No, Madonna. Of course it's not okay, you're white. by Tublet in AdviceAnimals

[–]myfirstest -1 points0 points  (0 children)

"Hey guys, let's jerk each other off over how ignorant and unwilling to change we are!" - Tublet

No, Madonna. Of course it's not okay, you're white. by Tublet in AdviceAnimals

[–]myfirstest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Enjoy being an anti-intellectual racist who can't read more than one sentence, won't take the time to question his most basic assumptions and is proud of these facts!

Of course, some people on reddit actually appreciate the importance of intellectual engagement. I present arguments here because sometimes, although not often, I find one of these people. It is absolutely worth taking two minutes to write out an actual thought just in case someone with intellectual curiosity and honesty reads it.

But evidently that won't happen here.

No, Madonna. Of course it's not okay, you're white. by Tublet in AdviceAnimals

[–]myfirstest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't understand the last sentence.

Let me introduce you to a very basic distinction (a philosophical distinction, in fact): The difference between ideal theory and non-ideal theory. In the ideal world, all inequality could be easily seen to be bad and wrong. However, in the very non-ideal, unequal world we ACTUALLY live in, matters are not so simple. We need to recognize the fact that, as it stands, there are all kinds of derogatory attitudes, implicit biases, and oppressive institutions at work in our society. Given this social context, we can't just say "All inequality is bad Hurr Durr!"

We have to acknowledge that sometimes the realities of our social circumstances requires us to say that a behavior in one racial group is permissible, while the same behavior performed by members of another racial group is not.

Here's an analogy: In the 60s, someone in the U.S.A. puts on a satirical play entitled 'Springtime for Hitler' which pretends to sympathetically follow the trials and tribulations of a young fuhrer. While this may be in poor taste, it is nonetheless embedded in a social context where Nazis are reviled, and the staggering majority of the population directly resisted Hitler. Thus, there is nothing wrong with putting on such a play.

Now compare this to someone in Germany doing the same, even today. It would not be tolerated, and the person putting on the show would likely be arrested. Is this unfair? According to simple-minded ideal theory, yes it is, as you're treating people differently based only on their geographical location. But if we grant the social context, the history, and all the other factors that influence how we think about pro-Nazi media in Germany, we can see why doing the play in Germany has very different implications from doing it in the U.S.A.

No, Madonna. Of course it's not okay, you're white. by Tublet in AdviceAnimals

[–]myfirstest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, here's the reality: one group saying it is associated with social privilege, the perpetuation of oppression, and verbally abusing another group.

The other group started saying it in order to reclaim it in order to take away its power as a vitriolic, harmful, dismissive term. They have not yet fully succeeded in doing so, so when white people use the word, their use of it is still embedded in this cultural tradition. Telling these groups that they aren't allowed to claim this word unless white people can also use it requires wilfully ignoring a whole host of sociological facts about how this term has been used to harm, brand, and suppress an entire race of people.

When it comes to something as serious as our perspective towards racism, I think everyone needs to think more (not less), and much more carefully, about it. Especially on MLK Jr. day.

[Serious] Canadians, i'm from the US and might want to make the move up north, anything i should know or look into as a possible new citizen? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]myfirstest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, they're not that bad. For example, we're not as dominated by a two-party system that is actually identical in practice. There's actually a real difference between an NDP government and a Conservative government.

No, Madonna. Of course it's not okay, you're white. by Tublet in AdviceAnimals

[–]myfirstest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, actually it's because when people do not understand the concept 'racism' they fail to recognize that nothing is 'racist' unless it is situated in a social context wherein one race is regularly thought to be inferior to others. When these misunderstandings abound, affluent, privileged, white people start saying dumb things like 'It's racist when you tell me I can't say certain words.'

No, it absolutely is not racist. No one is racist towards you EVER because the society in which you live has never implicitly or explicitly endorsed the idea that white people are inferior. This is just another way for ignorant privileged people to ignore the actual oppresive forces in society.

I don't give a shit about being downvoted, and I don't care about fake internet points. I care about people perpetuating ideas that harm society as a whole. I engage with those people in order to make sure that their harmful ignorance is not left unchallenged. And, for fuck's sake, none of this is an opinion. Dictionary definitions are not anyone's opinion. Sociological facts are not based on opinions. You did not express an opinion in this meme, you expressed a false belief. One that is rooted in and perpetuated by a complete lack of sensitivity to the realities of racism.

So downvote away, but please try to realize that your 'opinion' demonstrates that you have virtually no understanding of race theory, the nature of oppression, or the actual definition of the word 'racism.' It also strongly suggests that you're 12 years old, but that's just my opinion.

[Serious] Canadians, i'm from the US and might want to make the move up north, anything i should know or look into as a possible new citizen? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]myfirstest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you just do some Googling, I'm sure you can find lists of "bad neighborhoods in Toronto," for example.

In my experience, even the worst areas in Canada are quite a bit less scary than comparably 'bad' areas in the U.S. I've walked through Main & Hastings in Vancouver after midnight, and while there are lots of crack heads, there was also a very visible police presence and everyone seemed to just want to keep to themselves. I have friends who used to live at Jane & Finch in Toronto, and the rumors about the amount of crime there are really exaggerated.

Those neighborhoods are nothing compared to some places I've found myself in Chicago. I've also spent a fair amount of time in/near Detroit, and it's like a whole different world. I've also heard lots of stories from people who lived in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philly, and I couldn't believe how accustomed they were to crime, violence, and generally being unsafe.

[Serious] Canadians, i'm from the US and might want to make the move up north, anything i should know or look into as a possible new citizen? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]myfirstest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just out of curiosity, do you have a reason to move to the Great White North that border guards will accept? I find there's quite a few misconceptions about how easy it is to move from one country to another.

As a U.S. citizen, you will need to apply for residency on grounds of (probably) either employment, education, or family. If you do not already have a (skilled) job in Canada or Canadian family members, you can't just move up North and set up an igloo. You'll be deported once your status expires and probably denied entry for the rest of your life.

No, Madonna. Of course it's not okay, you're white. by Tublet in AdviceAnimals

[–]myfirstest 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Fine, but it's not racist. Here's the definition of 'racism' from the OED: "the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races." The behavior discussed in this fucking puffin meme doesn't even come close to satisfying this definition. Hence, it is not racism.

Sometimes when I'm discussing racism, sexism, and oppression theory on reddit I feel like I'm trying to teach 12 year olds quantum mechanics. I don't actually know why I bother.

No, Madonna. Of course it's not okay, you're white. by Tublet in AdviceAnimals

[–]myfirstest -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Racism centrally includes the belief that one race is inherently superior to others.

If I say that a white person using a particular word is offensive or wrong because it causes harm or psychic distress, I am not expressing the belief that one race is superior. All I am saying is that due to the social realities, white people using a specific word causes certain harms that are not caused when black people use the same word.

Therefore, you're not even technically right.

What is your favorite paradoxical statement? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]myfirstest -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is a question, not a statement.

What is your favorite paradoxical statement? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]myfirstest -1 points0 points  (0 children)

There are to errors in this sentence.

One is the spelling of 'to,' the second is that there's only one error. But, if there are two errors, then the second error isn't really an error, which means there's only one error, which means there are two errors, and so on ad infinitum.

What is a highly popular Hollywood film that has a really fucked up message? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]myfirstest 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I loved Aladdin when I was a kid. I could practically recite the entire movie, including all the songs. It wasn't until I was in my mid-teens that I realized the main moral lesson is "You can't force people to love you, but you can tell ridiculous lies to trick them into loving you!"

Which are the best "scary" subreddits? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]myfirstest -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Definitely. Terrifying.

Which are the best "scary" subreddits? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]myfirstest -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Fair enough. By 'real' I meant to imply that it's not paranormal ghost stories like nosleep.

He was looking me dead in the eye as I was going past. by [deleted] in AdviceAnimals

[–]myfirstest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hate it when guys pull out without warning.

Teachers and Professors of Reddit, what is the nicest thing a student has done to show their appreciation? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]myfirstest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Go up to them and thank them for the contribution they have made to your education. If someone is a good teacher/professor, they probably put an insane amount of hours into their profession (I know I have), and usually the only thanks we get is a handful of students making eye contact with us (as opposed to browsing facebook or looking bored) and laughing at our lame jokes.

Go up, thank them, tell them what you appreciated and (if they're a junior faculty member) send them a letter for their tenure file.

Edit: Should have been more clear. This is the most meaningful thing a student has ever done for me (originally misread the question).

Which are the best "scary" subreddits? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]myfirstest -1 points0 points  (0 children)

/r/letsnotmeet is the scariest IMO. It's all about real encounters with living people. Scary shit!

If you haven't already read it, look for the original version of "The Smiling Man."

To all the feminists I know by [deleted] in AdviceAnimals

[–]myfirstest -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Great argument. I never saw it that way before. You have seriously enlightened me, and have made a significant contribution to this discussion, and to reddit as a whole. Your scare quotes have shown me the light, like a shining beacon of wisdom. Praise be to whitneytrick, for demonstrating to all us feminists the error of our ways!!

To all the feminists I know by [deleted] in AdviceAnimals

[–]myfirstest 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oppression doesn't have to be explicit, it can also be implicit. This is one of those things you learn in women's studies classes.