After our last discussion of white culture and white supremacy culture, I found that there is much to unfold here. For example, as we brought up in class, many of the primary pieces that are available on the Bucknell Anti-racism page never define the terms “culture” or “white supremacy” and what that means in the context in which they are speaking. Nor do these writers attempt to define these terms or provide any evidence for their argument. They provided many characteristics of all cultures and of defining entities of culture itself, such as deciding what is normal, deciding what is proper behavior and what is not. As this was discussed in class, it became clear to me that the idea of preconceived notions plays a role here. Some gathered that it would be beneficial to switch out certain words to fit the narrative in which they thought the author was attempting to portray. Yet switching the words would not change the general argument that the writer was making. Instead of “white culture” change the phraseology to “white American culture” or “white American society”. I think this could run us down a slippery slope in marginalizing a group of people that simply exist in society. Those who claim that white Americans marginalize and discriminate against minority groups are doing that very thing to whites. This in itself is racist against white people. Allow me to define the term racism here for reference. According to Merriam Webster dictionary, the term racism is defined as “a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race”. The same criticism of white Americans could be turned onto any other racial group who believes that ALL white Americans are responsible for the marginalization and discrimination of a particular race. As we stated in class, it is extremely complex and obviously there are exceptions but generalizations are what lead us to the era of wokeist agendas being propagated.
Another important point I found interesting is that it is mostly white people bringing up this idea of white privilege and supremacy. I found this especially virtuous and almost martyrdom like in the podcast “Betray White Fathers” where they give actions that need to be taken of white people ASAP. They write “If things get confrontational with the police, you are there to de-arrest people and put your body between Black people and the police.” Why is it a white person’s responsibility to put his or herself in harm’s way to protect black people that may very well be committing a crime? Almost as though it’s a martyrdom for their “faith” or as reparations for those black people.
To finish this blog post I’d like to say what I took away from this course. After taking this class, it is clear that the quasi-religion aspect of the wokeist agenda is the basis for why much of this rhetoric is spread so successfully. These ideas are highly geared toward young impressionable students who are looking for something to believe in and act for. As a young student, one of the most important things I took away was to ask questions about things and to not be afraid to ask questions. Do not simply allow others to tell you what the truth is but go out and seek it for yourself.
2 replies on “Blog 12”
I also felt the same about “Betray White Fathers.” Their argument treats all situations, where black people were being confronted by the police, as if “injustice” is happening. This is exactly an act based on “faith” or quasi-religion ideas. For some situations, it might be true that certain black people were being treated improperly by the police; for other situations, actual crime could be happening. Moreover, even if white people “should” do some things about police encounter or if some white people want to help black people, “put your body between Black people and the police” probably will only escalate the situation even more and bring more potential harm. There are so many more smarter and better ways to actually help black people, if they are truly trying. So we see again that wokeism acting based on the faith system. I feel that the speakers in the podcast probably also gave their recommendations just to make themselves feel better.
I agree I think that it is unreasonable to post arguments on the anti-racism page without defining the terms being used in them. Furthermore, I think many colleges expect students to accept the woke agenda as it is and not engage with it in a critical manner. I am glad that this course has taught me to look for scientific and factual evidence when being presented arguments. This made me think of Gad Saad’s presentation of the “parasitic mind.” In order to pursue the truth, we must have evidence in its support. Overall, I throughout the wokeist arguments we analyzed in class a common theme among them was that they lacked empirical evidence; therefore, their arguments were falsifiable.