Do you think the term "White Antiracist" is an oxymoron?

Before you start in on me - I probably agree with you in that I don't think it is. However, let me explain the other side:

Because of institutional racism built into the American system, and because of white privilege, there are those who argue that a white person cannot possibly be an anti-racist, since they benefit so much from the system. There are so many things a white person does, consciously but even unconsciously, that support the white privilege system, that they cannot possibly work against it; any work they do to fight it will be negated by their support of the racism built into the American system.

Add to this that many white people have participated in historical antiracist activities, only to domineer, control and browbeat minorities in the process. An example used is with John Brown, who no doubt fought valiantly against slavery. However, when he recruited free blacks from Canada, he forced them to carry the American flag, despite their protests.

As for me, I disagree. But I will say that the best thing white people can do in the antiracist movement is not to 'lead minorities to victory,' but instead work within the white community to educate them on white privilege and racism.

Your thoughts?

and publicly shame them whenever possible. A little risky, at times, but worthwhile.

First he starts off by calling on them on it - but then turns it, via probing questions (a great sales trick, btw) on why they thought so low of white people that they thought an all white audience would accept that kind of racism.

institutionalized racism, then he can be an anti-racist, if he otherwise participates in anti-racist activities.

I don't worry about any inherent unfairness in affirmative action, because I know MY job application won't ever wind up in the trash can because of the spelling of my name or my ethnic background. By the same token, my increased chance of finding employment is not based on anything I did, and there is nothing I can do about it - that is how it is institutionalized.

OTOH, if a white person insists that thee is no such thing as institutionalized racism, and everything they have was gained by dint of their own merits, that person cannot call himself anti-racist.

And, IMO, a white person trying to tell any minority how to handle their own struggle may not necessarily be racist, but it certainly is elitist.

(edited for clarification of opening statement)

"Huh? I don't patronize bunny rabbits!" ---Heathers

Stooo-pid.

meanwhile he and two of his sons gave their lives. Watson and Oliver were both under 25 when they died trying to free slaves.

Which is that John Brown, who could be seen as a model antiracist, even had flaws.

If someone like Brown could have flaws, then we all should look at ourselves.

We spend an inordinate amount of time looking for flaws in everybody and we can always find them, especially in others.

"I was born in Baronn in the Sirius Sector. I lived my life in an atmosphere of anti-Terrestrialism in the formative years, so I can't help what flaws and follies lie at the roots of my subconscious. But look on the surface and tell me if, in my adult years, I have not fought bigotry in myself. Not in others; that would be easy. But in myself, and as hard as I could." Pebble in the Sky, Isaac Asimov, 1950, p. 150

Yet, OUR great quest, as mentioned above, is to see and call out racism in others. Point that finger and yell "j'accuse". Put somebody else on the pillory and heap scorn and maybe some rotten cabbages on them, as if you have no flaws of your own.

"A thousand other insults, hoots, imprecations, and, from here and there, stones were rained upon him.

Quasimodo was deaf, but his vision was clear; and the public fury was plainly expressed in their distorted faces as by their words. Besides, the stones that struck him were synchronized with the outbursts of laughter.

At first, he bore up under these additional indignities very well. But by degrees his patience, which had remained inflexible under the whip of the torturer, bent and broke under these insect stings." The Hunchback of Notre Dame p. 229

As to why some might find it oxymoronic to have a white antiracist

Your point is well made, but I think we should be searching for all flaws, in ourselves and others - especially our heroes, for that way we can learn from the mistakes

Blame is useless; learning is divine

Every time I see a Ford Pinto Wagon, I think of that scene