This is a bit ridiculous as it assumes that all these bad words come out of the mouths of white folks. The last person I heard blathering on about the awfulness of "dykes" was a gay man. The last person I heard talking about towel heads was a black army friend.
If someone is toxic and using such words to offend you why should you continue to be in their presence? I wouldn't.
But I find this whole thing about white arrogance and continuance of white privilege to be mock worthy. A half black, half white man is our President. That means tons of white folks voted for him. Given that it's hard to take your dramatics on the topic seriously. Are there racists? Sure. Is it uniquely a white persons problem? Absolutely not. I know a black man who took huge amounts of crap from black women for dating a white girl. While the white girls family and friends give him ZERO crap. So you can just spare me the whole, "Damn white people, " crapola.
You took everything that I said out of context, when context has been a point of issue in this thread.
I didn't mean it as a "blanket indictment", of course. But the only ones who ought to be trying on that shoe are the ones it would "fit".
You don't subscribe to the notion of "white privilege". Fair enough. Doesn't mean that it doesn't exist and isn't a real and everyday occurrence.
The question comes up, can black people be equally racist and obnoxious?
Of course they can. Anyone can be.
So what you're suggesting is that nothing much here is going to change, in regards to folks using offensive language and racial epithets. I'm given the choice of pretending that it doesn't matter, or finding somewhere else to be, after the drydocking of the boat. Thanks.
In regards to any questions about "white privilege", I refer you to the following site, with essays on the subject, written by other "whites":
UCCS | WPC Articles
PDF Articles
Caucus and Support Groups
Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
Roots and Branches
White Spaces
Chickens...Home...Roost
Honky Wanna Cracker?
Breaking the Cycle of White Dependence
Membership Has It's Privileges
For you to suggest that because Barack Obama was elected president, our problems are over, and we have achieved parity and equality is preposterous, to say the least. A historic and noteworthy accomplishment, to be sure...but let's not forget, for one minute, how difficult and racially charged was his journey to that office. In fact hate crimes are statistically on the rise, since his inauguration. Explain that. So don't give me that crap about kumbayah, and everything being hunky dory, when the fact that we're having this conversation underscores that everything is "not".
Let me reiterate that my motivation is hardly racist. I have family members who are half-white, and numerous and sundry friends who would laugh at the notion.
In fact, last night I attended my monthly poetry gathering, consisting mainly of a roomful of middle-aged white women, with me and my visiting artist friend being the only black faces in the room. All I got were hugs and praises after my performance, with invitations to reprise. I'm not the problem.