What Does It Mean to be Anti-Racist?

Check out Prideland on PBS Voices: • What Does It Mean To B...
In the wake of protests against police violence and the killings of Black and Brown people over the decades, the term "anti-racism" is popping up all over the place. What is anti-racism, and what does it mean to be anti-racist?
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*What is structural or systemic racism?*
When a society is designed in a way that reinforces and perpetuates discrimination against certain races.
*What’s an example of systemic racism?*
Between 2012 and 2016, Black males convicted of a crime received sentences -- on average -- 19 percent longer than white males convicted of essentially the same crime. Perhaps black offenders don’t make as much money as white offenders and so they can’t afford good lawyers. Maybe black people get judges that hand down stricter sentences. Maybe it’s both. But that’s the POINT. Society has been structured in a way that hurts black people harder. And it largely stems from one of the darkest stains on American history -- slavery.
*What does it take to be anti-racist?*
In order to address systemic racism, simply being “not racist” isn’t enough.To quote Ibram X. Kendi -- a historian and leading scholar of race and discriminatory policy in America: “The opposite of ‘racist’ isn’t ‘not racist.’ It is anti-racist.” And that requires work. Anti-racism is an ACTIVE state of mind. It’s the ACTIVE process of identifying and opposing racism.
SOURCES:
What it means to be anti-racist (Vox)
www.vox.com/20...
How to be Anti-racist (CNN)
www.cnn.com/20...
The Anti-Racist Revelations of Ibram X. Kendi (The Washington Post Magazine)
www.washington...
Demographic Differences in Sentencing (United States Sentencing Commission)
www.ussc.gov/s...
Being Antiracist (National Museum of African American History & Culture)
nmaahc.si.edu/...
Antiracism, Our Flawed New Religion (The Daily Beast)
www.thedailybe...
A Glimpse at the Intersectional Left’s Political Endgame (New York Magazine)
nymag.com/inte...
TEACHERS: Get your students in the discussion on KQED Learn, a safe place for middle and high school students to investigate controversial topics and share their voices. learn.kqed.org...
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KQED serves the people of Northern California with a public-supported alternative to commercial media. An NPR and PBS member station based in San Francisco, KQED is home to one of the most listened-to public radio stations in the nation, one of the highest-rated public television services, and an award-winning education program helping students and educators thrive in 21st-century classrooms. A trusted news source, leader, and innovator in interactive technology, KQED takes people of all ages on journeys of exploration - exposing them to new people, places, and ideas.
#antiracism #racism
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[@E_Ten]

2:52 No. This isn't the legacy of slavery. This is the legacy of "liberal" policies. why is it that there are some metrics that were better in the 1920s for blacks than they are today? Why is it that blacks in this country were able to achieve success 60 years after the legacy of slavery, but 60 years after the legacy of liberal policies, and 160 years after the legacy of slavery, we have larger societal disparities than a closer point in time to the supposed cause? Thomas Sowell has some great books to elaborate on this better than I can in a KZbin video. As does Walter Williams. It's the legacy of minimum wage laws, it's the legacy of welfare, it's the legacy of affirmative action, it's the legacy of Brown V Board, it's the legacy of supposedly good intention people who were more interested in absolving themselves of guilt and getting reelected then they were with the question of what the effects of the policies might be.

[@Nimish204]

It's the legacy of Jim Crow and the war in drugs.

[@williegates627]

Racists in 2021 are now called "anti-racists". The grifter Ibram X Kendi is the biggest time-share seller of this trope.

[@0578-x5q]

This just seems like racism to me the rules are applied equally and why aren't we not calling out the Chinese and there racism when I was in China i had to stay in hotels only for black people

[@0578-x5q]

@Sarah Hodgins look at South Africa everybody decided to take the side of Mandela a known terrorist

[@0578-x5q]

@Sarah Hodgins mainly in the United States its the people of colour who are racist very openly at that

[@fernandodeveras]

​@@0578-x5q 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆 By far the funniest comment I've seen yet. Thanks for that 051234567 👍🏽

[@nousernamesarevalid]

I ask you to encourage people of all races to look inwardly at their own biases and call out racism against any race. Too often, these topics are pointed at one group of people and another group can take advantage. If we want to truly move past racism in our society, we need to all play our part.

[@dragonvonwolf5978]

Sooooooo true we need to end this it’s been going on to long

[@pebblepod30]

I don't treat people in a racist way the way woke people do, bc I try to use equal standards. If I ever do, it is an accident. But cool & woke racist anti-racism taught at uni (with massive debts in return) means to judge, treat & meausure ppl differently based on their skin tone and ignore racism depending on what skin tone the people have, even if it's coming from a job position of power. And then accuse people (depending on their skin tone) of racism for anything at all. Sometimes you might even get it right by accident, but by then most sane ppl recognise the utter hypocrisy, inc when from positions of power.

[@cestlavegan5793]

Seems like ~95% of this video assumes anti racism is a good thing, but I’m still not sure it is. I know there are some awful (racist) people out there, but I think most people want to live in a world where skin color is just as trivial as hair color. We want equal opportunity for all. It just seems like anti racism behavior could make us more race obsessed, thus highlighting our differences rather than that which connects all human beings.

[@AboveTheNoise]

We did our best to present the concept of anti-racism to people who were probably hearing it for the first time. We also presented the best argument out there that questions anti-racism as a strategy. But our channel is -- unequivocally -- against racism in whatever form it takes!

[@amc1949]

Since anti-racism is actively calling out racist comments, that means they won't be race obsessed since in order to practice anti-racist actions, it has to be in contrast to racism. The idea of letting racist speak unopposed runs counter to making skin color just as trivial as hair color. Personally I'm all for anti-racism in situations involving multiple people because it combats social norms that are fine with racism and prevents a racist from having an audience unopposed.

[@cestlavegan5793]

Above The Noise The way y’all portrayed/defined anti-racism makes it sound agreeable. I mean of course we should call racist people and policies out. But like everything it can be taken too far, insofar as people are consumed by it and will cry racism without empirical evidence (hence John McWhorter’s religion analogy). I agree with the video’s perspective, I just would’ve liked to see more discussion about the downsides to anti-racism culture.

[@cestlavegan5793]

amc1949 I agree. I just think it can go too far. For example, despite the data most liberals seem to believe that cops disproportionately shoot more unarmed blacks than whites. This strikes me as a side effect of anti-racism mentality.

[@SeNate7776]

​@@cestlavegan5793 I think somebody termed it as reverse racism. After a point they become hasty to jump to false conclusions just because of their presuppositions and are unwilling to accept that they are doing the same thing except the sides have been swapped for them.

[@tracer4322]

I have some concerns about modern-day anti-racism, and here's why. I think people, particularly younger people, are not having productive conservations about race. Calling out people for saying the n-word or making a racist joke online or in your social circle is great, but it doesn't yield long-term results because they can just keep doing the same things behind closed doors. I think a lot of people in my generation (Gen Z) have mistaken shutting down individual racism as activism. When it comes to anti-racism, there is too much of a focus on combatting racism on an individual level instead of finding solutions for structural issues, which isn't very effective in my opinion.

[@alika207]

Great point!

[@helenagackowska8398]

I understand what you mean but every little helps.

[@FrancesBaconandEggs]

👏👏👏👏

[@pebblepod30]

Woke anti-racism means to judge, treat & meausure ppl differently based on their skin tone and ignore racism depending on what skin tone the people have, even if it's coming from a job position of power. And then accuse people (depending on their skin tone) of racism for anything at all. Sometimes you might even get it right by accident, but by then most sane ppl recognise the utter hypocrisy, inc when from positions of power.

[@Werebat]

What is sad is when the performative folks who have no intention of doing anything other than score brownie points with their peers do their thing and call out someone who is actively working to make things better because they said something that could potentially be interpreted as being not anti-racist enough. It feels good to do the superiority dance and get high fives from your social group, but it's actively destructive when used to discredit people who are actually doing work to make things better.

[@lawrenceyvesuy6218]

How can being with well-spoken be racist? I'm asian and I would love people complimenting me about my speech.

[@ryoshockwave]

Well it's kind of a weird thing to comment on at all unless 1) English is your second language and someone wants to compliment that you're learning/speaking it well or 2) the way you talk is particularly literary to the point where it stands out as is worth mentioning. 'Complimenting' an American black guy for being well-spoken in English does kind of imply that you usually think black men aren't particularly well-spoken...even if just subconsciously.

[@snorgonofborkkad]

​@@ryoshockwave This is part of the problem with anti-racism theory. You're automatically racializing the comment instead of seeing it as a comment on the individual. Anti-racism theory doesn't acknowledge a distinction between "a black person" and "a person who happens to be black". That's a big flaw because if we want to eventually live in a non-racist society, we need to see all people as individuals first. Another side effect of this is people in society will avoid complimenting black people on how articulate they are out of fear of being called racist. Last I checked, promoting an social ideology that makes people feel guilty for admiring black people is pretty racist.

[@snorgonofborkkad]

It's not. Only thought policing race activist types misunderstand an obvious genuine compliment like that. It's a very nice thing to tell anyone, black or otherwise, that you admire their intellect. Please never avoid that kind of empowering speech.

[@enoki5415]

i like this video. It's not in your face, it doesn't attack people, it's not passive agressive, it's factual, and it's not gatekeeping. great job

[@brendamartinez6955]

Sure

[@Jonathan-pp5zc]

These sorts of videos makes me sad for the state of the culture in the US.

[@mannytut1378]

"Well intentioned white people" couldnt be telling u how "well spoken" or "cultured" u are because of your eloquence or your knowledge of any topic u were speaking to them about. No. It was definitely an insult. It was definitely systemic racism...

[@user-vf9ee6kn1e]

I can't tell if you're agreeing with the video or not.

[@keithkimsten5111]

Frankly when any conversation includes skin color of any hue I walk away. Those who see in skin color terms are the racists... IMO...

[@user-vf9ee6kn1e]

@@keithkimsten5111It's only racist if they're basing decisions on skin color, but I agree with your point

[@keithkimsten5111]

@@user-vf9ee6kn1e Look up the definition of racism. You may base racism only on skin color but that is not the whole use of the word. Frankly the term racism is used a crutch, an excuse and or to benefit groups of people at the expense of other groups of people. which again is by definition, Racism. Broaden your thinking terms if defeating racism is other than your personal vendetta against others not carrying your cross. Enjoy your Holidays.

[@user-vf9ee6kn1e]

@@keithkimsten5111You can make up definitions all you want, it won't change the fact that discrimination against ANYONE (that includes white people) based ok skin color is racism. Merry Christmas.

[@SayoriWithAGun]

There is a huge difference between the words “not” and “anti”

[@SpongyOLlama]

What? I have been called well-spoken and cultured before and never took offense. Those are compliments.

[@AboveTheNoise]

It all depends on the context. If it is expressed with surprise, or as if you are an exception to some stereotype, it has a different impact than if someone is just complimenting you because they like your speech patterns. It’s kinda like if you are a girl who throws a fast pitch and people say “wow, you’ve got a great arm…” and you know they want to add, “for a girl.” They might not come out and say that last part, but the meaning still comes across.

[@babyamyxo-o6c]

@@AboveTheNoise That's a much more relatable example 😊

[@popularpopcorn8108]

This sounds like it’s all 95.61% inaccurate

[@JoeMama-ml5zh]

Lmfao, What's an example of systemic racism? "Black men get longer sentances. Is it because they can't afford lawyers? Because judges are more strict with black men? Who knows! That's the point!" I'd say it's pretty fuckin' important to find those answers bud. They can't be bothered to do studies on the "why's" I guess.

[@keithkimsten5111]

Racism will never end as long as those people who see skin color first and always can and will only converse in those terms. Especially if they are leading the conversations. They are the driving force that exacerbates that which they decry every day of their lives. Wittingly or unwittingly...

[@christiantopayung5789]

So the basic idea is "You're either with us, or against us"

[@bconni2]

it's a lose lose for more rational folks

[@user-ot3jf1bl1b]

It's the idea of standing up for what's right. So, sure, you can be for or against what's right....

[@CloudeAytr]

I'd say in a more general sense it's "If you have the capability and opportunity to improve something or fix a problem you should."

[@christiantopayung5789]

@@CloudeAytr why should anyone obligated them self to take action? Especially if they don't want to?

[@bconni2]

​@@user-ot3jf1bl1b ...the Maoists and Lenin felt they were doing what's right...

[@r.bradshaw5870]

Treat all people with respect , until they give you a reason not to ! Respect is earned !

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

@Jack Brown even a nine year old understands basic decorum, so yeah like everyone else, he does, the kid that hung himself is smarter than you lol

[@misterlyle.]

High profile speakers have declared as much. Respect that is earned is not the only kind of respect there is.

[@r.bradshaw5870]

@@misterlyle. That was a misleading statement I made ! yes , basic respect of all things in life should be a given . Beyond , basic respect for all life and common respect for each other , there is a earned respect ! No, a.nine year old should not have to earn respect , but all children should be taught it !

[@misterlyle.]

@@r.bradshaw5870 Thanks for your reply. I absolutely agree with your description of basic and earned respect. I could add another kind, which is respect for natural things like weather, gravity, and so forth. The power and dangers of nature must be respected, in order to protect your own welfare and safety as well as that of others. I suppose this could be a form of self-respect.

[@noble9759]

My high-school English class thought it was a good idea to shove this down our throats lol i hate the education system

[@mr.blulights1165]

Let no man or woman tell you how you should feel.

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

Unless you're white, then everyone else gets to decide your thought feelings and value

[@chrishaven1489]

​@@hallucinatedovens8414 Ah, yes. The history of white people being told what to think and feel by other cultures. That is exactly how history went down.

[@maxsettings2906]

@@chrishaven1489 I know how it went down when arabs and other blacks sold blacks to Europeans

[@user-vf9ee6kn1e]

@@hallucinatedovens8414 Right now it's mostly the opposite, it's a ton of white people saying that black people are offended and being discriminated against when they aren't and then telling them they're wrong if they say otherwise.

[@BReNĐN-c6n]

Anti racism is new racist racism

[@mr.blulights1165]

If segregation was bad then why is there a call for it ? I feel bad fpr all thr actual civil rights heroes of the past its all being undone. Big majority by the same people whom he fought for. So.... yeah id be rolling in my grave. God bless mlk and Fredrick Douglas and so many others.

[@Afrometa]

Oh and fredrick Douglas has nothing to do with this movement.. He wasn't alive 🥴 damn schools have really failed us

[@geertvlaenckx9942]

Antiracism is racism... End of story

[@mallow5828]

Videos like these are incredibly important, and more people should know that just not being racist isn't enough. Only when we begin to address racism as a society (as well in our political and economic systems) can we break the chains of structural racism and achieve true equality. It will take time and work, but it can (and must) be done if enough people are willing to take a stand to confront our past and make it right. Thank you for making this!

[@AboveTheNoise]

Sorry to be late in thanking you for this kind feedback!

[@Matt-ro7cb]

@@AboveTheNoise what are your thoughts in Ibram Kendi saying that the only remedy for past discrimination is present discrimination? He's one of the leading speakers on anti racism. He spells out how we have to be racist to those who were racist to us in the past. AKA be racist to children because people with their skin color may have been racist in the past. Or how about Robin DiAngelo saying all whites are racist and if you deny it youre just showing how racist you are? You try and present this as something noble and great but its quite literally state sanctioned discrimination. Your line of thinking goes completely against Martin Luther King Jrs message where we should judge people by their character not their skin. You are teaching people to judge people based on their skin color first and foremost. You may fool the bleeding hearts with your double speak but a lot of people see through your lies.

[@AboveTheNoise]

@Matt - can you share a direct quote from Ibram X. Kendi to respond to? Some producers on the show have read his book "How To Be An Antiracist" and don't recall him making that argument. And some of us have also read "White Fragility" and it's true that she makes the argument that racism is deeply ingrained that it can be hard for white people to recognize, especially because they associate it with being a "bad person" instead of being a part of a social/institutional system that supports white supremacy. Antiracism doesn't call for judging anyone by the color of their skin. It calls for recognizing the ways in which we've all been raised within systems that discriminate against people of color (access to education and bank loans, the criminal justice system, etc.) and it takes an active effort from people of ALL racial groups to 1) recognize and understand racism and 2) do something to change it. It's not about discriminating against other groups, or taking power away from them - it's about leveling the playing field for groups who have been pushed down.

[@Matt-ro7cb]

@@AboveTheNoise “The only remedy to racist discrimination is antiracist discrimination. The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination.” Type the quote into google it’s literally the most cited quote from the book. Diangelo said all whites are racist and denying it is proving their racism , that’s not whites saying it doesn’t exist. That’s clear cut saying everyone of a particular skin color is inherently racist. There’s no argument against that, you simply have to admit you’re racist. It’s like a religion without the redemption. What do you mean by white people thinking it makes them a bad person? Of course it does. Being labeled a racist is quite literally the worst thing you could label someone. You know quite well labeling someone a racist is the easiest way to get someone fired and destroy their credibility , it’s also the only thing that requires zero evidence since as one of the pioneers of anti racism states, all white people are inherently racist.

[@mallow5828]

@@Matt-ro7cb The words of two men cannot be used to categorize the entirety of antiracism.

[@amberharrison2954]

You do realize your turning against the other half of your army? Could you imagine going to war against another country and just before the battle begins half the army starts fighting the other half half instead of standing shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Seems like our country is already dealing with these conflicts between ourselves, without any external war. This video is really an attempt to understand what is creating these divisions and how we can all get to a place of deeper empathy…the building block of solidarity and cohesion.

[@amberharrison2954]

@@AboveTheNoise but why is it aimed at a race rather than the system itself? This is where we can find common ground. It's always the same attack the people that would rather stand with you then against you. The system is going after all of us in different ways. if your an elite with green or plastic privilege then you control the system the system control's the minds of the masses. All I'm saying is it's always going after the wrong white people, if you would see that then we would have the support in numbers against the system. It's not black vs white its rich vs poor.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for engaging in conversation about this - it’s such a complicated topic. The video does get into how anti racism is really not about focusing on any individual’s behaviors, but instead focusing on the systems that uphold racism. It’s a call to white people to join people of color in understanding how these systems (bank loans, healthcare, education, government, criminal justice, etc.) have evolved to discriminate against certain groups and benefit others. If we all work together to demand change and hold powerful people accountable for these policies and systems, it will benefit everyone who is not in the tiny (mostly white) minority who controls it all. In theory, anti racism will benefit everyone who is currently excluded - not transfer that power and privilege to any one racial group. But if course, it’s in the interest of the current power structure to make it seem like anti racism is about racial division instead of class unity and solidarity.

[@amberharrison2954]

@@AboveTheNoise I agree with you, we got big pharma, big tech, Msm, government, public school systems. We are affected by the same elite giants but in different ways. You can't accomplish support in numbers if the other half of your army thinks your targeting them. Right now the power is with you we kinda need you to lead this revolution.. Ill watch the video if I'm wrong about this then I will suggest it to others. Just saying consider what it is we're loosing by in fighting.

[@AboveTheNoise]

@@amberharrison2954 I think we can agree 💯it’s not about fighting- it’s about empathy and working together to fix what’s not right - we can’t wait for anyone in power to do that for us

[@totsukabladez369]

The most racist people are the greatest people. After all, I am racist towards humanity, so I treat everybody equally. So by human standards I am the most “accepting” person possible.

[@austindboyd]

There is NO beating racism...

[@ms.johnson822]

excellent. I will share this with my students immediately! We need more courageous conversations and difficult discussions so we can do speak truth tp power and do something, ACTION time.

[@ΑπελΚαλιεΡαΧαιρε]

Teach them about Churchil.He said ''The future of fascism will be antifascim". The guy who fought the real fascism.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thank you for watching and sharing with your students. We hope it helps spark a good, meaningful discussion and yes - ACTION. Please let us know how it goes!

[@bconni2]

when you say "action time" are you talking about burning ( mostly Black ) neighborhoods....? not hearing many educators in the liberal arts condemning the riots....

[@babyamyxo-o6c]

How old are your students?

[@johnperrin2837]

"you're well spoken" is just a compliment...don't over think it bud haha

[@BenjaminMartinyt]

It isn’t a compliment when the perpetrator is only saying so with the assumption that someone that appears to have a different ethnic background, may not be as “well spoken” as the people in the majority. Emphasis on appears and assumption.

[@teiem5456]

Why are "you are so well-spoken" and "your so cultured" insults to you? For me those would be compliments, especially the first one since I am not a native englisch speaker (though in my language too). As you might can tell I am neither black nor from the US

[@AboveTheNoise]

It's an issue because the person who says "You're so well-spoken" or "You're cultured" assumed -- before hearing Myles speak -- that he would NOT be well-spoken or cultured. The person is surprised. This is in Myles's native language of English, mind you!

[@SeNate7776]

@@AboveTheNoise Maybe the assumption was not based on race but upon lack of literacy that impacts people with lower incomes primarily but also those who do not care about their use of the English language. While I would cringe at people using those phrases, because of potentially negative connotations that you have pointed out, I would be hesitant to criticize the individual for it, after all, it was seemingly intended to be a compliment, albeit a questionable one. Perhaps the best solution would be to confront those individuals and tell them of its connotation for you to prevent potentially questionable phrases that may be found as offensive to certain groups of people. After all, if they have these positive intentions as expected, they will most likely try to remove it from their language for future uses to prevent the discomfort of others.

[@teiem5456]

@@AboveTheNoise thank you for the clarification :)

[@AboveTheNoise]

@@SeNate7776 Yes! That's EXACTLY what the concept of anti-racism would want you to do! Call out prejudice and bias and explain the issue. As we say in the video, saying those compliments that turn out not be compliments doesn't make someone a bad person. It's a learning opportunity!

[@ChristopherCurtis]

This can be difficult. The response is steeped in history. Assume that the phrase is followed by: "... for a black person". Very broadly speaking, it's there implicitly. If you run into someone at a coffee shop and they're having some high-falutin' conversation, it doesn't fit the stereotype the US media portrays most black people to have. So it's a surprise. Now, it's also a surprise if the person is white because you don't expect that in a coffee shop. The difference is that the person who tells the black person that they're well-spoken likely wouldn't say it to the white person.

[@dhindaravrel8712]

Why is it racist to compliment someone about being well-spoken or cultured? It's not necessarily meant to imply 'for a black person'. As a non-native speaker of English, I've always felt good about myself when someone who I also considered well-spoken said that I was, especially while I was still learning the language and working really hard to get there. I do understand, however, how it can be considered a bit snobbish for Europeans to compliment Americans on their spoken English.

[@AboveTheNoise]

It's an issue because the person who says "You're so well-spoken" or "You're cultured" assumed -- before hearing Myles speak -- that he would NOT be well-spoken or cultured. The person is surprised that this is not the case. This is in Myles's native language of English, mind you!

[@cestlavegan5793]

Above The Noise Knowing the complimenter’s thoughts is crucial here. That the complimenter is surprised is the insulting bit of this. Think we just needed more context from Myles here 🙂

[@AboveTheNoise]

@@cestlavegan5793 Good to know!

[@dhindaravrel8712]

@@AboveTheNoise That still doesn't necessarily make it an issue of race, though. I'm not saying it isn't, and maybe it was in those specific circumstances. My point is, I don't think this can be generalised.

[@Herr_Vorragender]

@@cestlavegan5793 Exactly! However speech is a double edged sword. It is the surprise that is the insult. If there was no racism at all. Never has and never will. Then the expression "You're well spoken" can not be an insult. Even if said with a surprise. That however does NOT legitimize the expression in our world and context. Because we speak every word with the weight of worlds of culture and even more non verbally. That being said, I am not the one who decides how my words are understood. So if I'm not the one, then you must be the one who decides. Since I don't know your culture, and we could talk for years without me ever fully understanding your culture, I can only do my best to minimize the offensive impact my words have on you. But vis a vis. I'm German. How would you choose your words in order to not offend me? How many topics can you imagine you should better not touch?

[@NORAMA01]

I ain't racist, but I love myself some offensive comedy.

[@NORAMA01]

BUT. There are definitely bars not to be crossed

[@LittleBaboon]

Excellent Video. Now can you please explain with the same level of unbiased arguments what an Anarchist and a Communist is? Thank you.

[@MultiCappie]

The communists are the people who discriminated harshly against minorities in their country. Their leader was Joseph Stalin, who was brought up with a Christian education. To prevent future Stalins, we require scrutiny on the question of religious education.

[@MultiCappie]

Well? You got your answer...

[@bconni2]

the BLM organization ...there's your anarchists right there...

[@bconni2]

@@MultiCappie the "minorities", being the people who had their shit together...? cus most people don't have their shit together...

[@specialjellies3072]

Ever heard of Lazar Kaganovich and Genrikh Yagoda?

[@BReNĐN-c6n]

Endless lies regarding police brutality on black peoples

[@kevo88961]

horrible video... you are not helping black people, your putting more barriers for them..good for you!

[@Werebat]

Wow. This was impressively fair and impartial. "We're not going to tell you what to think" - it's statements like this that will take a person like me, who has some issues with performative and power seeking "anti-racism", and make them give the whole idea a second look. And kudos for including McWhorter, who I loved even before I knew he spoke about this stuff (my first exposure was to his work in linguistics). Well done. Well done.

[@kennedyz9406]

It makes me so sad

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

Stop believing the lies them dumba ss

[@kiera444]

@@hallucinatedovens8414 huh

[@realtalk7547]

Longer sentences: he forgot one, 6% of the population committed over 50% of the murders and the Recidivism rate is over 60% with many of the convictions being given to criminals who are back in front of the judges for the 20th time. One can nit have an honest discussion when we Conveniently omit very important facts. We only hurt our arguments and our people. Watch for bad in the system, yes, but teach our children better and to not assume that its a systemic problem when that is not the major issue.

[@Anita.Cox.]

Source: trust me bro.

[@Submanca]

I am not sure if I am just not racist or anti-racist? I try not to see the colour of people and just see the person. Sure if someone is blatantly racist I call them out but that just seems reasonable to me. As far as I can tell some people just don't know how to treat others.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for your comment!

[@alika207]

I have literally been blind since birth. Even though I can't see color with my eyes, I am aware that people can be many different colors, and to me, that makes humanity beautiful. Your color is very much a part of who you are.

[@user-vf9ee6kn1e]

@@alika207 Right, but it shouldn't be what defines you. These "anti" racist people are trying to make race the most important thing about people.

[@hallowakers3d2y]

@@user-vf9ee6kn1eyes dont back down from them either. They are so wrong

[@stephenjordan5301]

If you are anti something means you for the what you are aposing

[@akatgif]

Misguided but well intentioned people who are hypersensitive words what other people say. Hypersensitive people having expectations of what others should and shouldn't say; embodiment of emotional insecurity. This whole guilt tripping of each other instead of accepting people are going to say the wrong thing and do the wrong thing and there ain't Jack sht ever going to do about it till the end of time. This guided people thinking that they're going to change the world but instead they're just wasting their energy, their time and their life.

[@AboveTheNoise]

It’s just kind of hard to make that judgement when your existence hasn’t been questioned, threatened and oppressed by language and laws created by a dominant racial group. What feels hypersensitive to those who are in the dominant group has a lot more stakes for those who have so little power in society and have to fight for what they do have.

[@pebblepod30]

@@AboveTheNoise Hello Noise. Pls note I will contront your own racism if you are going to make such assumptions about me simply based on skin tone or disamreement with what i see as racist principles. From you r above comment: If you are black in 2022 (not 1952) in the US that us not the group you are in, you are in a privleged group in racial terms that everyone else is supposed to tip toe around. Here is a fact you can see everywhere: 90% of racist hate comments on Facebook where towards light skinned people. This is the same in schools & Uni coming from people in positions of POWER. Try using an equal measure on anything in the US, you will see that racism is very acceptable (even encouraged) if you have darker skin; and unacceprtable if you have lighter skin. This fits my own experience of the racist ideas & attitudes of CRT i was taught when younger (racist white guilt culture). Were you also taught racial guilt & racial resentment culture? Bc you sound like you were (but i don' tknow you). Is there racial disparites from PAST racist govt polices? Of COURSE. EVERYONE EVERYONE EVERYONE agrees with that fact. The dispute is this: (1) Is racist attitudes & polcies the best solution OR policy that is based on need & action? E.g. if two people, one with light skin (John) & one with dark skin (James) both come from a poor family without property & no inheritance, should James only get a hand up bc of his skin tone (the woke type policy in farming that Biden enacted in Covid relief & being sued for) OR the actual non-racist policy where they are treated equally, woke racism be dammed?? Which one do you stand for? Very simple question. (2) Is racism in the past (inc from postions of actual power) a good reason to teach & promote people to be racist today, and claim it is "anti-racist"? Do you stand for domination & submissiveness or the idea we are equal & should be treated as such, without making history an excuse? (thus a rejection of racial guilt & racial resentment). You can look up the things the "abti-racism" crowd says and see the overtly racist views they hold about themselves & others. Even in their priestly class. So, do you endorse such racism (inc from a position of power? teacher, uni lecturer, Principle, Big Tech, etc), or do you stand for EQUAL STANDARDS of ethics? Again, VERY simple question. (3) Do you assume every white person is in a positon of power over every dark skinned person, despite no evidenc eof this being available, and ignoring counter evidence? Or do you go by actual postion person has to abuse their power? (4) Does CRT anti-racist policy hurt or help poc?? I put to you that if you look up the data, look up where it has been practiced the longest (e.g. Seatle), the practice of CRT makes poc fall further & further behind. If you look at Conservative schools, ppl with dark skin are much closer to ppl with light. Have you considered what that means?

[@Anita.Cox.]

1. Every poor person got poverty relief not just black people, black people are more likely to be poor and are more likely to get relief. 2. No one is being taught to be racist as a way to be anti racist, anti racism is acknowledging that the systems that exist were reliant on racism and that racism or effects of racism redlining for example still permeate modern day society. 3. Not a single person believe that every black person is powerless and every white person is powerful it is a made up argument that serves as a gotcha moment. 4. CRT is a optional add on to a optional law degree that teaches that racism still permeates law like how 5 grams of crack gives you 5 years buy you would need 100 grams of crack for the same sentence. Your whole response is just a massive gotcha of "well black people can be racist to so clearly structural racism doesnt exist" and you also dont have any sources for your claims.

[@enduringbird]

This video is really helpful. You do such a good job with your videos everytime.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for watching and leaving this kind comment! We appreciate your feedback.

[@ginnyjollykidd]

There are plenty of white people in my condo community, but also a few black people as well. One day one white lady asked a question of me and other white residents around the table about a black resident coming up the sidewalk. "Do you think that black man [question I don't remember now]?" No one offered an answer, and I told her I didn't know. "But here he comes: why don't you ask him?" as this gentleman approached and passed close to us to go into the condo building. She didn't say any more and the subject was dropped. I hope I jarred these fellow condo neighbors into thinking about their actions and words.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Good for you for speaking up and asking critical questions that help people to think more before they speak or act in a racist way.

[@hazemdweik6321]

In my country, racism isn't a thing

[@ΑπελΚαλιεΡαΧαιρε]

Do you have immigrants?

[@hazemdweik6321]

@Sir Knight Errant Israel, that is

[@KushInhailer215]

Them: you talk white... Me: I do not speak of Caucasian dialect, I’m anti-racist

[@misterlyle.]

Anytime an activist demands participation or else face accusations of complicity, there is a big problem. Maybe it's already time for "New-Antiracism," or "Reformed Antiracism."

[@ImChrisDuke]

junk.

[@scar3881]

i hate school ;-;

[@robr.5044]

This is not accurate.

[@catalyst3713]

Why did you imply the justified killing of Breonna Taylor as an example of "structural racism"?

[@matshagstrom9839]

Take school entrance criteria. They are highly biased against Asians for the benefit of black, Hispanics and natives

[@AboveTheNoise]

Affirmative Action was never intended to give a leg up to ALL racial minority groups simply because of their racial group. If you read the history of these policies, it was originally intended to specifically offset the economic hardships caused by slavery, Jim Crow laws, racial discrimination within our immigration systems, and other SYSTEMIC barriers that some groups face more than others. Over time, colleges began to take a more superficial approach to affirmative action, just checking the box on racial diversity quotas rather than looking more deeply at an applicant's socioeconomic background. It's an interesting and complicated history - here is one journalist and scholar's examination of it: www.nytimes.com/2024/03/13/magazine/civil-rights-affirmative-action-colorblind.html

[@matshagstrom9839]

So affirmative action should only be for Black people? And only those Black people who were direct descendants of slaves? Race relations are far from perfect, but they never will be. I wasn’t born in this country, but I’ve been here long enough to see that race relations are today far better than what they used to be. The idea that race relations are getting worse as a fallacy propagated by the media. it seems to be very popular to promote this notion. I think it would be much more stimulating to hear that people are actually getting along better which I think we are. You’re a little young to have solid perspective, but do you really believe that racial relationship especially among young people is worse today than it was when you were young? If people are going to maintain their separate culture, values and ideologies, they will always be differences, and this inevitably will create some tension. Please show me evidence of large groups of minorities getting along without friction over long periods of time anywhere in world history. I am far more optimistic about this topic then what I hear on mainstream news, and what seems to be the popular narrative.

[@AboveTheNoise]

@@matshagstrom9839 No, I'm raising the point that affirmative action policies were originally less about giving admission advantages to specific racial groups to increase diversity, and more about allowing greater admission opportunities to groups historically excluded from legal, economic and political systems. Leveling the playing field, so to speak. But those ideas have been warped by colleges over time in an effort to check diversity boxes, which is a very different goal. I'm definitely not saying things have gotten worse...just that we can keep doing better, and that striving for real equality is not a done deal.

[@matshagstrom9839]

Let me guess? You tend vote on the left side of the spectrum.

[@AboveTheNoise]

@@matshagstrom9839 Working to improve equality shouldn't be a political position, though, right?

[@lazergurka-smerlin6561]

The best way to be anti racist is to say "bruh" when someone says the n word

[@CoolbonnieXD]

Who are you, and why are you so wise in the ways of science

[@bconni2]

the flaw in what you're saying , is that it implies white people are inherently racist...

[@lucasfc4587]

b conni who are you talking to?

[@bconni2]

@@lucasfc4587 ..??? uh, like the person who's comment i'm replying to....

[@lucasfc4587]

b conni I was about to say It does not imply that white people are racist, but in a way the person used “when”, so it’s not a characteristic that is intrinsic, but expected in some way. So yeah, kind of

[@flipiflap22]

Yeeeaaa more brainwashing xD

[@user-ru2tq7lq1u]

Fax like just dont be black

[@ginnyjollykidd]

True that many White people take the sideline approach and go on enjoying the things white people have more access to than Black people. Things like medicine, insurance, housing, jobs; pretty much anything that requires a human being to make a decision. In fact this Covid-19 pandemic has shown how societally racist - _de facto racist_ - we are in the most basic of needs, medicine. The death toll and infection counts showed how Black people suffered much more proportionally than any other demographic, especially White people. It showed up in the offering of vaccine to Black people vs. White people; not only because they didn't trust the vaccine but because Black people historically were treated abominably in such secret experiments as those conducted at Tuskegee Institute, experiments in which White doctors and administrators conducting the tests never told the Black people they experimented on that they were part of these experiments and never got their permission to do them. In addition, a Black lady named Henrietta Lacks who had cancer never gave permission for anyone to harvest some cancer cells to create a line of human cells used in research today. These and other acts done on Black people without their knowledge and express permission have eroded and destroyed what little trust Black people have in White people and anything White America has to offer. Of all people, Black people need protection against the pandemic most, and yet they refused to get it on sad but very justified grounds. Mind you, this is not the same as White people parading around without masks and attending packed venues and not getting the vaccine. These White people "exercising their rights" (erroneously: there are no such rights) are just acting stupidly. Yes, leaders in Black society stepped up to talk to these reluctant Black community members, but *they shouldn't have had to.* There is much to be done. And every day more to be addressed comes to light.

[@discontinuedchannel9957]

😴

[@markwillard6353]

This is a case study for why the dislike count was removed

[@vokay]

Wow another racist Polish who would've thunk.

[@manasvijadcharla1915]

I want to know about all of the stereotypes against black people so I can detect them and get rid of them in my head, looking them up right now brb

[@alpine1600s]

🐮💩 you are accountable for your actions. The day you don't take accountability for your actions is the day you lose your freedom.

[@Syisulis]

1984...

[@EmilianoMartinez-fo3sd]

Quit Talking about it. I grew up and had never heard that never did until it it became Politically Correct and the main stream media and others looking in from the outside decided to start a BAD DISCOMFORT ZONE., and here we are. I for the most part have traveled the Continental United States 🇺🇸 and never have seen or even a hint of racism. I am 70 years old, btw GREAT VIDEO 👍🏼

[@jerry-cw9yw]

bullying and racism are important threads in the fabric of this country. try leaving the conus and see what its like. I think the world is great even with it, but not without the USA

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

More like the right for a man to dictate his own destiny without being burdened by parasitic people or entities, we've failed at this goal

[@jerry-cw9yw]

@@hallucinatedovens8414 no free rides, burdens come no matter what....buttercup

[@cet6507]

one of my best friends has some f'ed up biases; but when he says something racist around me he also flinches.... he knows I'm gonna slug him, and he's starting to notice the flinch is deserved. I have influence over my friends, and they feel my anti-racisium , how much do your friends know or feel your position? :)

[@AboveTheNoise]

Good question! Would be interesting topic for a video...

[@shelbyramin1376]

Look up "positive racism".

[@diane7352]

I wish they would qualify the information they are gi ch ing. Who collects it? Also, I compliment white (women especially-got to support my gender!)and all women on attributes that help them do well. Everyone ISN'T well spoken. It is a skill. My sister is NOT well spoken. I am. It makes me sad that telling my fellow sisters (of color) that I applaud a skill they have makes me "racist".....and CD racist even though my children are biracial. Please stop judging us like that. I DO call out race issues from both sides as a mother to biracial children. Trust me, prejudice and harrassment come from both sides.

[@elviscoso01]

What is a race?

[@danieln7777]

When people try to get somewhere as fast as possible.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Daniel N 😂

[@elviscoso01]

lol

[@elviscoso01]

@@danieln7777 Then I'm glad than racists are just ppl who discriminate against other ppl who try to get somewhere as fast as possible. I thought it was something worst.

[@mr.blulights1165]

Mixed races will rule the world yo

[@aryaabnave2868]

@Monster Mash why i can say however i want and still be a good educated person also white people like you just reek of jealousy

[@darynadixon8759]

Awesome video! On point! 🌈💜💚🌍🙏✝️🥳🎉♥️🖤💗💙🤎🤍

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thank you for watching!

[@SaucerJess]

And the land in East Austin is built on a landfill so all of our houses move 😞💜

[@diane7352]

Mine is too. I am white. No bu ody sa iui d "hey yourchouse is builtvon a lanfill and efire I bought it.

[@OlivierFRscooter]

I think there are two things here : 1) mentalities take a shit load of time to change 2) the usa has got a freaking huge problem with about everything I personally think that (when the racism is at a lesser degree such as where I live in France) at your own level you shouldn't care about anything linked to identity (be it skin color gender w/e), and I also think taking everyday loud action against racism is not necessarily the best thing to do, because you're giving visibility to the other end. I firmly believe that visibility, even if bad, gives a lot of power (Trump? Advertising in general?). Using common sense in everyday life, acting calmly against offensive and agressive behavior you see or hear directly is to me the most effective way of nullifying the problem. Another think I kind of don't like, even if I get the idea, is putting people in boxes : african-american, asian-american, women writer... While this is surely meant to give visibility and empower the weaker community, the simple fact of saying it, giving this level of detail implies to me that there is a difference to tell, and I don't believe that it should be normalized. What difference should it make if the writer is a woman, if the guy is african-american etc? (except if it's linked to the topic of sexism, racism etc of course, I'm more talking about everyday life). But again, this is from where I live where racism exists but at a much smaller scale than in America, it's hard to say that how I think is applicable there.. Would like to see your answers and thoughts, peace

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and share your perspective -- it's really interesting to hear your reflections as someone living in a different country (France), with its own legacy of colonialism and racism that is very different in some ways to what we see in the USA. It would be super interesting to compare the two countries when it comes to how we treat marginalized groups. In the video, we describe anti-racism as really not focusing on someone's personal identity - but rather focusing on how society creates legal categories of identity that individual humans fall into due to their skin color, sex, religion, etc. And anti-racism is really about analyzing and understanding how those socially constructed identities negatively impact certain groups, while benefitting others. You're absolutely right that focusing on these systems of oppression reinforces these different identities and could possibly "normalize" them -- but at the same time, anti-racist thinking would respond that you need to first understand how these categories are constructed and work to discriminate against certain groups before you can dismantle and reimagine society to be more equal and free of "identity politics."

[@OlivierFRscooter]

@@AboveTheNoise Yes, I agree. Racism in the US seems to be at a point where anti-racism seems compulsory to counteract racism effectively. In a way, it's like alliances vs corps's management, sometimes it's a bit extreme and loud in its own way but we need those people to bring some balance in the worklife. Maybe here in France, I feel like we are closer to this balance to not NEED anti-racism to advance and progress towards everyone being not racist (which, if racism wasn't a thing anymore, would be perfect I think).

[@svetzy]

Good video! I must say though - you ARE well spoken (not an insult). I'm not saying it couldn't be a backhanded compliment, but what if people are just complimenting you without regard to your race?

[@thesandreckener]

have you read Descartes? His system of ethics is very well done, and fixes problems in many other fields!

[@januaryramadhan7765]

I clicked this video because I thought he look very similar with james harden lol

[@Aloha967-tree-fo-wer]

Great video with good insight. I worry though, about the individuals who make anti-racism an annoyance through their voice. Such as the person who is overly zealous in their religion.

[@timothygarycarolus1018]

Why didn't you elaborate on what John Mcwhorter was say with regards to the religious structure of being anti-racist ? This didn't feel "above the noise". In your other content, you actually delve into the pros and cons of what is being discussed (your electoral college video comes to mind). Can you elaborate on the opposing view in future?

[@AboveTheNoise]

First of all - thanks for watching and sharing this feedback! For the context of this video, we felt we adequately summarized the best critique of anti-racism. Here's an article that McWhorter wrote on the topic for those who want to know more: www.thedailybeast.com/antiracism-our-flawed-new-religion

[@timothygarycarolus1018]

@@AboveTheNoise thank you for your response. I will look into this. 🤔

[@ethanherzing652]

Amazing video

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks!

[@Kianarevision]

Nice post! I hope you'd enjoy my videos too. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@thedot3814]

You will never be my friend.

[@keithkimsten5111]

Damn that freedom of speech huh... No worries... That freedom ends soon, hope you like what replaces it better...(you won't) Shrug...

[@AboveTheNoise]

We just try to model a certain basic civil discourse here that involves not insulting or using excessive cussing, since the majority of our audience is young people. You crossed a line that is all about our guidelines around respect, not expressing a dissenting opinion. We welcome that.

[@keithkimsten5111]

@@AboveTheNoise You are blurring your intent... I've "crossed the line/ we welcome that," leaves me to wonder your intent. Clarify please.

[@AboveTheNoise]

@@keithkimsten5111 your original post, which we removed, was pretty aggressive. It did not engage with us or our audience in a respectful way. If you don't understand why that is, it may be pointless to clarify.

[@keithkimsten5111]

@@AboveTheNoise Got it.. Above the Noise only wants compliance to your own set standards... Some will see that as racist (to seperate people into groups then apply different treatment favoring one group over another.) But hey! It's not like freedom of speech is actually a freedom anymore huh.. I am sure you will delete this too.. I'm blocking you anyways as I don't care for racism or racists.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Your speech has been censored here because you used foul and insulting language that does not comply with our community guidelines for our comment section. You were not being discriminated against because of your race, which is the definition of racism. We have no way of even knowing your race from this exchange, by the way.

[@skybluskyblueify]

Was the child in the background [ 9:56 ] of the person that talked about the future and grandchildren put there on purpose or was their actions just serendipitous?

[@AboveTheNoise]

Totally a coincidence! I swear!

[@jamesbarker5708]

hi

[@kjreisig]

Well done, I wish this was my first introduction to ant-racism.

[@unbleed1337]

lol.

[@brendamartinez6955]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Nameless10949]

people aren't being killed for being black

[@staceybarkerhamilton5652]

I love the video EXCEPT for the part where he states that it makes sense for schools to have dress codes to prevent distractions from revealing or inappropriate clothing. They only show girls wearing a tank top and ripped jeans. This is pretty sexist and makes me angry. It is not the females fault for a male getting distracted. These lists discipline girls far more than boys.

[@SeanWinters]

So you're saying girls never wear revealing clothing to provoke guys? Girls never stuff their bras, never wear exposed thongs, never wear things purposefully designed to grab boy's attention? Using your own logic, It's not the boy's fault they're distracted.

[@marossi]

Hey bro. Amazing channel. I would love to see you make a video on taxing succesful people and companies. From my understanding, taxing the rich will make everyone poorer. But I think you could dig a little deeper.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for watching! We will definitely focus on income inequality in the new season coming up -- and taxation is an interesting angle. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@marossi]

@@AboveTheNoise Great! One topic everyone who talks about income inequality misses is: The actual problem with a large wage gap between the different classes. Like, why is it a problem different classes have such a big gap!

[@lamontpies7816]

Sounds like jealousy.

[@unelectedbureaucrat2003]

It means to be anti-white

[@G-H-Productions11]

No it means to be anti racist.

[@G-H-Productions11]

If it was anti white, they’re wouldn’t be white people at the protest

[@bconni2]

@@G-H-Productions11 ..but they're white people who've been brainwashed by their Marxists- post modernists professors to hate themselves because they're white...if you went to a BLM protest and asked Black people if they were proud to be Black, they would relish in it...but try asking white people at BLM protest if they're proud to be white and see the blank stare you would get...

[@maxsettings2906]

@@bconni2 I'm proud to be white

[@alika207]

@@bconni2 I don't hate myself for being white. I just wish my culture didn't marginalize others.

[@AdlakhaShiva]

Great

[@plederfagella9774]

Hehe first

[@GlobalOutcast]

Dislike

[@reenlight]

Propaganda.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Nope!

[@reenlight]

@@Ligase5076 I had hoped for critical thinking to be in the mix. Nope. Just indoctrination. Cheers.

[@feministthoughts729]

We need equality for everyone. Regardless of race, class, or gender.

[@reenlight]

@@feministthoughts729 We have equality. What you want is “equity”- cosmic justice. No?

[@feministthoughts729]

I'm sorry but we don't have equality. That's a simple fact. And of you don't like that, fine. The wage gap is real, systemic racism is real.

[@squirtnugget5717]

My college is requiring us to watch this video

[@SublimeStim]

thanks so much, it's great to get new words like Anti-Racist that bring power to us all!!!!!

[@ForumArcade]

The idea that it's not enough to not be racist is a little absurd to me. It's like the bystander law in the final episode of Seinfeld, where by witnessing a crime and not intervening they were prosecuted as though they were guilty of an equal offense. Some people stay out of it because they do not want the attention, and they fear that taking an active stance would mean exposing themselves to danger. But this "if you're not with us, you're against us" attitude means that they are essentially being forced to expose themselves to danger either way. I think there ought to be a place for bystanders. It's our right to protest, but it's also our right not to.

[@MysticKenji2]

It's not like that at all tho? The point is that just "not being racist" isn't enough. Racism is woven into the fabric of society and therefore has to be removed from it, which requires anti-racist work. If someone stops at not being racist, the underlying problem hasn't actually been solved.

[@McDave1312]

R2Walker but you are not adressing his points after saying they aren‘t really fitting

[@kodirawr]

@@MysticKenji2 I'm sorry but "removing racism" sounds like an unrealistic goal. I'd love to "remove homophobia" by being anti homophobic but seems like it's just ingrained into almost every human culture, along with racism. It's cute that people think they can just "fix" these problems by means of censorship and being condescending. Being "Anti-racist" for most young people just equates to being obnoxiously militant on Twitter and digging up any possible material that could be coined as "racist" for the sake of "cancelling" someone and getting woke points.

[@GlobalOutcast]

Dislike

[@flymypg]

I kept this video in my queue for a while, waiting for a calming of the overwhelming turmoil for me to give it the attention it deserves. I'm white, and was born in the mid-1950s into a poor working-class family trying hard for the American Dream. We lived in multi-cultural New Jersey neighborhoods, and attended schools where white was just the largest minority, not a majority. The mixing was truly multi-faceted, across race, ethnicity, culture and income. I remember in the late 1960s living in a neighborhood in Montclair, NJ, that was like a miniature United Nations. We were taught to respect other appearances, behaviors and cultures, which was particularly wonderful during Spring and "Wedding Season", where many wedding receptions helped birth my love for the entire planet's cuisine. This was during the racial conflict of the 1960's and the stresses of the Viet Nam War. These issues tore at us as a diverse student body watching our older siblings be affected by the Draft, but we somehow kept our fingers pointed at the outside world, and not at each other. Our bond as fellow students really helped, leading to fertile "teach-ins" and discussions. Respect is what we extend to others, and Pride is what we express about ourselves and our own ethnicity and culture. Ethnic jokes were a problem, especially for kids, since our differences were often fertile territory for humor, but it was so hard to know when a line was being crossed. I remember my Dad masterfully cutting this Gordian Knot: "Only tell ethnic jokes about your own ethnicity." So I knew more WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) jokes than anyone. When we heard a joke on an ethnicity not our own, we'd secretly share it with friends of that ethnicity, and let them make the decision about sharing it. In my young mind I thought that was how the entire world worked, until my Dad switched from being a car mechanic to an industrial salesman (his true calling) and started rocketing up the corporate ladder. Seemingly overnight we moved from Montclair to a wealthy suburb 30 minutes north of Detroit, Michigan. A white neighborhood/subdivision, where the non-white residents could be counted on a one hand. I remember the shock of starting the last months of my last year of junior high school in a new school and seeing hallways filled with pale people. No color, no accents, very little variety of clothing. A monoculture. Nobody understood, much less laughed at, my WASP jokes. That white concentration had many racist aspects baked-in to it. The entire "Not Us" mentality was a start, where just being so similar seemed to make you "best". Unity through commonality. All the ethnic jokes were about other groups, never about ourselves. The wealth of those students was taken as the norm, with poverty being "other people's problems", out of sight and out of mind, never discussed outside of Social Studies class. These students had never seen a protest other than on TV, much less marched in one, or even talked about the issues with people directly affected by them. I was white, and I didn't fit. I didn't want to fit. I became isolated and depressed. Things improved somewhat in high school, as I made a few like-minded white friends. Still, trying to have a Black or Hispanic friend would lead to not-so-subtle social ostracism. I wound up dropping out of high school, leaving Michigan, finishing up in night school, then joining the US Navy. I cannot describe how I felt during my first week of bootcamp. Yes, it was physically and psychologically difficult, but I was once again surrounded by every skin color, ethnicity and culture. Those 10 weeks contained much true joy for me. However, I had been away from that mix for 4 years, and there was some re-entry shock. The child from 4 years prior in Montclair had some rude awakenings as I learned what those same years had been like for others. At first I didn't understand, as if my time parked in the Michigan "White Zone" had isolated me from the greater world, eroding the easy cross-cultural interactions I remembered having as a child. I felt my "white privilege" for the first time, as a sharp contrast. Living in close quarters with dozens of other sailors-in-training made the differences more stark while simultaneously washing them away: We were unified by having the same job to accomplish, to the same standards, no matter our origins or history. But we weren't all at the same starting point, and my privileged education turned me into a tutor for those who received less education. The US Navy taught me how to personally deal with the effects of inequality, both within myself, and with the people around me. As it turned out, my toughest conversations were with other white people. After viewing this episode of Above The Noise, I can say bootcamp was when I became actively "anti-racist" (because of my white privilege). And, later, a feminist (because of my male privilege). And, a little later, a friend to the LGBTQ community (because of my cis-gender privilege). This did not come naturally to me, as some kind of a reversion to a prior child-like state. It took actively perceiving my wealthy straight white male privileges as unearned, a view that must remain until the associated differences are reduced and hopefully eliminated. Don't get me wrong: I don't live my days wracked with guilt. I love my life! But I don't live as if I built this life for myself, or even earned it all: Much of it was granted me simply because of how I looked, my gender, my unaccented English, and other characteristics my society and culture had, implicitly and explicitly, deemed valuable or relevant (such as being tall). Even when the privileges were extremely subtle, they do accumulate and can snowball, where even a tiny initial advantage can yield an enormous competitive gain over time. It's that awareness I try to keep front-and-center. While there are many changes we can and must make at the societal level, I believe the true change will come from the upcoming generations, meaning we must do our best to ensure each child receives every one of the advantages granted me. That means, from birth, children must be granted "full" privileges of environment and education. That is why, starting with children, I'm in favor of UBI (Universal Basic Income), universal broadband access, universal health care, and universal education standards that are taught by thoroughly qualified and well-paid teachers in good schools. Start with the children. Immediately. Then try to make the society they inherit a better one, so they'll not have to do all the work to fix it. To put it another way: Don't waste time trying to get all of today's adults moving in new and better directions. Find the ones who can, encourage them, and let the rest "age gracefully". I remember when the Navy sent me to Pascagoula, Mississippi in the late 1970s to serve on a destroyer being built in the shipyards there. I immediately fell in love with the Gulf Coast, and was surprised to see the racism being far less in evidence than Southern stereotypes had led me to expect. I saw no overt segregation. I had a girlfriend there whose very white grandmother, whom everyone called "Miz Betty", was having her 70th birthday, which is a big deal in that community, with an enormous party being held at a local park. The gathering was thoroughly integrated, and a joy to behold. But my girlfriend's grandmother referred to every Black man as "Boy". Every time, all the time, without exception. So far as I could tell, she was the only one there doing that. And I seemed to be the only one there made uncomfortable by it. I finally asked one Black man about it, and he grinned at me, saying: "Well, Miz Betty does not have a racist bone in her body, and truly loves us all, just as she loves the Lord. But she was raised with a different way of speaking that she's been unable to change, so we just give her a pass on that and love her anyway." We need to mix our desire for change with tolerance for and acceptance of those unable to change to the degree we'd like to see. We need only a strong core, ideally a majority, but not everyone, in order to make the change effective and real. However, none of it will matter if equality doesn't start with the children.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Wow, thank you for sharing your story! You express so many nuanced ideas about identity, race, generations, and society -- and how these things interplay. You seem to be a very compassionate, open-minded person who is willing to keep changing and respect others on their own journey. Kudos and thanks for watching our video and contributing to the conversation!

[@bconni2]

damn ...you've been woke before it was even a word....good for you...but i too come from a very racially and culturally diverse background ...i grew up in one of the most diverse Democrat run cities in the nation.. but what i've learned on the streets is assholes come in all shapes, colors and sizes ( no pun intended )..you're either cool or you ain't...doesn't matter what race you are

[@scar3881]

i didn't read that

[@mallow5828]

@@scar3881 We didn't ask.

[@hallucinatedovens8414]

What a bunch of made up virtue signaling, and you dum basses ∆∆∆ fell for it lmao

[@dumbkoala2907]

Im a koala and koalas aren’t racist because koalas dont give a shit and are too lazy

[@nickhidalgo796]

It means being racist to racist which makes them racist

[@E_Ten]

6:48 Disperate impacts are not evidence of racism.

[@mayakonig7147]

Really appreciate this video! I only wonder (and this is a point of uncertainty that comes up for me often) why people of all stripes have a tendency to take complements and label them insults...I see where you might be thinking, “would this friend have paid a friend of a different ethnicity or race the same complement or is he/she offering it to me as a comparative judgement to what he/she would otherwise expect from people of my ethnicity/race, etc?” I’m watching this video and thinking, “but he is well spoken and he does sound educated/cultured, at least on this issue.” Relative to who? Relative to other bloggers and vloggers and...my random internalized 20 person amorphous example set? It’s just the assumption of bad will or racism in the complement or comments that concerns me. Maybe that friend did show a general trend toward racial prejudice, or maybe he/she just subjectively saw you in both complementary lights. Language is not perfect, we’re not always completely eloquent or accurate communicators even of our own emotions, values, or thoughts, and god knows we’re not always all perfect actors of social grace. Sometimes I think all humans could be a little softer with each other around murky edge comments like this and just continue to compassionately observe the more general pattern of comments or behaviors from said individual before making definitive assumptions?

[@NoBodyToDanceWithMe]

as above the noise replied in a different comment, it really depends on the context. its the same thing as if someone were to tell a woman "wow you can throw a strong punch" but you can clearly hear that they wanted to tack on "for a girl" at the end. it's circumstantial and is what makes it so hard to show that any of this is real, especially when you start bringing in concepts of intersectionality

[@richarddeemee5575]

www.reddit.com/r/antiracistaction/comments/umtemd/exposing_racist_extremists/?context=3

[@mikewilliams6025]

Aging like milk

[@yesmetv3195]

No we haven't 🤗

[@MrDan11422]

One thing to put into count is what the view point of how people seen each other in the past doesn't mean it applies today's definition. I believe that any group of people that is look at in a negative light, having surperme outlook on your own color. Just using the term racism and referring it to white is the exact same thing. No body ever mentioned this topic as everyone assumes that everyone knows my definition matches your definition.