Bias toward whites as more likely racist?

that may be worthy of examination, but I can understand after watching the videos in the first module WHY that would be the case - how could there not be irreparable mistrust of whites

my understanding is that it hasn't been stated that non-white people are never racist, but the definition of oppression in whatever form is discrimination + power ,and white folks have power in our society.

It is true that lots of folks on both sides will react with this idea of reverse racism, but it doesn't actually exist because the factor of power is not part of the equation. I would love a way to express this more easily, more fluidly, so would appreciate any other wording around this.

A meme I've seen floating around says something along the lines of "white privilege does not mean that you have never struggled, but that your struggle has not been because of the color of your skin" which I think is a helpful framing, as well.

What great answers-- thank you. I recall attending a gay writers' conference back in the 80's and the same questions and concerns around language were being raised-- how our everyday way of speaking also includes bias and blurriness. Since that conference, we actually have developed new ways of speaking about sexual orientation and gender expression.

This is a bit off topic (sorry Lincoln, but I did like the above responses). But Ashley asked a good prompt in the Bias video I wanted to wrestle with here. She says, 'Ask yourself what is your response to seeing BIOC victimized, how do you justify the violence?' And my initial thought was that I try to look at it from every angle. I almost always side with the victim, but I do go through the thought exercise of what is law enforcement thinking, what have they experienced in their lives to that point that could make them feel more threatened than a 15 second clip might show, if I was in their position trying to address that situation how would I behave? And there are lots of spin off thoughts from that. But I guess the biggest conclusion I've come to through this is: Why are we putting law enforcement in many of these positions to begin with? I think cops are in the wrong when they use deadly force just about every time, if not every time. However, I also feel that we as a society are often putting them in unfair situations on a consistent basis that over time some will make bad choices. So how can we as a society really address what is needed from law enforcement and reduce the number of situations like this come up.

I think Ashley is exactly right it all comes back to bias. Someone walking down a street at night or in the 'wrong neighborhood' is only policed because the bias we have as a society is asking it to be policed. If we could let go of some of our biased on what needs to be policed we could stop putting law enforcement in as many difficult situations. And I think we could provide them better training for the few specific situations they need to deal with.

To that end though this is an issue I struggle with. I understand the frustration of law enforcement having outsiders with no law enforcement experience telling them how to do their job. But can they remove themselves and be unbias if we gave them the wrong job to begin with? OK, I'm rambling at this point. But I think reinvention is needed in many places, law enforcement being one - but how do we best do it?

Daryl - One of the chants used at rallies I have attended is “No good cops in a racist system.” It came to my head while reading your post.