Thread: Why is it considered racist to have a white student union but not black clubs?

Another good for the goose white club planning to start up. This leads to the question: Why does society consider it okay in most cases to have black college clubs, Miss Black America, the NAACP, Black History Month, Black Entertainment Television, etc. but if a similar group with a white focus were to start many people would call it racist?

BTW: I don't think groups such as the one cited in the article below are "racist", in most cases, if anybody is curious about my opinion. I think the students involved are likely trying to make a statement on what they see as a double standard. I'll also go ahead and say they likely do not understand or appreciate the legitimate unique social concerns, history or heritage of black Americans and are also very likely to be politically conservative and self-identify as Republicans. Just my opinion.

Towson University Student Proposes To Start A White Student Union On Campus « CBS Baltimore

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ)– A controversial proposal from a Towson University student is opening up old wounds. A student organization is planning to start a “White Student Union”.

Rochelle Ritchie has reaction from the university and students.

Matthew Heimbach’s reasoning can be found in the college newspaper where he says white students deserve an exclusive club only for them.

When blacks start these black only groups they only hurt themselves. Do they want to be in the main stream or not? They claim they are against segregation and then they segregate themselves.

Well at one time it was because blacks felt like they weren't being included and recognized which was the case. I understand why they exist. But now we are stuck with what is really a backwards system of protections and undeserved recognition just for being black. It is kind of like black colleges. They served a good purpose once upon a time and now in my opinion they should be closed or integrated into the state school system to rid themselves exclusivity and frankly a bad reputation as a second class education. It is all a bit of insecurity that is understandable but is simply a crtuch that is not needed.

Because black student clubs symbolize the push for equality of all races and the notion that black people are as worthy as anyone else.

White student clubs seems to celebrate the superiority of the white race over all others.

There's a difference between a group that tells it's members you don't have to be ashamed to be the race that you are, and one that says you are better than everyone else. It's a significant difference, and it makes sense why the two are viewed differently.

Originally Posted by sawyerloggingon

When blacks start these black only groups they only hurt themselves. Do they want to be in the main stream or not? They claim they are against segregation and then they segregate themselves.

I can see what you're trying to say but I'm not sure I agree. Firstly, you do realize its not blacks who are STARTING these groups for the most part. The group I cited being started now is a WHITE group whereas the NAACP was stated 103 years ago in 1909. The National Urban League, 106 years ago in 1905. The United Negro College Fund was started 67 years ago in 1944. Those are the biggest groups out there that advocate for black Americans. They do things like work with law enforcement agencies to get unregistered gun owners to turn in handguns under amnesty weekends, offer after school tutoring to inner city kids of all races who might be struggling in a subject at school and raise money for historically black colleges and universities founded at a time when blacks were not allowed at mainstream schools but today are attended by people of all races. In fact one college I know of that is supported by the United Negro College Fund, the FAMU College of Law in Orlando, has more white students and any other ethnic group.

How specifically have you seen these or other groups hurt themselves that support institutions with Black American heritage or in some way try to assist at risk minorities and/or those living in high minority populations of any race?

Originally Posted by Smeagol

Another good for the goose white club planning to start up. This leads to the question: Why does society consider it okay in most cases to have black college clubs, Miss Black America, the NAACP, Black History Month, Black Entertainment Television, etc. but if a similar group with a white focus were to start many people would call it racist?

People who tolerate these things have no room bitching about other racial specific groups.So really it doesn't matter why someone formed a white student union.

I like these threads.

IMO - they enable us to really pinpoint the racists on DP.

IMO - people from places like FreeRepublic and Stormfront come here and play nice for a while, keeping their true beliefs hidden. Then, in very subtle ways they try to stir the pot by starting these types of race-baiting threads.

Just my opinion on what I've observed.

IMO - if the racist version of Jesus they believe in would just rapture them all away from this planet, we'd all be a lot better off.

Originally Posted by hazlnut

I like these threads.

IMO - they enable us to really pinpoint the racists on DP.

IMO - people from places like FreeRepublic and Stormfront come here and play nice for a while, keeping their true beliefs hidden. Then, in very subtle ways they try to stir the pot by starting these types of race-baiting threads.

Just my opinion on what I've observed.

IMO - if the racist version of Jesus they believe in would just rapture them all away from this planet, we'd all be a lot better off.

I don't see talking about anything going on in society as somehow negative or decisive. It its in the news, IMO those who wish to take the high road engage the issues in respectful dialog in efforts to foster a better understanding of each other. Shut down respectful dialog on hot button issues, I fear it could lead some to feel they have no recourse but to express themselves in unhealthy ways.

As it relates to this particular topic, I don't think any of the players are "racists". In the case of groups like the NAACP, they only see themselves as working to improve the lives of the people they serve and by extension all of society. In the case of the white student group, I think they innocently misunderstand the mission, motives and hearts of groups like the NAACP. Who knows? Just maybe somebody associated with these groups might stumble onto this thread googling the name of their organization and the discussion could lead the to see other perspectives better and foster new efforts to reach out and offer a better understanding on why they exist and establish new friendships and help make the world a better place.

Here's an example of a guy who I truly admire. He saw that there was a rift in society and sought to help people from different backgrounds understand each other better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1Q9NSzQj5M
It never would have happened if everybody he took the position of "lets ignore this topic."

Originally Posted by Smeagol

I don't see talking about anything going on in society as somehow negative or decisive. It its in the news, IMO those who wish to take the high road engage the issues in respectful dialog in efforts to foster a better understanding of each other. Shut down respectful dialog on hot button issues, I fear it could lead to some to feel they have no recourse but to express themselves in unhealthy ways.

As it relates to this particular topic, I don't thank any of the players are "racists". In the case of groups like the NAACP, they only see themselves as working to improve the lives of the people they serve and by extension all of society. In the case of the white student group, I think they innocently misunderstand the mission, motives and hearts of groups like the NAACP. Who knows? Just maybe somebody associated with these groups might stumble onto this thread googling the name of their organization and the discussion could lead the to see other perspectives better and foster new efforts to reach out and offer a better understanding on why they exist and establish new friendships and help make the world a better place.

In your definition of 'white culture', would you include owning slaves, marrying blacks, poor urban whites, poor rural whites, and every country of origin - Poles, Russians, Irish, Spanish, French, and Jewish whites?

Most people defending "white cultural celebrations" and "whites only groups" don't include any and all whites in their definition of white. They are skinheads and Christian Identity people trying to soften their recruiting techniques - IMO.

Would a "whites only beauty pageant" allow a light-skinned black women? And would a "whites only support group" allow a black wife or husband at their picnic?

This thread, IMO, is race-baiting promotion of ignorance.

White culture is not something we can define because it is as broad and varied as the sky or the ocean. Black history month is something that has meaning and a clear definition.

Originally Posted by hazlnut

I like these threads.

IMO - they enable us to really pinpoint the racists on DP.

IMO - people from places like FreeRepublic and Stormfront come here and play nice for a while, keeping their true beliefs hidden. Then, in very subtle ways they try to stir the pot by starting these types of race-baiting threads.

Just my opinion on what I've observed.

IMO - if the racist version of Jesus they believe in would just rapture them all away from this planet, we'd all be a lot better off.

If the real Jesus were to show up today, he would probably be attacked as some stupid 'camel jockey, rag-head' due to his physical appearance. Far too many see a Jesus who fits into the Nazi description of the perfect Aryan. Like this painting from 1940 which is quite common

classic-jesus.jpg
European Jesus by Walter Sallman (1940)


A BBC/Discovery Channel series titled Son of God used a forensic anthropologist to recreate from 1st Century Jewish skulls, the face of a man of the period in which Jesus lived.

brown-jesus.jpg


Not only with religion but in many other historical events, we want those ancient characters to look like us, it makes them more 'acceptable'