Comments

1
Asking white people to go off and solve local and global injustice is quite the burden.
2
Yawn, white rapper trying to cure his white guilt over stealing rap music from blacks. Nothing to see here.
4
Can black people talk till they're blue in the face? I thought only us white folk could pull that off. Another example of our "privilege", I guess.
5
I don't see anything good coming out of this thread. You either recognize your white privilege already, or you're deaf to the concept, and Macklemore is not about to persuade you.

I guess if you're 17 and you never thought about it before, it could help.
6
I believe in white privilege. I also think it's weird that Macklemore is considered culturally important, but that's how this country rolls, I guess.
7
will somebody on the stranger staff explain why this post by nikkita oliver is open to comments, but the one above it written by sean nelson is not ?
8
@7, thanks Riz. I was just thinking the very same thing! Furthermore, Nicklebacklemore will reach the youth and I for one think that the discussion is necessary albeit his delivery method still does nothing for me - he sounds like an early 90's poetry slam...bleech.
9
@snacktruck let me guess, you're older than 40. looks like you might have been in an 80s hair band.
12
I believe in white privilege. I also believe that people can only listen to that song once and then never again.
13
I believe in White privilege. And the "song" was interesting, once. or maybe a few times. it's more like slam poetry.

And yes, release Mos Def, please.
14
You know, I know that white privilege is a huge issue and that racism is a huge issue and I'm also wondering if white allies are ever going to be allowed to be anything than coming up short. It's like, if you're a white ally, you have to hate yourself and hate white people and constantly question everything you do and think because you're white. Please don't get me wrong, we have soooooooooo much work to do, so much more than most people are willing to do, because, yes, they (we) are privileged. But can we please acknowledge the fact that some people are working toward change without them having to say, "and I hate myself because I'm a piece of white shit."?
15
I've never gotten the feeling, from anyone, that my efforts were not worthwhile, or that I had to hate myself because I am White. I'm inclined to listen because you seem inclined to listen, but where is this coming from, honey? Can you explain further?
16
Sure. It really seems that any effort towards acknowledging, protesting, or acting civicly against racism by a white person is pointed out as being misinformed or not enough and this seems to happen, like, quick; an immediate commentary about how it's wrong somehow. And I have to tell you that addressing racism is important to me and I want to see change very badly. But I'm constantly seeing stuff about "hey, white teacher, teaching about the black panther movement isn't enough," and "hey, white politician, marching during the civil rights movement isn't enough," and "hey, white artist, calling yourself out as privileged isn't enough," and the thing is it's not enough but it's SOMETHING where it would be a lot easier just to give in to majority culture especially when you're one of the majority. If change is going to happen we have to encourage people to work toward change, not criticise them every time they make an attempt. And if I'm frustrated about this then you can bet that the many other white people who don't find addressing white privilege as important as I do are being alienated.

I guess what I would want is to stop hearing about what's not enough and start hearing about what would be. And I know. It shouldn't be the burden of the marginalized person to educate the majority and yet it doesn't feel like we're getting anywhere right now and maybe a little collaboration instead of castigation might actually get us somewhere.
17
Oh, and please don't call me honey. I hate that shot.
18
Sincerely sorry. I'm an older, very motherly kind of lady. And I am guardian of my two, sweet teenage nieces, so I say that all day long, usually to encourage them to talk about their feelings. It was meant to convey, "sympathetic and listening." That's all it is, I swear. I am really sorry though, because I know it can sound condescending if directed at grown-ups.

I too am very frustrated with racism and what I can do about it. Thanks for your input.
19
The song asks, "I think one of the critical questions for white people in this society is, ‘What are you willing to risk? What are you willing to sacrifice to create a more just society?"

I don't know. Some, not everything. What do you need?
20
When you say "dismantling capitalism" exactly what kind of economic system do you think would replace it and how would you go about implementing that system?

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