Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible

Urban Hiker

Race has come up on here a bit lately so....

I’d like to know what the Moving Train thinks of this: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2299/2327437707_37aa7c3391.jpg?v=0
It’s an edited copy of a poster hanging around where I work.

All employees were required to attend the first series, ‘Race: The Power of an Illusion’. It ended up causing more racial tension than anything. It was very disappointing since it was pitched to us as opportunity to recognize institutionalized racial and SOCIAL inequities and train us to get people involved in making a change.

Most people came out of the first series feeling that there was a disproportionate focus on racism against African Americans. I work in a very ethnically diverse environment. I expected more representation of ethnic minorities in general, not one exclusive group. Also, in my sessions, when the older WHITE women brought up how they had been discriminated against throughout the years, what they had to say was dismissed as being “off topic”.

Now we are supposed to sit and see how privileged whites are and feel who knows what from there.

What do you all think of an employer making employees attend this? And, do you personally find the poster offensive or racist?

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

says picture unavailable

JOEJOEJOE

edit: I didn't get the gist before I commented.

Urban Hiker

MrSmith wrote:

says picture unavailable

I saved the location using Mozilla. I can make it publicly viewable on Flickr, but I might need to call my union rep first.

Edit: This thread seems like it's done, so I'm removing my flickr link.

Urban Hiker

JOEJOEJOE wrote:

Looks like the majority race wants their chance to whine!

It is a bit lame, as if they want people to view white people as the victims of racism!

Huh, When I read it (and maybe my experience from the first sessions has left me biased), I think it's supposed to be about seeing how whites get everything handed to them and how they should feel about those who are not as "ethnically privileged" as they are.

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

hah is that for real?

What does Making Whiteness Visible even mean? Seems pretty divisive and ignorant to me. I can see how people would be defensive after seeing that. As if white people need special education on how not to be racist. fuck that.

cornnifer

MrSmith wrote:

hah is that for real?

What does Making Whiteness Visible even mean? Seems pretty divisive and ignorant to me. I can see how people would be defensive after seeing that. As if white people need special education on how not to be racist. fuck that.

i don't know about the poster or the slogan. i agree it isn't the best. The fact of the matter is, however, that as whites in the U.S. we have historically recieved priveleged benefits based on our whiteness at the expense of blacks and other racial "minorities". This is a factual statement that many whites take umbrage with.

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

yeah so i need special whitey training on how not to be a racist since my white american-ess prevents me from being a non-prejudiced individual.

fanch75

I'd say whiteness is very visible.

Voting for the Green Party and knowing what's best for poor people:
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/62-knowing-whats-best-for-poor-people/

Being an expert on other cultures:
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/2008/01/23/20-being-an-expert-on-your-culture/

Thinking they are saving the earth because they are vegetarians/vegans:
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/32-veganvegetarianism/

Urban Hiker

fanch75 wrote:

Thinking they are saving the earth because they are vegetarians/vegans:
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/32-veganvegetarianism/

That brings up a good point. When do we get to talk about speciism in the workplace? :cool: