Comments on: Ask the White Guy: ‘I’m a Young White Male; What Do I Have to Apologies (sic) For?’

By: OhioMama

OhioMama — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 21:49:29 +0000

I agree with everything in the article except for

“You cannot have professional success if. . .”

I believe that this young white male will have success whether he embraces diversity or not, even if he doesn’t finish college. He may not get to levels he aspire to, but he will have a job and probably make 2 to 3 times more than the average American. . .

All because he is a white male.

By: getoveritalready

getoveritalready — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 20:03:23 +0000

The promise of “diversity” is that people of many different backgrounds, interests, nationalities, religions, and philosophies will work together in a university or place of employment. The usual strong implication, or occasional stated reason, is that because of their inherent differences, a diverse population possesses complementary skills and experience, and the resulting whole unit would be stronger.

By: Jonscott Williams

Jonscott Williams — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:42:07 +0000

White privilege is never having to wonder if what is happening to you – good or bad – is a function of your race. It is a privilege not to need to constantly view the world through that unfortunately necessary filter. I suspect that he is also experiencing, when in the presence of minorities, a feeling that most of us feel all the time in the presence of Whites, i.e. that each of us is the Black race in miniature, thus what we do/say/produce/create reflects on us and on all Black people.

His use (despite the spelling) of “apologize” is telling. It implies that he feels he is being held responsible for some unnamed wrong. Unless he has been living under a rock, I suspect he has at least a passing awareness of America’s racial history and, therefore the historical treatment of and the reason for resentment felt by Black citizens. What he may be experiencing is what I have found to be common among some Whites … fear of Black anger.

It is the fear that led to Michelle Obama being labeled an “angry Black woman” during the Presidential campaign. It is what Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post was alluding to when he posited that … “To Be Elected, Obama Had To Be Perceived As The ‘Least Aggrieved Black Man In America’”. It is the fear that leads White conservatives to complain about Blacks “playing the race card” when we all know the deck has been stacked for centuries. It is a fear that I believe is part of the American White’s ethos … overcome only by insight, honest reflection and open exposure/disclosure between the races.

The young man need not apologize, but he does need to examine the defensive nature of his reaction (Apologize? Why? For What?) and embark on a journey of discovery … of himself and those who make up the weft and warp of the diverse fabric of our nation.

By: Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:03:39 +0000

I disagree. In common usage, “Latino” and “Anglo” are used in similarly descriptive ways. I also don’t think “many” white Americans find the word “Anglo” offensive, although I’d imagine “many” offensive white Americans have heard the word used in a way they would consider offensive. Luke Visconti, CEO of DiversityInc

By: Tahattawan

Tahattawan — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 15:59:36 +0000

The fact that he’s feeling defensive, and even noticing animosity “from the other direction”, could be a good start if it motivates him to educate himself. Give him a chance–these are the ones we can “reach and teach”–don’t we all still have a lot to learn! Keep up the good work. Many good comments coming out of this discussion!

By: William Baez

William Baez — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 03:27:48 +0000

Anglo? That is an insulting term for lumping all “non-hispanic whites” into. Does that include Jews? Arabs? All the peoples of the Mediterranean? Anglo seems to be used primarily by “Mexican Latinos,” no one else.

By: RC

RC — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 22:05:35 +0000

CEM, Anglo is not the correct term. There is a mistaken parallelism between the words Latino and Anglo. The word originates from Anglia, the Latin name for England. Many white Americans find the term offensive (nothing against the English). I recommend Luke add it to “Things never to say to a white person”.

By: Miyan

Miyan — Wed, 30 May 2012 23:12:33 +0000

Well put! Great information to support your statements!

By: Zoe

Zoe — Tue, 29 May 2012 23:08:10 +0000

Wow….I am really impressed, although I would add one thing to the analogy provided, that the “full access” is only a “Constitutional access” which does not transfer to being “full.” The centuries of the promotion of stereotypical ideologies of inferiority, the centuries of systematic and instutional racism and discrimination that prevent an entire race of being considered fully human, create obstacles on the track that mimic 10 foot hurdles that break down or build up, depending on the manner in which class intersects with educational and social status of the race. And because race as a social construct has been defined by our skin complexion, unlike other immigrants, the relationship of skin to stereotype binds us to the misperceptions that often lead to these things. Before I am a Dr., I am just a black woman, who will be less likely to explain my experience to a receptive audience than you simply because I am “the” member of the oppressed group. We would love to have you speak to our Institution!

By: Mike Jay

Mike Jay — Tue, 29 May 2012 23:00:02 +0000

No need at 21 for you to feel guilty. Im sure your parents are good people. They neglected to let you know that, while they have nothing personally against minorities, they and you have not paid attention to the prejudices levied against minorities. In their love, they would have you believe that you and themselves got where they got on an even playing field. There were people what were not allowed to be on the starting line with you and really were barely in the race; let alone having to run faster just to get to where you started; immigrant or not.