[PEN-L:8244] Whites and Capitalists

["Henry C.K. Liu" <hliu@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>From the perspective of all nonwhites (except as few house slaves), whites
act as a group on race issues, just as from the perspective of socilaists,
captialists act as a group on economic issues.
I have been attacked on another list by a chorus of whites for being a
racist, led by the charge by one: "I'm sick of Henry's casual use of the
term "Whites" as though there's some cohesive group called "Whites" -- I
mean, why not just say "Chinese kill students who protest" or ..."
Not withstanding that Americans do say that, does the fact that some
capitalists are oppressed and exploited by other capitalists makes anyone
who uses the term capitalists a reactionary?
After posting 14 defensive messages on the issue, I was kicked off by the
moderator who objected to my defense while tolerating the attacks on me.
But this post is not about me, it is about a larger issue of whites and
racism.
My position was defended by one fellow non-white who wrote:
"Starting about 500 years ago, the overgeneralized distinction between
whites and coloreds originated with Europeans, who referred to themselves
as whites. Before the 1960's in the U.S. the overwhelming majority of
whites of all classes used this generalization, quite freely and casually
considering themselves
superior to coloreds. The cohesiveness of the group "whites" came from
this internal social , political and economic construction of self or
identity.
This racist social structure has not been obliterated or substantially
abated, despite some gains in that direction. Individual whites cannot
really escape this social structure anymore than individual coloreds
can. The most progressive thinking white individual cannot help but to
benefit from some privileges. The term "whites" remains a very valid
social scientific category and generalization. The fact that something is
socially constructed does not make it indefinite or invalid as a
generalization. Nor does the complex interaction with class make this
generalization inaccurate or unclear.
Henry's use of the generalization regarding whites frequently treating
people of color as lesser humans (racism) , e.g. sending  into danger
zones in war or in mines as human fuses is not at all casual , but every
bit as valid as all kinds of other social and economic generalizations
made on this list and elsewhere.
The claim that white supremacist conduct is no more widespread than
"Chinese kill students who protest" is despicable and racist."

My attackers' argument is: whites treat nonwhites badly only out of
convenience. That makes it not racism.  When nonwhites are unavailable,
white treat other "less whites" equally badly as they did  nonwhites.
What they forget to say is that whites prefer to have non-whites as
victims of first choice.
Some more tolerant whites on the list try to argue that not all whites are
racists.
Yet I have heard the expression: a few rotton apples will ruin a whole
barrel, but never a few good apples will save a rotting barrel.
The more hostile whites accuse me of reverse racism, as if my being a
racist will absolve White racism.  They confuse reactive racism from
reverse racism, a favortie tactic of the likes of Buchanan and Buckley.
Reactive racism is a neccessary defense mechanical for survival on the
part of the victim in a racist reality, not an oppressive tool used the
oppressor to impose racism.
I have never claimed that the elimination of racism will also eliminate
oppression of other kinds.  But it will definitely eliminate oppression
based on race, and that means a lot to victims of racism, all the
nonwhites of the world, about 40% of its population.  Yes, we are in the
minority.
A Black Emma Goldman would have said: "If I can't be free of racism
(instead of dance), you can keep your revolution."

I am often the lone Asian voice on these lists of predominantly white
subscribers and my brothers on the race issue are generally other lonely
nonwhites.
Why is it so difficult for whites to admit that racism is still
rampant?  Because its not true?  Because Henry Liu just imagine it?
Becasue Henry Liu is a reverse racist?


Henry C.K. Liu