How does this question make you feel?

[lazarus]

What does it mean to be white?

[Gerr]

Are you directing the question only to white people?

[lazarus]

Nope.

[Gerr]

Nope.

As a brown person, the question does not make me feel anything.  The question just means a white person has less than what I have - melanin, that is!  He can't help it, and I can't help it.  What's interesting to me is how that dark people want to be lighter, and white people want to be darker. I must have the ideal color, how about that!  :)

 

Not to divert the thread but as an aside, will people revert to the color of Adam in the restoration?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

"How does it make me feel to be asked, 'What does it mean to be white?'?"

 

to be honest, it would make me feel annoyed...because the question would inevitably involve comparing/contrasting myself to others on the basis of my skin color, instead of simply being a daughter, niece, cousin or friend.

 

But to answer the secondary question of "what does it mean to be white?", my answer(s) would be situational.  For example:

 

1) not having to deal with accusations of criminal behavior or intent.

2) not having to watch people cross the street when they see me coming.

 

(not sure if I'm properly addressing the OP)

[phkrause]

What does it mean to be white?

Not sure how to answer that question lazarus. I was born the color I am, that's all I know. And being born Jewish, well that's just life, we can't change who we are, how we're born, color of our skin, culture, etc. I guess that doesn't really answer the question. All I can say, I just have to live with it!!

[Tom Wetmore]

How does it make me feel?  Puzzled.  A bit perplexed.  Awkward. Uncertain how to answer.  Curious to know the motive behind the question before I answer.  

[JoeMo]

What does it mean to be white?  It depends where you are in the world (or even the country).  In some places, it is an advantage.  In some places, it's a disadvantage.  In some places, it is meaningless.  Racism and discrimination work two ways and it is a global issue - not just a U.S. issue.

 

I don't even know haw someone who is not white could honestly answer this question.  I have no idea what it would be like to be black, except what I see and hear from African Americans. Hearing their stories, and seeing how they are treated is totally different than being black and experienceing life from their perpective every day.

[CoAspen]

Haven't given it much thought! If I analyze it, several things pop into mind......depending on the country one lives in.

[lazarus]

Some responses to the question taken from the work of Dr Derald Wing Sue:

 

42-year-old White businessman:

A: Frankly, I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Q: Aren’t you White?

A: Yes, but I’m from Italian heritage. I’m Italian, not White.

Q: Well, then, what does it mean to be Italian?

A: Pasta, good food, love of wine (obviously agitated). This is getting ridiculous!

26-year-old White female college student:

A: Is this a trick question?…I’ve never thought about it…Well, I know that lots of Black people see us as being prejudiced and all that stuff. I wish people would just forget about race differences and see one another as human beings. People are people and we should all be proud to be Americans.

 

65-year-old retired White male construction worker:

A: That is a stupid question!

Q: Why?

A: Look…what are you, Oriental? (the reason I pointed out this out earlier ) You people are always blaming us for stereotyping and here you are doing the same to us.

Q: When you say “us” whom are you referring to?

A: I’m referring to Americans who aren’t colored. We are all different from one another. I’m Irish but there are Germans, Italians, and those Jews. I get angry at the colored people for always blaming us…when my grandparents came over to this country, they worked 24 hours a day to provide a good living for their kids. My wife and I raised 5 kids and I worked every day of my life to provide for them.

No one gave me nothing! I get angry at the Black people for always whining…they just have to get off their butts and work rather than going on welfare. At least you people [referring to Asian Americans] work hard. The Black ones could learn from your people.

 

34-year-old White female stockbroker

A: I don't know (laughing) I never thought about it.

Q: Are you White?

A: I suppose so (seems very amused).

Q: Why haven't you thought about it?

A: Because it's not important to me.

Q: Why not?

A: It doesn't enter into my mind because it doesn't affect my life. Besides, we are all individuals; color isn't important.

[Sojourner]

 

What does it mean to be white?

It doesnt mean anything. I consider myself Australian if I have to wear a label. My ancestors are English, Scottish, French, Romanian and Dutch. Most people in the US have similar lines of Ancestry if they go back far enough. One of my best friends growing up was a lad who was a New Zealand Maori and I never made any connection to skin colour and the whole racism thing as a child and had no clue what it was, nor saw him as any different to anyone else. I suspect Gen X perhaps views this issue somewhat differently to the boomers in the form of simply could not care less.

Whilst I dont have any real facts to back it up, I am pretty sure that Jesus Christ was not white and was likely dark skinned. Makes no difference to me at all.

Besides which, everyone knows that Green Skin is the best!

[JoeMo]

"everyone knows that Green Skin is the best! :)"
I don't care what color of skin I have - I can change it whenever I want to.

[Sojourner]

"everyone knows that Green Skin is the best! :)"

I don't care what color of skin I have - I can change it whenever I want to.

 

Just don't make me angry Joe, you wouldn't like me when i'm angry!  

[JoeMo]

Just don't make me angry Joe, you wouldn't like me when i'm angry!

If your avatar is a picture of you in a good mood, I'll bet you're really intimidating when you're angry. 

[Lineman]

Gerry asked an interesting question in post #5 when he asked if all of us will be one color in Heaven.  I suppose this question should be in a new topic, but here goes.

 

I have had that same question, and have come up with what I believe is a correct answer.  Because the Creator has created flowers of all colors why would He want people of only one color?

[Aliensanctuary]

Being white, I suppose no one will ever call me the N-word. Not that that would bother me too, much, being insulted by ignorant people. I'd kind of like to have the Asian look, medium dark skin with jet-black hair.

[phkrause]

I'm in agreement Lineman, I believe we will be the color we are.

[Gerr]

What does it mean to be white?

Are you waiting for this answer?  Privilege, power?

[Tom Wetmore]

No Gerry, I think the point is not that question but the question of the topic title.

[LifeHiscost]

What does it mean to be white?

I thought this fit in well with this thread.

 

http://jezebel.com/i-dont-know-what-to-do-with-good-white-people-1671201391

 

God is Love! Jesus saves! 

[joeb]

I find that to be a racist question.  It is a question that assumes color of skin is the determining factor in how I see myself and others.

[lazarus]

Not waiting for an answer. Just wanted to see the reaction to the question. A number reacted that they felt irritated, angry and even that the question was irrelevant. I was going to point out that in general black people don't have the same kind of reaction and can give quite direct and simple although maybe uncomfortable answers. Most white folks don't think about what it means to be white. I was really interested in the feelings that the question evokes.

[lazarus]

I find that to be a racist question.  It is a question that assumes color of skin is the determining factor in how I see myself and others.

Is it racist to ask what does it mean to be American? Is nationality the determining factor is how I see myself and others?

[JoeMo]

In the end, basing our self-worth or another's worth on the color of their skin, their ethnicity, religion, citizenship, wealth, sexual orientation, or a myriad of other factors in a deception.  As believers, isn't the true basis of our worth how it feels to be part of the family of God?  I don't mean to wax religious in a non-religious forum; and I'm not always successful at gauging the worth of myself or others in that basis - it's an ideal.

[lazarus]

In the end, basing our self-worth or another's worth on the color of their skin, their ethnicity, religion, citizenship, wealth, sexual orientation, or a myriad of other factors in a deception.  As believers, isn't the true basis of our worth how it feels to be part of the family of God?  I don't mean to wax religious in a non-religious forum; and I'm not always successful at gauging the worth of myself or others in that basis - it's an ideal.

I agree with you but the reality is that even for SDA Christian's, ethnicity, wealth, and nationality carry more weight than kinship with Jesus Christ. I've seen that reality in every church i've been a member of and every church I've Pastored. We must stand against it as we stand against any other sin. I've seen white flight change the complexion of a church in a generation.