much discussion on twitter tonight about race.

[redruddyred]

I wonder what is the white progressive's role regarding modern racism. is it enough to call bullshit? to stand up to our racist relatives? to show our solidarity at rallies? what is our moral responsibility?

too much white v black rhetoric for this self-hating caucausian tho. it's like listening to a foreigner tell me that I'm personally responsible for american foreign policy. I wish I were, because maybe then I could do something about it!

[True Blue Door]

1. Take an assertive but accepting position.

"I am responsible for my country, exactly to the extent I can change it and no further. If you demand any more than that, you are just trying to deflect responsibility from your own countries."

Seriously, Der Spiegel et al spend more time on the "degenerate American culture" than they do on German, French, etc. politics. It's not healthy on their part.

[nomorenomore08]

2. To be fair, the U.K. tabloids love them some anti-American "dirt" as well.

Otherwise I totally agree with your post.

[True Blue Door]

4. Yup. It's actually a little flattering.

They implicitly designate America as The Show where their own values are put to the test. And they're not wrong. But they are missing some crucial priorities, since tons of people still live in Europe.

[nomorenomore08]

3. "Calling bullshit" is certainly a good step. I've done a fair amount of that, albeit mostly online.

I do have a few Republican family members, though thankfully none are flagrantly racist. My one Repub friend from high school, I cut off several years ago due to anti-immigrant fearmongering on his part (several of my close friends are the children or grandchildren of Mexican immigrants, so that shit doesn't fly with me).