Guilt by Class and Association

We are currently in a global phenomenon of guilt by class. This is manifesting itself in many forms, but most prominent is the ideology stating that all white people are racist.

This way of thinking is common among white people as well, which can be seen through a statement such as: “For the record, I’m white…. It comes down to this: in western society we are all taught (explicitly or implicitly) that lighter is better” [i](Craig, 2017).

In my opinion, this kind of statement is harmful and can only fuel increased racial tensions between people of different races. This is because it insinuates that one of the main building blocks of Western society is the ethnic supremacy of its white inhabitants over all other groups of contrasting ethnicities. Therefore, the more mainstream that this type of view becomes, it will lead to a demonising view of white people from those of different ethnicities. Examples of this are already apparent, with the president of an equality group at Cambridge University Tweeting that “all white people are racist” [ii](Roberts, 2017). 

Forgetting the ironic nature of the statement considering the individual's position as the president of an equality group, it is evident that this kind of viewpoint has harmful effects on how people view those of different skin colour.

By attributing a culture of ethnic supremacy to all white people and to insinuate that western culture educates all its inhabitants that people of lighter skin are better than those of darker skin is fundamentally incorrect, and is by definition an example of racial discrimination. Racial discrimination being defined as “discrimination, unfair treatment or bias against someone or a group of people on the basis of their race” [iii](Racial Discrimination, 2017)

While it is unequivocally true that racism is a major problem in our world today and that there is much progress needed if we are ever to see full racial equality, it is however not only wrong, but also counterproductive to label an entire race as racist.


[i] Craig, K. (2017). My fellow white people: if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. The Guardian. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/06/white-people-solution-problem-munroe-bergdorf-racist [Accessed 9 Dec. 2017].
[ii] Roberts, R. (2017). Cambridge student claims 'all white people are racist' in tweets supporting Rashan Charles protests. Independent. [online] Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cambridge-university-police-racist-tweet-protests-dalston-rashan-charles-jason-osamade-okundaye-a7868051.html [Accessed 9 Dec. 2017].
[iii] Racial Discrimination. (2017). In: Collins Dictionary. [online] Collins. Available at: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/racial-discrimination [Accessed 9 Dec. 2017].

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