Not Everyone’s Laughing At “Shit White Girls Say To Black Girls”
This one time at journalism camp (Yes, there is such a thing.), a white friend that I had been bonding with for the week, leaned over and confided that until last year’s camp experience, she had been certain black people had tails. That same summer, another camper expressed her extreme dislike for rap music and then turned to me apologizing so profusely you’d think I was Kool Moe Dee himself. I’ve been “the only” in so many situations from childhood until today that when I spotted comedian Franchesca Ramsey’s new video, “Shit White Girls Say to Black Girls,” I almost squealed. Man, could I relate! In college for four years in Iowa, I heard half these things four times between the shower and my morning class. For me, Ramsey’s entry into the “Shit ________ Say” meme was not only funny, it also contained important social commentary. But not everyone is laughing.
As the video exploded across the Internet, some folks, particularly white women, including ones who deem themselves liberal, anti-racist allies, pushed back. A cruise through comments over on Huffington Post, Jezebel and Facebook reveals some unhappy responses, including 1) This is reverse-racism/stereotyping! 2) Everybody says dumb racial stuff equally. Guess what this black girl said to me once? 3) Nobody really says this stuff. I mean, maybe in the South/Flyover States… 4) How come this is okay, but “Shit black girls say to white girls” wouldn’t be?
Sigh.
You think talking about “big” racial issues like loan discrimination and redlining and police brutality against black men is hard? It’s often a lot easier than discussing race-based “microaggressions.” Microaggressions is a word coined by psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce, meaning “brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward people of other races.”
The discussion is hard because it requires good, well-meaning people to admit to and examine their own racial privilege. It requires those who may think of themselves as anti-racist allies to do more than tsk tsk along with black friends about some madness, say, Rick Santorum said, and recall the things they personally (and perhaps innocently) may have done to make friends, family and co-workers of color feel othered. That’s tough. And it’s not just tough for the “white girls” mentioned in Ramsey’s work. It’s hard for everyone who has any kind of privilege, be it educational privilege, sexual privilege, gender privilege, etc. (All microaggressions aren’t tied to race. Just check out the Microaggressions Tumblr to see the many non-race-related ways this can play out.) But “Shit white girls say…” is centered on racial privilege and that is what much of the push back seems to ignore.
Look, individual black folks say plenty of stupid stuff about race, likely some of it to non-black people they know. This ignorance is neither right nor good. Nor need it be tolerated by white friends. But it is not microaggression. The difference? Power, racial privilege and historical context. In an essay about reverse racism, anti-racist educator and author Tim Wise explains:
As a white person, I always saw the terms honky or cracker as proof of how much more potent white racism was than any variation practiced by the black or brown. When a group of people has little or no power over you, they don’t get to define the terms of your existence, they can’t limit your opportunities, and you needn’t worry much about the use of a slur to describe you, since, in all likelihood, the slur is as far as it’s going to go. What are they going to do next: deny you a bank loan? Yeah, right. So whereas “nigger” is a term used by whites to dehumanize blacks, to “put them in their place” if you will, the same cannot be said of honky; after all, you can’t put white people in their place when they own the place to begin with.
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Okay, I’m white, which is why I read this article. The video doesn’t really offend me at all, firstly because I’m not an dumb white girl who says dumb things to people, secondly, I figure its pretty light hearted, we all poke fun, especially with those closest to us. I think white people, at least in America, have self worth issues, the pride we do have is superficial, we have white skin and that’s it, and on a certain level I think we know that’s all were good for and its not real. Its not a good thing because having white skin in reality, is worthless. Were shown images of white people living prosperous lives doing great things, as if white is great, but what we actually hear and see is white people destroying everything, people telling us we have no souls, people telling us its genetically impossible for us to experience the spiritual realm, we can’t dance, we don’t belong here ( I never would choose to live here anyway), were mutants, no sex appeal, never contributed to anything of lasting quality, were cold, we age fast, we can’t connect with anything…, the list goes on. The kids I went to school with were mostly white, it was in a more rural area, but even at that they still tried to fit in and act like the black kids. If you go to the mall here you’ll find white kids trying to dress and be like “pimps” and “gangsters” and you will find the black kids at the skate shop buying flannels. And now, as white becomes the minority that becomes more clear. Its not attractive to be pale, sometimes I cry at my paleness, because I know nobody actually thinks pale is beautiful and if they do they are probably brain washed. I can tan in the summer, it looks nice, but its temporary. Everything about being white is temporary.
“”The kids I went to school with were mostly white, it was in a more rural area, but even at that they still tried to fit in and act like the black kids. If you go to the mall here you’ll find white kids trying to dress and be like “pimps” and “gangsters” and you will find the black kids at the skate shop buying flannels. And now, as white becomes the minority that becomes more clear. Its not attractive to be pale, sometimes I cry at my paleness, because I know nobody actually thinks pale is beautiful and if they do they are probably brain washed. I can tan in the summer, it looks nice, but its temporary. Everything about being white is temporary.”"
You cry at your paleness? Seriously?!! I’m white, I’m pale. I can’t believe you are pulling this shit on this thread. What you are talking about with the kids dressing like “pimps” is racist bullshit and it’s white people appropriating what they think is black culture. Please follow this link and unpack your privilege. http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html
Dude, honestly? You cannot compare those things at all. You’re own perception is not, in ANY way, comparable to being COMPLETELY held back based on race.
K, first of all, absorb what C and Rosa have said. They’re spot on. Second, cut it out with the suntanning already. Want to know why white people age so poorly? The affects of the SUN are more damaging to them, causing premature aging and skin cancer. (Yes, people of color can get skin cancer, but it’s much more prevalent among whites.) Start wearing daily sunscreen and get a good non-orange spray tan if being pale causes you such anxiety. However, you can’t buy self-esteem.
You claim that you are too smart to say the things said in this video, yet you then make comments that are even worse. Please follow the link Rosa posted and get a clue. White people (like me) really do need to examine our privilege and own up to the stupid things we say.
Also, white people are becoming the minority? In the United States? I cannot even respond to such nonsense because I’m now unconscious from slapping my hand to my forehead too hard.
FYI white people DON’T try to compare you paleness to minorities as a manner to garnish sympathy or feel like you can relate to us. Considering people that look like you are plastered all over everything in every single country, I don’t think the idea of white beauty is going anywhere anytime soon.
Also props to Rosa for letting you have it. K you need to take that mess somewhere else.
[...] everyone is laughing, but that MIGHT be because they [...]
[...] Among the most popular is “Sh*t Girls Say,” which has grabbed 10 million views on YouTube to date. There’s a host of imitators, including “Sh*t Black Girls Say.” Both videos have caused their fair share of controversy. [...]
I’m black but very light skinned so I’m constantly getting teased and heckled by my “friends”, of all races that I’m not really black or sort of black or that I don’t really count as being black. I wasn’t raised to think everything someone says to me or does to me could somehow be because I was black. Then again I grew up in a small, college centered city with doctors and lawyers surrounding me.
When I saw the video I thought it was hilarious! I know a few times I’ve said, in a valley girl voice, “I don’t want to sound racists…” right before I say something racist. And then of course the teasing I get. We all say dumb things, it’s human nature. I think sometimes we assume people know more about people of their race because growing up you see parents wanting to show their childern successful people they can relate too. When I was a teenager I remember my mom questioning why I didn’t have photos of black movie stars on my wall like I did with white movie stars. I don’t remember her going further into why, I believe I even asked her with a puzzled albiet offended “why?!” She didn’t ask why I didn’t have Hallie Berry on the wall, I could have answered I don’t like any Hallie Berry movies. She asked why I didn’t have any black people… Huh? At that time there weren’t that many black actors who were popular in movies for teens. Why would I put up photos of random black people just because I’m black? I didn’t like the stars I did because they were white.
I can understand someone getting offended by the things said in the video, if they were honestly said to them, but the video itself it’s offending to me. It’s just a poke at how insensitive and politically incorrect we can all be. Instead of getting upset about the fact that there are ingnorant people out there that say things like this, I think at least we are at a point where we can laugh at it, and in good nature show it to friends who maybe make comments like these, not realizing they could offend and maybe work on not saying things like that.
Whoa, K…. racial oppression is not about a popularity contest. White prividege is a reality in our society. If you are white, you are benefiting from it- just as I am. Glamourizing and fetishizing characteristics of people of color is not the same as combatting racism. The media affront and constant barrage of body judgement and self-critique that we are exposed to as women does not cancel out the privilidge we have as white people. Oppression of women and oppression of people of color are both realities. Forms of oppression share many characteristics, but please do not confuse one for the other. As a white woman, there is work you can do to combat racism (even as you inadvertantly benefit from it), and there is work you can do to combat sexism. For more thoughts about that, maybe check out TheWhiteNoise Collective facebook page or blog….
[...] “Shit White Girls Say to Black Girls” causing issues [...]
The crazy thing black women say to white women would never occur, b/c we don’t use that type of stereotypical language with white women-we have sense.
Oh plz. That’s EXACTLY the mind set we r discussing
“We have sense.”
Absolute bullsh*t.
You are claiming as a race to be more sensible…then I guess all my examples to the contrary are of people who only looked black? Maybe they were really tan? Oh please is right. Unbelievable.
“Like all ideologies, the varieties of the ideology of victimization are forms of fake consciousness. Accepting the social role of victim—in whatever one of its many forms—is choosing to not even create one’s life for oneself or to explore one’s real relationships to the social structures. All of the partial liberation movements–feminism, gay liberation, racial liberation, workers´ movements and so on—define individuals in terms of their social roles. Because of this, these movements not only do not include a reversal of perspectives which breaks down social roles and allows individuals to create a praxis built on their own passions and desires; they actually work against such a reversal of perspective. The ‘liberation’ of a social role to which the individual remains subject.”-Wolfi Landstreicher on the ideology of victimization.
From reading the comments that have been posted, i have been left dismayed at the amount of people obessed with defineing EVERYTHING through racial stereotypes. I mean seriously people its 2012, if we’re (the human race) ever going to get anywhere, we have to start letting go of the emotional baggage regarding these issues and start to see things for what they really are. White privilidge as far as i can see is perputuated illusion by the racially obsessesed. I mean disgregarding the fact that within a racial context its actually equally offensive too lump all ‘white people’ together as haveing the same advantages (come to england and ask the eastern european imigrants if lifes a bed of roses because thier white), i dont believe you need to add a prefix to privilidge for it to be effective i.e the shoe could be on the other foot and the discimination would be the same one, which is one of class discrimination.
The real issue i see is the agenda’s of societys oligarchy being forced upon the general population, who are left to project there frustrations through antiquated prejudices on to one another.
I posted this video on facebook and sure enough I had a Caucasin friend who wasn’t too amused. The truth of the matter is, there are plenty of Black Women who can relate to this video. I am so sick of White friends saying things to me like “it’s like you’re not even Black!!!”. I think that there are some white folks out there who think that they can do no wrong. They think that the things they say don’t hurt people. They think that they aren’t racist. But if you’ve ever said anything from this video, then guess what?! You’re racist
I agree with the ‘position of privilege’ point, that prevents it from being funny if a white person were to put on an Afro wig and mimic stupid things that black racists say.
And I have heard white people make many of the same comments as in the video.
I also get it why some people don’t think this is funny because this video could be construed as racist. But I think that’s a defensive excuse.
As a white person, I don’t really take it that way, because it is true, and because humor is a very intelligent way of dealing with the reality that some people do act that way. Get the reality out there, and if some people get an education about themselves that they weren’t expecting, then so much the better.
[...] dare we talk about our experiences and expect white people to sit back and take the [...]
Ok, I get it and agree to a point. As often being the”token cracker”, i can relate to both points. If u don’t think tjat racism and prejudices exist in EVERY culture and subculture, then all of your friends must be JUST LIKE U. to everyone who had been a “token”, I say thank you! Tokens break down barriers and change the world, one person at a time. If not for my “token” neighbors, I wouldn’t have my wonderful black husband or my fabulous biracial family. So here’s to “tokens” everywhere. Thanks for making a difference and keeping Dr Kings dream alive!
White girls need to come out with their video. Shit black girls say to white girls…. and be real about it too.
I can relate to this video. I grew up on the north side of town where the residents were predominantly white. My parents have 3 college degrees each and we lived in a big house, nice cars ect & i would get so tired of white “friends” saying things like ” wow its like your not really black” but sadly enough i got teased from my black “friends” as well saying i wasn’t “black enough” as well. Anyways I found this video hilarious.
So, in other words you experienced ignorance from whites and blacks due to some nonsense that being successful and proper is an entirely white thing. Being successful and speaking correct English isn’t a racial thing, it’s just the rational way to be.
I grew up in the north, in a primarily white area but there was some diversity. I’ve had some black friends over the years, but talking about race nevere came up. I recently moved to the south and black culture is a lot different here. Blacks and whites don’t interact much and when they do they act they dress and talk the same (whether they are wearing business suits or football jerseys with too much makeup, I just mean they are from the same socioeconomic class). So I don’t have any black friends right now, and watching this video and reading this article makes me nervous, like I should avoid black people so I don’t offend them with microaggressions. I don’t know what it’s like to be black- I wish no one talked about it anymore like when I was growing up, because now it’s politically incorrect to ask if something is racist!
To the author:
Things black people say to white people are not examples of microaggression because they aren’t privileged, you say. I’ll buy that.
But, what do you call it when you get bullied and harassed and threatened for being white?
If that’s not aggression, what IS it?
I would truly love to know.
Signed,
Someone Bullied for Being White
It is aggression, racial aggression at that and anyone who denies that fact is either delusional or simply racist themselves…in this case towards whites.
Ok lets be honest.. the video was just a joke —> A PARODY!! nobody said anything or made a big deal out of Anjelah johnson’s Bon qui qui on mad t.v, where she was a white girl acting like the stereotypical black girl; or Shane dawson as shananay. This is ridiculous. this shows how sensitive Caucasian women can be. Once again it was made to be a joke. Everything the young lady said in the video is without a doubt true, because it has all been said to me. It’s really not that serious.
Stop making racial connections!!! MY GOD!!
Are people angry about the video or about the claims being made surrounding it?
The video WAS funny. Very funny.
You making statements about “How sensitive Caucasian women can be” is what I find unfunny, inflammatory, ignorant, embarrassing, immature, not helpful.
- Caucasian Woman Who Really Liked the Video
Well, I hope you wouldn’t be as sensitive if the shoe were on the other foot.
[...] … and then I came across the video “S*!t White Girls Say … to Black Girls.” Not everyone is amused, but the fact is it went viral. Franchesca Ramsey had her experiences to make this video and said [...]
The article also neglects to spell out the racial privilege of others. For example, we minorities can get away with making racially insensitive jokes towards white while whites will be called out on their veiled racism when they crack a black, Hispanic or Asian joke. So, the road goes both ways. Both sides need to understand their own privilege in respects to race. Asking whites solely to understand their own privilege is simply intellectually dishonest.
The shoe is always on the other foot and its never a joke. When someone “jokes” it always lame as hell. There is only one privilege in this country and that WHITE!! Why are you on this site again?
Kayla, you are wrong. It’s not solely white privilege anymore. Every race is privileged in certain ways. Once all races recognize their privileges then race relations can get back on track. As a minority, I’ve come to recognize this fact. It takes guts and courage to do so.
*One group of people