In this article the author complains that the "Empowerment Experiment" - in which black Americans give all their business to other blacks - is being applauded while if whites decided to go only to white businesses they would be branded as racist.
The counter argument is that black Americans don't have the power to be racist in American society: "By definition, racism is the capacity/power to translate prejudice/bigotry into custom, policy or law. Black people have not had the predisposition or the power to oppress White people in this country. Hence the notion of "Black racism" is a contradiction in terms."
Possible discussion questions:
Is it acceptable for black Americans, white Americans, Korean Americans, or any other group to support "their kind"?
When minorities support minorities does this in some way "level the playing field"?
What would you call it if whites decided to "buy white" (give their business to other whites)?
Is black racism a contradiction?
Posted by James Trotta at May 21, 2009 3:26 AMESL blog is one of many Blogs for learning English & teaching English. Translation services information.