When Bigotry Comes From Unexpected Places

Let's talk about that "Aspects and Assumptions of Whiteness" graphic.

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We often hear that what this country needs is an honest conversation about race. 

Here’s a whole lot of “honesty” for you, from an unexpected place:

Black people are less likely than white people to be self-reliant. 

Black people are less likely to emphasize “rational linear” and “quantitative” thinking. 

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  1. Avatar photo
    Johntadian

    I'm starting to think all this nonsense is a by-product of the COVID epidemic. Idle hands are the devil's workshop, and all that. When locked in your apartment for months at a time, it's a wonder we haven't all gone stir crazy. Politics as entertainment and 24-hour click bait news is all well and good when it's a minor digression from a regular work day; but in this lockdown environment we're in now, its absolutely toxic. The mental and emotional toll this summer is having on our populace will be effecting us for years. Gaia help us all. Uh oh...

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    J.Seravalli

    When I saw the "wash your hands" styled chart I started laughing about punctuality being a desirable white feature or trait. No one these days is punctual. Every time I have a meeting for work or family I always try to be 5 min late. I don't want to be the first one to show up and be forced to make small talk with strangers. So the chart is not only bigoted, but also obsolete.

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  3. Shaybult

    I agree with Jonah's general point. But I do think part of people's reaction to this completely misses the point. "These are all good things and this graphic says blacks don't have these good values!" No. Our culture says these are good things and looks askance at people who don't have them.

    I'll speak to one i have personal experience with: punctuality. It is completely true that in many Latin American countries, punctuality is simply not valued the way it is in the US. That's just the way it is. Jonah's assertion that punctuality is an inherently, objectively "good thing" is influenced by the culture he grew up in and lives in.

    I think others are more nuanced. "Hard work is the key to success." Well sure, everything else being equal. But if there are people who grew up disadvantaged, is it surprising that they might look at people who grew up with money and opportunity readily available and say "well maybe hard work isn't the true key to success- maybe its family money, or whatever."

    I'm not denying that the graphic was overly simplistic, and it definitely had claims I completely disagree with. But to say "This graphic outlines good values and says African Americans don't have those values, so its racist" completely misses the point that assuming those are good values is a function of culture.

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    Bill Nelson

    Mathis Britton has an excellent column, related topic, at National Review.
    https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/07/frances-failed-color-blind-experiment/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NR%20Daily%20Saturday%202020-07-18&utm_term=NRDaily-Smart

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  5. Drussell2337

    Had I just seen the graphic without JG's explanation, I would have thought it was produced by White supremacists.

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    Phil Pennington

    Those folks who assert the need for an honest conversation are not interested in having an honest conversation.

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    Bill Nelson

    You are never going to have that honest conversation, sorry but it’s not possible. This was something Eric Holder talked about in 2009.
    There are so many aspects of this that are regional and societal and exposure time related. The most successful ethnic group in the US: Japanese Americans. The question is why. The way in which Korean Americans integrate into society differs greatly according to the time they and their predecessors have been in the culture. And how do various ethnic groups integrate into different societies?
    And it ain’t just us. Was in Belgium and listened to a rant about how Wallons are lazy and untrustworthy.
    But we do have a history in the US with many groups: Irish, Italians, Hispanics, etc... Each a somewhat different experience.

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    Mandy B.

    It's so offensively parodic and parodically offensive that one (in saner times than ours) would instantly suspect that it's a hoax.

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  9. Scott Mc

    Jonah,
    thanks for the article and articulating the obvious (seriously no offense intended). It is a great example of the wasted time spent on ridiculous conversations that provide limited progress to the human condition. Just like the time and space used on Bari's letter, I am happy she is moving on because she can now refocus on quality journalism that she is really good at - I like her style of writing and can have interesting topics when not discussing culture and the related wars.
    This week as demonstrated in the comment sections has made obvious that these topics are sucking oxygen from the life of valuable and interesting topics which The Dispatch is wonderful at and a reason I enjoy the podcasts and writings.
    My virtue signal of the week (I will patiently but grudgingly wait for next week for my next one) is not reading more than one culture article and no comment sections period. Back to reading the good stories on the courts, the economy, the useless legislative branch, etc...well you get the point there is plenty more interesting, educational and productive. I realized I can't keep blaming the "pusha man" for talkin culture wars, I the customer with choice am to blame and I am kicking it. Less likes will drive new stories. (oops I think I virtue signaled again, dang it!).
    Thanks always for being smart, funny and usually interesting, a pass on today since I am the guilty one here (did it again, dang it).
    Hope you enjoyed the family vacation, no mosquito references upon return, you entered their territory by choice... :)
    Gratitude to you always, I find myself improved after (most :) dang #4) of your works.

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  10. Scott Jenkins

    Jonah, where is Black or Blackness even mentioned in this infographic? It is about whiteness. You made it about Blackness. As a white person I found nothing I disagreed with. I am all that and more. If you constructed a similar infographic on aspects and assumptions of being a Jew would you be offended if a Muslim took offense because they don’t exhibit some of those cultural or religious aspects. Why are you making the assumption also that Blackness is in opposition or less than of whiteness. You make the assumption that things valued in white culture are necessarily the opposite of what is valued in Black culture. That didn’t come from the infographic - it came from you. That is an interesting take on an infographic that was entirely centered around naming white culture.

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