but who knows. I eventually moved. I never found out which neighbors were the responsible parties.

Holy shit! You are one strong individual! I am sorry for what you went through and the loss of your dog.

Thanks, this was during the 90's though, so maybe some of those people have started to think differently.

Also, thankfully, my dog was fine, she just had to have some pellets removed at the vet that were just under her skin. Thank god it was just a pellet gun, and not a real gun.

[Anonymous]

Yes. People tell me they hate Arabs, or call them towel heads, or we should blow them up, etc and I'm part Arab. And I'm like, we'll I'm part Arab. It's weird.

[Anonymous]

I had a boyfriend dump me when he found out my grandmother was full Cherokee. He got really upset and ranted about how he thought I was "white". Oh well, I dodged a bullet there, that's for sure. I had no idea before that that he was racist in any way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am half white (and look white). I was once surrounded by a group of white college kids who were saying horrible things about another race of which I am half (the other half). It was horrible. I ended up telling them off and transferring colleges.

Oh wait did you mean experiencing racism as a white person? I am 99% sure this doesn't occur. I think white people read "social slights" as racism.

This is a joke, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I had a perfect SAT score and did not get into Harvard.

Oh, please. That's not racism. Get over yourself.

Pretty sure the PP was being facetious.

[Anonymous]

One of my (white) family members was shot and killed by a (black) man who told police that he targeted my family member because he looked like a "rich white guy." The murderer was casing a certain location, waiting to rob someone. He let several people go, including an elderly black grandmother, before choosing my family member as his target. He didn't intend to kill anyone but he still has never said he was sorry either. Rather, he maintains to this day that my family member deserved it because of who he was. We met the murderer's family. Lovely people. They were as crushed by what happened as we were. Drugs suck.

I've also been present when white people have done or said racist things about black, Hispanic, or Asians. It happens a lot. (It's truly amazing what white people will say to another white person, without even knowing whether the person shares their views!) Although racism can definitely be found everywhere and can happen to anyone, in my experience, it has not been a daily thing for most whites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While not racism, I experienced a race-based decision that significantly impacted my career. I was an associate at a law firm along with a very competent African American woman. I was told in different ways but very clearly by four, yes four, partners that the firm would not be making more than one partner from our group, and that I would not make partner unless the African American woman left the firm. Three of these partners stated that I was generally considered the top choice for partnership based on my legal skills and client relations, but that the firm needed to increase diversity. These and other partners assisted me in finding another job outside of the firm, which turned out well in the end, but I still regret not having been able to compete fairly for partnership after years of working many, many hours. I do not begrudge the African American attorney at all, and found her to be both competent and a personally terrific individual. I am now much more careful, though, To avoid professional situations and which my primary competitors for promotion are African American or other underrepresented minorities. I have also experienced probably a handful of minor racially charged events. Nothing, however, that would rise to the level of affecting my day today life in any way.

You know, this kind of thing sucks, but mostly it sucks that it still kind of needs to happen. That black woman had to work a thousand times harder than you to get where she was, no matter her socioeconomic status growing up.

I disagree. I know her very well. She had a much, much more privileged background than I did, with parents who were high-educated professionals. She was raised in a wealthy community and attended the best private schools. I did not have any if these benefits, and the relatively amorphous claims that I have had white privilege my whole life don't in my view hold a candle to the actual tangible be edits and luxuries she was raised with. I liked her very much, and respect her professionally and personally, but to say that she had to work harder than I did based on some pretty extensive assumptions just avoids one if the main issues here. For what it's worth, I'm actually in favor of affirmative action as well as organizations consciously expanding diversity. But to make it seem that she worked harder than I dud to get to the point of partnership at a law firm is way off base in this case.

I still respectfully disagree. She has to work harder to be taken seriously no matter where she's from (unless like the whole room automatically knows she is the daughter of somebody super famous). But maybe she didn't have to work harder to get there (if you're a woman, but if you're a white man she certainly still did), but she definitely had to put up with a lot more shit.

That is pretty racist in itself. You assume that because she is black she grew up oppressed and struggling. She may have grown up without a care in the world and breezed through life. Your preconceived notions that everyone shares the same experience based on the color of their skin is pretty sad.

No one black in this country grows up "without a care in the world" or "breezing through life". She may have had a better time of it as a rich person, but she's still a rich BLACK person in America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While not racism, I experienced a race-based decision that significantly impacted my career. I was an associate at a law firm along with a very competent African American woman. I was told in different ways but very clearly by four, yes four, partners that the firm would not be making more than one partner from our group, and that I would not make partner unless the African American woman left the firm. Three of these partners stated that I was generally considered the top choice for partnership based on my legal skills and client relations, but that the firm needed to increase diversity. These and other partners assisted me in finding another job outside of the firm, which turned out well in the end, but I still regret not having been able to compete fairly for partnership after years of working many, many hours. I do not begrudge the African American attorney at all, and found her to be both competent and a personally terrific individual. I am now much more careful, though, To avoid professional situations and which my primary competitors for promotion are African American or other underrepresented minorities. I have also experienced probably a handful of minor racially charged events. Nothing, however, that would rise to the level of affecting my day today life in any way.

You know, this kind of thing sucks, but mostly it sucks that it still kind of needs to happen. That black woman had to work a thousand times harder than you to get where she was, no matter her socioeconomic status growing up.

I disagree. I know her very well. She had a much, much more privileged background than I did, with parents who were high-educated professionals. She was raised in a wealthy community and attended the best private schools. I did not have any if these benefits, and the relatively amorphous claims that I have had white privilege my whole life don't in my view hold a candle to the actual tangible be edits and luxuries she was raised with. I liked her very much, and respect her professionally and personally, but to say that she had to work harder than I did based on some pretty extensive assumptions just avoids one if the main issues here. For what it's worth, I'm actually in favor of affirmative action as well as organizations consciously expanding diversity. But to make it seem that she worked harder than I dud to get to the point of partnership at a law firm is way off base in this case.

I still respectfully disagree. She has to work harder to be taken seriously no matter where she's from (unless like the whole room automatically knows she is the daughter of somebody super famous). But maybe she didn't have to work harder to get there (if you're a woman, but if you're a white man she certainly still did), but she definitely had to put up with a lot more shit.

That is pretty racist in itself. You assume that because she is black she grew up oppressed and struggling. She may have grown up without a care in the world and breezed through life. Your preconceived notions that everyone shares the same experience based on the color of their skin is pretty sad.

No one black in this country grows up "without a care in the world" or "breezing through life". She may have had a better time of it as a rich person, but she's still a rich BLACK person in America.

Agree. It's not racist to acknowledge the level of institutional racism in America.

[Anonymous]

I went to elementary school with mostly black children. They called me "Wonderbread." I didn't mind and actually think it's pretty funny.

[Anonymous]

White male here. Moved here in late sixties in 7th grade. Didn't know anything about racism. Never heard a racial comment or epithet. First day of class was picked on and challenged to fight by a black kid. Finally agreed to meet him in parking lot after school. I showed up and what seemed like every black kid in the school. I was called racial slurs, pushed and taunted. A group of them followed me halfway home. Push turned to shove and I was beaten up. Parents called school. No action was taken. Was told by my peers I was stupid to meet a black kid after school (like this was common knowledge)
In 8th grade I had a crush on a sweet AA girl. We both liked each other. It was all innocent. Then Roots came out and she told me we couldn't be friends bc white people were slave owners.
As an adult, living in DC I occasionally encountered what I assumed were people (AA) who were mentally ill because they'd murmur or out right call me "honky" or "cracker as*".
several times walking in urban area at night with girlfriend AA men (young) would say derogatory things to my girlfriend and make similar comments towards me I.e. "What you doing with that white boy?". girlfriend would want to cross street when we wer walking alone or in urban areas when blacks were approaching on same side of street. Sometimes called chastised or called racist when we crossed to avoid being in their path (no win situation).
Worked in white collar jobs during 70s and 80s when companies went through necessary hiring changes to promote and hire minorities and women. I think many people in my generation uncertain industries lost a promotion or hiring opportunity due to affirmative action - though not an example like others directed personally at me, the result was personal for crimes committed by past generations.
During OJ trial. Was at best buy in electronics section. Every TV was tuned to verdict "not guilty" every black person in store roared and applauded. AA near me turned to me and said "we won mother f*cker". That moment more than any other thing I experienced was the single most glaring example of racial divide in American culture at that time of the unity of blacks from the playground to the workplace and national events.
Everything I learned about racism I learned from AAs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:White male here. Moved here in late sixties in 7th grade. Didn't know anything about racism. Never heard a racial comment or epithet. First day of class was picked on and challenged to fight by a black kid. Finally agreed to meet him in parking lot after school. I showed up and what seemed like every black kid in the school. I was called racial slurs, pushed and taunted. A group of them followed me halfway home. Push turned to shove and I was beaten up. Parents called school. No action was taken. Was told by my peers I was stupid to meet a black kid after school (like this was common knowledge)
In 8th grade I had a crush on a sweet AA girl. We both liked each other. It was all innocent. Then Roots came out and she told me we couldn't be friends bc white people were slave owners.
As an adult, living in DC I occasionally encountered what I assumed were people (AA) who were mentally ill because they'd murmur or out right call me "honky" or "cracker as*".
several times walking in urban area at night with girlfriend AA men (young) would say derogatory things to my girlfriend and make similar comments towards me I.e. "What you doing with that white boy?". girlfriend would want to cross street when we wer walking alone or in urban areas when blacks were approaching on same side of street. Sometimes called chastised or called racist when we crossed to avoid being in their path (no win situation).
Worked in white collar jobs during 70s and 80s when companies went through necessary hiring changes to promote and hire minorities and women. I think many people in my generation uncertain industries lost a promotion or hiring opportunity due to affirmative action - though not an example like others directed personally at me, the result was personal for crimes committed by past generations.
During OJ trial. Was at best buy in electronics section. Every TV was tuned to verdict "not guilty" every black person in store roared and applauded. AA near me turned to me and said "we won mother f*cker". That moment more than any other thing I experienced was the single most glaring example of racial divide in American culture at that time of the unity of blacks from the playground to the workplace and national events.
Everything I learned about racism I learned from AAs.

Unfortunately, the hostility against interracial couples still happens in DC in the some of the predominately AA areas. Some AA Washingtonians have a complete disdain for white people. It's even more apparent if you're dating an AA person or if you're a product of an interracial union. Being biracial and having a multiracial family, I've had my share of experiencing racism from blacks in DC. I've learned the hard way that some areas of DC are best to be avoided at all cost. I find "some" of the AA's in DC to be too provincial and self segregating for my liking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. About 17 years ago, when Barry was still mayor, I was stopped by a DC cop allegedly for making an illegal right turn on red. I say "allegedly" because I was very familiar with the intersection, which allowed right on red turns from the major street (from which I was turning) but not the intersecting minor side street. But yet there was the sign, turned and a bit askew, as if it had been turned by someone or perhaps something to face the major street. When I pointed it out to the MPD officer he said "Shut up, or I'll do what I'd like to do." When I asked what that was, he (who was black) said "take your white ass to jail." I was shocked. I thought later about filing a complaint against the officer and taking the ticket to court, but MPD in those days was notoriously fickle (lots of recruits in the Barry era got hired even after multiple fails of the police exam), as was the DC government. I even considered moving out of the city, but decided to stay once Mayor Williams came in and things really started to improve.

In that same time frame, I was stopped twice within one year, by the same DC cop, for alleged traffic violations that were totally non-existant. I know they were, because he didn't give me a ticket either time. He just berated me, and then let me go on. I was a young white girl driving a new red convertible, and he just decided he needed to give me a hard time. I considered reporting him, but both times I was so shocked that I didn't get his name or badge number.

[youngblackdude]

Anonymous wrote:White male here. Moved here in late sixties in 7th grade. Didn't know anything about racism. Never heard a racial comment or epithet. First day of class was picked on and challenged to fight by a black kid. Finally agreed to meet him in parking lot after school. I showed up and what seemed like every black kid in the school. I was called racial slurs, pushed and taunted. A group of them followed me halfway home. Push turned to shove and I was beaten up. Parents called school. No action was taken. Was told by my peers I was stupid to meet a black kid after school (like this was common knowledge)
In 8th grade I had a crush on a sweet AA girl. We both liked each other. It was all innocent. Then Roots came out and she told me we couldn't be friends bc white people were slave owners.
As an adult, living in DC I occasionally encountered what I assumed were people (AA) who were mentally ill because they'd murmur or out right call me "honky" or "cracker as*".
several times walking in urban area at night with girlfriend AA men (young) would say derogatory things to my girlfriend and make similar comments towards me I.e. "What you doing with that white boy?". girlfriend would want to cross street when we wer walking alone or in urban areas when blacks were approaching on same side of street. Sometimes called chastised or called racist when we crossed to avoid being in their path (no win situation).
Worked in white collar jobs during 70s and 80s when companies went through necessary hiring changes to promote and hire minorities and women. I think many people in my generation uncertain industries lost a promotion or hiring opportunity due to affirmative action - though not an example like others directed personally at me, the result was personal for crimes committed by past generations.
During OJ trial. Was at best buy in electronics section. Every TV was tuned to verdict "not guilty" every black person in store roared and applauded. AA near me turned to me and said "we won mother f*cker". That moment more than any other thing I experienced was the single most glaring example of racial divide in American culture at that time of the unity of blacks from the playground to the workplace and national events.
Everything I learned about racism I learned from AAs.

Good story bro .real specific in details... I mean what you said about "walking threw mainly black neighborhoods at night " was what I was saying to another dude on here a few pages earlier.gentrification changed that in some hoods because you have middle class whites living amongst some poorer blacks but not every black hood is gentrified.& those are the areas where you might catch some static.specifically from the younger brothers

[youngblackdude]

Anonymous wrote:I am a white girl who went to a predominantly black high school. I got called names pertaining to my color ("snow"), but it was meant as an endearment, I think. I'm sure some girls called me names behind my back when I dated their ex-boyfriends. lol.

I have lived all over the world (currently in the Middle East) and, while it have experienced some anti-Americanism or sexism, I can't say that I have been directly affected by racism.

I don't consider myself a racist, so I was a little taken aback a few years ago when I disagreed with a friend on Facebook who believed that toddlers who say their African-American friends are "brown" are being racist.

I mean the snow comment can be taken either way .I've heard different types of nicknames for whites that wasn't derogative. Snowflake..white boy...white girl...white chocolate(specifically for whites who act naturally black....before any 1 ask what acting black is..I'm speaking on the way we speak ..dress....I've seen Hispanics in ny being called white also due to some of there complexions.so its not really an attack on Caucasians