Sometimes there isn’t someone currently living to blame for the problem. But we can’t let that fact keep us from acknowledging there is a problem.
And whether it is “helpful to blame” a problem on the system may depend on whether you are looking at the problem from the benefit to the individual or the benefit to a population.
Sure, in any given case, an individual will get further if they don’t blame their circumstances. We can agree on that. But the black population has a steeper hill to climb due to systemic racism, and statistically across the population the group suffers from that. To benefit the group, you have to understand and acknowledge the problem.
Again, for our countries 200+ year history shared by whites and blacks alike, white folks used their power for the vast majority of those years to exclude the black population from power and economic privileges which set up a system that continues to bestow privilege to white people.
There need not be guilt or blame on any person living today in recognizing this situation UNLESS you are not interested in helping address the problem.
Not for me. I think this is THE big issue for many folks that are super sensitive about this topic. They feel like they are being blamed for the disadvantages of minorities that they can't dismiss. Or, they're worried that the solution is going to be something that mimics the great society (I fear that too).
I think the best thing that could come from a discussion on systemic racism is the empathy of those who are in positions of power (those people are by and large, caucasian).
Time is your friend. Impulse is your enemy. -John Bogle
i was talking about empathy from people in power.
at any rate, if systemic racism amounts to people having a harder time in the workplace because of "white culture" then what an utter waste of time. maybe i'll start another thread to talk about actual injustices that disproportionately impact people of color.
Practice and exercise.
By the way, I tend to believe what separates well-meaning liberals and well-meaning conservatives is that the well-meaning folks on the right tend to put principle over people (perhaps with the paternalistic view that adherence to principle will serve the people) whereas well-meaning folks on the left tend to focus on people over principle. Truth vs understanding. Judgment vs empathy.
That would be sympathy not empathy.
Maybe you should try this to gain empathy...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Like_Me