What's the matter with white people?

[SpartanDem]

What's the matter with white people?
Too many believe -- incorrectly -- that healthcare reform helps "other people," not themselves
By Joan Walsh

Frank Rich's column "The Rage Is Not About Health Care" got a lot of attention this weekend. It ran through the examples of Republican overreaction and right-wing rage in response to the passage of healthcare reform – all of it well-covered in Salon -- and concluded the rage mainly stems from the fact that whites are about to become the minority in this country.

Rich isn't wrong (although calling last week's uprising a "small scale mimicry of Kristallnacht" was a little shrill). The "I want my country back!" rhetoric does reflect a mind-set in which one's country has been taken away by ... others. But in thinking about race this weekend, I got more out of a column by Ron Brownstein, which examined poll data showing that white voters -- wrongly -- tend to believe healthcare reform helped "other people," not themselves.

Even though the Obama administration tried to stress the bill's benefits to all families -- insurance for folks with preexisting conditions, restrictions on companies dropping you when you get sick, letting kids stay on parents' policies until they're 26, as well as subsidies that will mainly go to middle- and working-class families (the poor are already covered by Medicaid) -- a Gallup survey found that 57 percent of white respondents said that the bill would help the uninsured, and 52 percent said that it would improve conditions for low-income families. Only a third of whites thought it would benefit the country, and shockingly, only 20 percent thought it would benefit their family. (Nonwhites polled were more likely to say the bill would help their families.)

Those doubts were especially pronounced among white voters with less than a college education, Gallup found -- the group that most resisted candidate Obama in 2008. They're the least likely to say the plan would benefit the country, even though they're more than twice as likely to lack health insurance as college-educated whites. We can shake our heads at their ignorance, perhaps even racism, or we can try to understand the roots of their doubt. Brownstein points to a Stanley Greenberg poll that found these whites are reaching a tipping point that could send them even more enthusiastically toward Republicans this year. He also notes that among the 34 House Democrats who opposed the healthcare reform bill, 28 percent come from districts with a higher than average percentage of non-college educated whites in their districts.


http://www.salon.com/news/healthcare_reform/index.html?story=/opinion/walsh/politics/2010/03/29/white_voters_and_health_care_reform

[meowomon]

1. I don't know what's up with white people.

I don't get it either. What's up with haters of any persuasion?

[barbiegeek]

15. It's because their was a time in this country when if you were white

It's because their was a time in this country when if you were white, You didn't have to compete with anyone for a job. If a plant had 25 opening and 25 whites and 5 non-whites applied, because of segregation, racism, and gender discrimination the 25 whites guys got the job...regardless if they were qualified, talented, smart enough, or experienced.

Now those same people have to actually compete with everyone: women, minorities, and gays. Now, you actually have to plan for your future, study, gain work experience, train, and compete. They can't handle it. It's ironic that by having the most qualified person gain employment is actually very capitalistic. But their version of capitalism doesn't include them working for it so they get confused.

Despite the fact it's been decades of this change, they've just been taught that Your white & talented (whether or not they really are) but The Government is giving the jobs to Others (but they're really not as talented). Then they go out in the workforce and realize "Shit it's too late, I'm not that smart, I have to work for it, I have to study, etc" and they are angry at themselves and the mythology they were taught.

Denial & anger is easier than accepting that you have to plan for your future or work at it.

Just my opinion from my personal experience where I live.

[Fire1]

17. Chris Rock and I agree with you. n/t

[Yavin4]

19. +1

White working class people were very progressive and supported numerous government expansion programs esp. during the New Deal. Once the Civil Rights Act passed and benefits from increased social spending had to be shared, working class Whites became conservative, even though they too are suffering the lack of social spending.

[Zoeisright]

20. +100000

That's exactly it. When they say they want 'their country' back it's a country where minorities were discriminated against, and women existed only for men to ogle and fondle.

[Dr Morbius]

2. How much time do you have?

What's the matter with white people? We lack modesty. But recall, not nearly all of us have a problem. More whites voted for Obama than any other ethnic group (although the percentages were considerably lower than African-Americans or Hispanics). I have never been a racist - at least, I don't think I ever was - and have always been white on the outside.

I dunno. People who have never been taken down a peg in their lives generally need to be taken down a peg. What more can one say?

[boppers]

3. Public transit. Public job training. Public food.

An interesting session I saw on CNN pointed out that white folks didn't see themselves as part of the "public", and thus, "public" programs benefited others than themselves.

[Dr Morbius]

5. In my experience, that only applies to some white folks.

Poorer whites, especially in urban areas, tend not to be racist at all. Segregation breeds racism, and integration very effectively eliminates it. Suburban whites tend to be racist when they grow up in affluent communities, probably because affluent communities are very white. Rural whites tend to be racist, and rural areas are the least integrated in the nation.

Part of the problem is American exceptionalism; Americans are taught to believe their country is exceptional and that they themselves are special because they are Americans. This is a treacherous mindset; the trouble with circular logic is that it's difficult to escape from it. So I can entirely believe there's a subset of white people who think the "public" refers to the great unwashed, and that they themselves are exceptional.

Or perhaps the right has successfully defined "public" as poli-speak for "socialism".

[PurityOfEssence]

27. Population density, especially in coastal areas and along trade routes, breeds liberalism

A simple look at voting maps bears this out: the denser the population, the bluer it tends to be. Having said that, though, this is a very poisonous thread, and displays plenty of latent racism of its own. Caucasians aren't the only ones filled with self-congratulatory delusions of superiority or a habit of sneering at others; racicm is an equal opportunity affliction.

This is not directed at you, by the way; yours was a post that contributes to the good dialogue.

[Canuckistanian]

31. Yes, there seems to be a reluctance among whites to be called "the public"

Especially when we're ALL "the public". The original word "public" originally meant "the people", with no connotations of class, wealth or social standing.

There seems to be a creeping meaning to the word "public" to indicate "lower class" because only "poor people" use "public pools" or "public transportation", when that was not the intention AT ALL in naming common resources "public".

[boppers]

49. Is there shame in "government cheese"?

The sad thing, I think, is that Hollywood actors didn't understand the world others lived in.

[FrenchieCat]

4. My husband said....."They'll get what they deserve".....

I think he was pissed....cause he's not usually quite like that,
in terms of clumping White folks together like that.

[Hosnon]

6. Jeez, I hope so. What an awful thing to say. nt.

[burning rain]

25. In my nastier moments, I feel the same way.

I wish that every teabagger dying for lack of proper health care could be asked before he dies, "How's that white privilege workin' out for ya?" Jesse Jackson, however, showed a more humane and constructive attitude recently when he encountered a group of teabaggers from West Virginia protesting health care reform. He reacted not in anger but in sorrow and empathy, noting that they were none too well-off, themselves, and were fighting against their own better interests.

[Zomby Woof]

28. He sounds racist to me

[FrenchieCat]

33. I don't consider him to be so.

But he's Black man who was born in a housing project,
and has his own history in what that comment meant to him.
Most Black folks would know exactly what he meant.

[proteus_lives]

38. Racism isn't limited to any one skin color.

[FrenchieCat]

41. I think the "They'll get what they deserve" was more talking about

Those white folks, not all white folks....
considering that my hubby's MIL is White, his wife is half white,
his SIL is White, and his youngest daughter's boyfriend is white....

but it is interesting how folks are choosing to intepret
what my Black man said, in the very worse of ways.

I find that fascinating...cause usually folks are looking
to make excuses for racism by saying, maybe it wasn't this,
maybe it was really something else...

But lo and behold, in this particular case, folks are literally looking for it.

[proteus_lives]

45. Didn't have to look far.

Anyone is capable of acting racist because of anger. It's the human condition. But that doesn't mean people shouldn't be called on it.

[PurityOfEssence]

50. Another sad element of human nature

is that often those who are the most combative and inflammatory are also the ones who expect the most accomodation. Others are simple caricatures deserving of no toleration at all, but they huff and fully expect the benefit of every doubt and the right to rear up with dudgeon when the least bit questioned.

I'm surprised she didn't alert you and campaign to have you drummed out of the communal forum as is her usual tactic, but I forgot about the latent sanctimony and need to vilify those who resist.

[Lilyeye]

7. I agree with Joan.

I mentioned this a few weeks ago when there was a debate about whether or not racism was apart of the teabaggers anger. Someone said that there wasn't because if Hillary was President they would still hate it. I agreed that they would still be angry about the bill if Hillary was President. However, that doesn't mean there wouldn't have been some racial undertones. Some of them would also assume that the bill is helping "lazy minorities" and would hurt working class whites. This is the type of crap my teabagger Aunt and her friends say. I wonder if she was polled lol.

[polichick]

8. There are white progressives and white regressives...

...the second group is fearful and racist. It's as simple as that.

(And they're not all poor and uneducated - I know some wealthy, highly educated people who believe Faux is news and wouldn't believe a word this black president says.)

[tledford]

35. Stupid doesn't have anything to do with education.

Plenty of highly-educated people are morons, and I've known some VERY intelligent people who never went to college.

[polichick]

48. True dat - some of the most intelligent and wisest people I've known were mostly self-taught. nt

[LynneSin]

9. This white person gets it but doesn't understand why the others are being such asses

n/t

[Meshuga]

10. Disinformation that is not challenged by the media helps maintain the fear

Fear tactics work in this country so it is always used to influence public opinion.

[stray cat]

11. Whats the matter with (Insert favorite racial, religious or any group bigots target)?

Bigoted statements are acceptable if it targets someone progressives don't like?

[DatManFromNawlins]

26. That's the problem with insular politics

You start off with the most negative things you can think of about the other side and it goes downhill from there. Frank Rich is about as thoughtful as the contents of a fresh latrine.

[Jennicut]

12. I grew up in a very wealthy, almost nearly white town. And I decided when I graduated

high school that I was never going back there. Some white people that grow up like me need to learn to not shelter themselves anymore, find friends of different races, and grow as people. I know I did. My best friend in college was a young black man named Tom. He was an RA in the dorm next to mine. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Neither of us discriminated against the other. Of course, my parents thought we might date and did not like that at all. This was in 1996, not 1966. It was crazy. We ended up staying just friends and still keep in touch today but it should not have been an issue. And my Mom had friends that thought black people waiting outside on a bench downtown meant they were waiting to be picked up to go to jail (it makes no sense, I know, but I distinctly remember that). Not only that, but this was not the south but New England! People have to make an effort to get to know each other as people, not just as races but also respect the differences. Obama had a lot of white people vote for him and I think there are many of us white progressives who think the white racists are disgusting.

[mkultra]

13. the poll seemed to reveal that they dont think it will help the currently insured

So maybe that's whats going on. Maybe white folks are getting the message that it will bend the cost curve for EVERYONE.

[Clio the Leo]

14. Makes sense and also explains....

.... the "Joe the Plumber" outrage that "taxing the rich" is wrong because they TOO will be rich one day.

[barbiegeek]

16. YES!! And when you ask them their plan for getting Rich....

like what's your business idea, what's your plan, did you invent something, what are you studying..9 out of 10 times I ask that...They have NO answer.

[Clio the Leo]

18. Helloooo! They're investing in GOLD!

;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQLh6FeKC4g

[Yavin4]

22. The Answer Is Because They're White and American

and when they inevitably don't become rich, it's all the fault of minorities, immigrants, women, Gays, environmentalists, taxes, Liberals, the media, etc.

This is no small point. The key differences between us, and people in other industrialized nations, is that we all live under this fantasy that we too will be rich. This fantasy guides all of our decision making and influences policy. "We don't need a single payer health insurance system when we're all going to be wealthy some day."

[SpartanDem]

24. Yeah that mindset is major part of the problem

far too many of these peole have bought in to this a trickle down fantasy that by protecting the the rich they are protecting themselves.

[missheidi]

21. This white chick gets it...

but I'm not understanding why other people are being so idiotic about it.

[bigwillq]

43. Hello.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

23. They've been told by the Industry Giants, Palin and Co. that health care reform

is "welfare reform," and that the negras and brownies don't work and will be "stealing" money from it's rightful owner--the white man.

Sadly, the president and the Democrats framed this debate wrong from the beginning. They should have focused on what Michael Moore did brilliantly in 'Sicko'. Rather than focus on the narrative that we must insure the uninsured, Michael's narrative focused on those who *already have insurance* but have been denied coverage despite their premium/deductible payments.

Another frustrated fact that the Democrats failed to hit home is the reality that we're ALREADY PAYING for people who are uninsured, as well as those who are UNDERinsured. People fail to understand that when the sick/insured rely on the Emergency Room to provide their primary care or as a last resort, the cost of those visits get shifted onto those of us who, thankfully, aren't sick and/or don't rely heavily on our own health insurance due to preexisting conditions/illnesses.

I just don't understand why the Democrats allowed the message to get muddled and why the Republican talking points about government takeovers and killing grandma to flourish in the minds of average Americans. We cannot rely on the M$M because it's lazy and doesn't care about doing the right thing.

We have to hit back harder. We must learn to get in front of these Repuke talking points and narratives BEFORE they have time to take root in the minds of Americans.

I hope it's not too late...

[Yavin4]

36. The Frame Should Have Been That The Bill Is A Consumer Protection Bill

with subsidies for those that cannot afford the high cost of premiums. Framing it as consumer protection and repeatedly using that phrase would have made it clearer for more Americans and our incredibly stupid media.

[Toasterlad]

29. IBTL

[nealmhughes]

30. The "Herrenvolk Democracy" premise is that all white men are equal in potential

through the franchise and office-holding, it is not based on class, only "whiteness." Of course it is a myth, and always was, nearly without exception, David Crockett (who was a major celebrity) and Andrew Johnson excepted.

Try to read "Black Image in the White Mind" by George M. Frederickson, one of the most important books of intellectual history ever, in my opinion. Also read anything by Oakes on slavery. You'll get a pretty good picture real quick like, as we say down South.

[Number23]

32. Some of the comments in this thread have been brilliant.

And I agree that for many, many whites, growing up in a society that treats you as The Chosen People breeds within them a sense of entitlement that is threatened every single time they see someone who is not a member of the Chosen Ones become successful or if there is any balancing of the scales from the powers that be -- even amongst many of the more "liberal" ones. We have seen this so many times throughout our history that this should be irrefutable.

Education and exposure are the only solutions. I'm really glad to see this topic get so much exposure in the media because I don't think it's a coincidence at all that the most vocal opponents of this legislature on BOTH sides of the aisle primarily hail from a single group.

[nickinSTL]

34. yeah - it's ALL white people

:eyes:

give me a break.

The issue is the lack of education, not just the color of their skin.

Yes, it's uneducated WHITE people who are causing the problem, but it's as absurd to suggest it's all white people as it would be to make a similar statement about all members of any other race or ethnic group.

I'm an educated white person, as are my friends and family (and some of my friends don't have college degrees, but they don't fit the "uneducated" label well) - and they're all in favor of reforming the health system.

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CBR]

40. self-delete: should not have even bothered. nt

[political_Dem]

39. White privilege, falsied entitlement and a self-inflated sense of superiority.

For some, those three things causes a lack of empathy for others not of their skin tone. And when those three things are are put in jeopardy by change, violence is used for self-preservation. Any small attack on "privilege" and you get such things as separatism, the KKK and the Teabaggers.

A lack of education is only the tip of the iceberg. Social indoctrination is the key because is establishes behavior like this.

In order for some whites to change, you have to erase many centuries of programming that causes such a mind-set and behaviors.

[CBR]

42. I agree and the first step is to not overreact to articles

such as this by screaming "racism"

[political_Dem]

44. +1

Actually this thread is good, because this aspect of society needs to be discussed. People need to listen, take notes and start to use this knowledge in order to work through the racial problems that affect all of us.

The aspect of white privilege is a biggie and should not be swept under the rug.

[CBR]

47. Totally agree...

I think it is very difficult to assess a privilege you were afforded when you don't feel as a direct benefactor. I think that is what some struggle with it. If you grew up low-income or middle class, it is like, "hey, I am not benefiting from anything here." White privilege is so intertwined with every aspect of society (values, norms, education, clothes) that it is not something easily tangible for many (myself included). It is something that I work on consistently, this also includes other societal privileges (e.g. heterosexuality).

I also think it is important to discuss how class and race interact. There are barriers in society based on class but I feel as though it is extremely dangerous to ignore racism under the banner of classism.

[burning rain]

46. In fairness to most whites, they have little but contempt for poor whites, either.

So it is pretty unrealistic to expect them to be more benevolent toward low-income non-whites.

[ecstatic]

51. The misconceptions will persist until something is done about Fox News

the right wing's propaganda machine. I'm not sure how it's even legal to have a 24 hour news network that misleads people.

[Splinter Cell]

52. As a white person...

I can't tell you why so many whites are so fucking ignorant. They want to be, it seems to me.

As far as white privilege, I can agree and disagree with that. I grew up in a middle class home, but my father worked himself nearly to death(massive heart attack, massive stroke) for everything he's ever had. His father as well. They didn't go to college, and I haven't either, but I don't consider us "uneducated".

My point is, nobody ever gave my father or grandfather anything. They didn't come from money. They just worked their asses off. I think, what it really comes down to is ignorance. There are simply people in the world that are willing to pull their weight, and people that are not for whatever reason they can think up. It applies to people of every background, race etc.