Comment by charliesharding | Hacker News Reader

Comment by charliesharding | Hacker News Reader

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charliesharding

> Dictionaries are descriptive of majority usage, Charles. So to put it bluntly, that's the average white person's definition of racism.

I didn't realize you were qualified to assess every non-white person's definition of racism. Do you not see how you're over-reaching in terms of speaking for other people?

> If you disagree with it, you should explain what books on racism you've read and which one you're getting your definition from

I understand that the consequences of racism have been messy, but the definition is not. The definition is simple and plain and I gave you my source but I'll repeat it: "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race".

I'm curious why you believe that white people can't experience racism, William. From the definition it would imply that you think no other race could claim "inherent superior[ity]". I see why you would reject this definition that the majority of society has agreed on because it would make you a dictionary racist.

If you can't tell the difference between a generalization and a universal claim, that could be your problem right there.

Also, a dictionary is not a book on racism. It's a book collating common usage of words. I suspect you don't name a book by actual experts because you've never read one. Maybe you should try that before trying to discuss the topic further.

That would also explain why you're doing the a classic white-fragility routine here, arguing over trivia and playing word games rather than actually grappling with the ongoing harm.

I envy you: it must be nice to participate in a debate and get to be the one who makes the rules up as you go.

This isn't a "debate". There's no stage, no hosting organization, no moderator, no judges, no rules. This is, at best, a conversation. At best.

I definitely decide how I'm going to spend my time. My goal in having these conversations is to end patriarchy and white supremacy.

Most of the people supporting those things, wittingly or otherwise, will carry their views to their graves. And a good fraction of those people will argue just as long. This is pretty obvious from history. Look at the number of people still today, 150 years later, who are eager to lionize America's pro-slavery traitors, for example.

My aim is not to convince the diehards, because they are not open to learning anything. I'm going to reach the people I can reach, and leave a reasonable record for the members of the audience who are, like I was, willing to change their minds. But I owe exactly zero to randos who are eager to defend race- and gender-based oppression. Which includes the regrettably large number of people who get mad that people are just discussing those problems.

If you think something is owed to them, you go right ahead and have whatever "debate" you think is their due.

> …will carry their views to their graves

Ever consider then that you might be wrong?

No, of course not.

Of course I did. That's why there's a "most" in there. Which you then ignored, because you yourself are very eager to be "right" here.

Well, nobody writes posts because they're eager to be "wrong", do they?

What active measures are you taking, besides changing hearts and minds on HN, to dismantle the patriarchy and white supremacy? What are you personally doing, say, to promote the work of developers and entrepreneurs that are female and non-white?

Oh, we're comparing resumes? I'll tell you what: you go first.

And as to the first bit, some people are eager to be right, while some are eager to look right. My point is that he's in the latter group, and so is avoiding the substance of the discussion to snipe on minor points.

I was kindly giving you the benefit of the doubt that your activism extends beyond internet flamewars, and presumably the occasional Democratic vote. I mean, if I'd boasted allegiance to a jihad against a Great Satan, I think I'd jump at any chance to boast about my accomplishments.

If that's you, you go ahead and boast. I'm all ears.

You’ve answered my question quite clearly. Thanks.

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