Comments on Books White People Need to Read - page 5

☆♥☆Kotyonok★♡★ wrote: "Lovely title. Not racist at all -_-. I'm not even white but I think that's a bullshit title, if it was called 'books black people need to read' there'd be a crusade.

And please don't come at to st..."

You seem to be really comfortable in your own ignorance with a statement like "please don't come at to start a debate...I just don't get why people adamantly call out white people nowadays." Did you want to know the reason, or not? Why bother to comment? Why not just state your thought to yourself and keep moving if you don't want anyone to say anything to you? People are weird.

Regardless of how anyone feels about the title of this list, you should be able to conclude that given the time frame, the title is here to stay. Nothing is changing. You can take the list for what it is, a list of books that minorities feel are as valid and important as every single required reading book we have had to endure about the lives and contributions of Europeans. Or, you can choose to see past the title and feel angered by the audacity of any minority to suggest that a white person must read anything that isn't about them.

How dare a minority single out a white person? How dare they assume that all white people think alike. Everyone is an individual! Until they are a minority...then you can lump them together as you please.

I'll tell you what I've heard my entire life when I mentioned feeling that something was racist. "It's just a (List, job, book, movie, song, etc) that doesn't make it racist. Don't take it so personally."

☆♥☆Kotyonok★♡★ wrote: "Leeann wrote: "☆♥☆Kotyonok★♡★ wrote: "Lovely title. Not racist at all -_-. I'm not even white but I think that's a bullshit title, if it was called 'books black people need to read' there'd be a cr..."

There's no need for me reiterate any labels for you. I believe you've done well all on your own. I comment on pages because I like to discuss and to discover new ways of thinking. Thank you for replying. I was hoping you would have some fire in you somewhere. Now you just have to work on supplying your own information and sharing your own views instead of just restating everything that I just said.

The end goal is not to play "I'm rubber and you're glue", but to make someone think and say "Oh, hold up. I disagree because..." I just didn't feel any desire to rethink anything with your statements. Try again.

Shane wrote: "What an absurd and racist title....books that white people should read....We need a list for books that Stunned Liberals and Social Justice warriors need to read then.....and Keith ellison is on th..."

So, why not make the list? It only takes a moment to start one. Share the link and people can start voting on new books right away.

This list is fantastic, I would like to greet the creator.

Leeann wrote: "Shane wrote: "What an absurd and racist title....books that white people should read....We need a list for books that Stunned Liberals and Social Justice warriors need to read then.....and Keith el..."

Here's another list better than this one:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Brrrrr, the title of this list is absolutely cringeworthy.

Instead of telling a whole community of people based on the amount of melanin in their skin what books to read, it might be a better idea to promote books that teach wisdom, critical thinking, basic psychology and some (cultural) history for ALL people. And not only western history for that matter. History encompasses the entirety of humanity.

All people have a deep implicit ingroup and outgroup bias towards people of other "races" among other qualities. Yes, all people. The most important thing is to not deny that fact, and to become conscious of all those biases, to understand and educate ourselves. That way we can consciously build communities where racism is effectively defused.

Nick wrote: "Brrrrr, the title of this list is absolutely cringeworthy.

Instead of telling a whole community of people based on the amount of melanin in their skin what books to read, it might be a better idea..."

Well said.

I feel the same way, and I've created another list that celebrates the accomplishments of great people throughout history, instead of trashing an entire race. Please vote here:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

"The title is racist against white people!" is the most common comment here because the Western world is mainly white and they get to pick what is offensive, regardless of how little sense it makes.

I want to give a shout out to everyone who made that comment: You just proved this list is needed, exactly as titled.

I love how NO ONE who is crying over the title understands why a list like this even exists. If you think you do, you don't. Now, why do I say that? Well, it is your world; we just live in it.

Let me know if you get this: A List of Books Non White People Need to Read is called the Current Education System.

How about this? Racism is a system of oppression BASED ON RACE. White people cannot be a victim of a system they created.

How about this one? Prejudice and discrimination is what MOST of you are actually talking about. Look it up. In other words, it is not racism.

Last try: Saying "everyone is equal" and "I wish racism didn't exist" is the lamest, weakest, most pathetic response to any racism argument because it is telling all listeners the one speaking is currently doing nothing about this awful system.

There is no need to debate. If you are crying over the title, you do not get it and NEED to read the books on this but won't.

That, in itself, is a paradox.

Doris, maybe this "discussion" is more relevant to The US, I wouldn't know exactly, but defending these points is beyond ridiculous. Picking and choosing your own singular definition of racism, connecting it to a system -made out of all white people, how surprisingly- and excluding other people from the possibility (read: responsibility) of acting racist is just so bizarre, and serves absolutely no one.

It's more fruitful for society as a whole to become conscious about the psychological basis of racist biases and prejudices. In that manner we all can fight together to minimize the harms of racism in our countries. To point at the entirety of white people (as if 'white people' of 'black people' says something meaningful about individuals or communities) and telling them what books to read is idiotic.

We need to build an as much as possible non-racist society, or system as you would call it, from the bottom-up. With a rational, empathetic, non-dividing discourse. Not blowing up the good intentions of people with all the strong emotions running high and all the pointing of fingers.

Doris wrote: ""The title is racist against white people!" is the most common comment here because the Western world is mainly white and they get to pick what is offensive, regardless of how little sense.

The system that is happening now is not what White people or any other people created or intended. The crooked politicians are only out for votes. That is why they flood the streets with al-Queda terrorists and make Trayvon Martin into some kind of martyr when he was really, deep inside, nothing but a thug. The Republican/Right Wing is history White Christian; so why not go ahead and introduce ISiS into the mix. They can go blow up regular folk while the politicians have security up their ass. In the early 1900's eugenics was mainstream, now its multiculturalism. It's a fad that everyone will eventuality get sick of. It will all have very ugly consequence though.

The title of this list is flat-out racist.

I do not care for racism, nor do I care for racists.

Change the title.

Athens wrote: "The title of this list is flat-out racist.

I do not care for racism, nor do I care for racists.

Change the title."

I created another list for those who think this list is racist, one that doesn't put down the achievements of any race, but celebrates them. Please vote on it here:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

It is a racist offense on the part of Goodreads.com to allow this list to be named as it is.

Change it.

Athens wrote: "It is a racist offense on the part of Goodreads.com to allow this list to be named as it is.

Change it."

Dear Athens,
i just found this list here in 2017 and in no way find it offensive. What i do find somewhat offensive are your responses to the title of this list and the many supremacists you have invited onto it who share your imperial ideals with borderline racist remarks that your racial sensitivities seem oblivious to.
What i find most offensive is how the ruling majority can be offended by the name of a list but are in no way offended by the stories and rhetoric represented by these books. They are in no way offended by the horror and terror inflicted upon these people of colour by europeans and their descendants and seem to think this title is more racist than the actions of racists.
The ignorance displayed on these pages borders racism but i would prefer to think it was purely ignorance, although history suggests otherwise.
I would advise you @Athens to answer the reasonable and intelligent questions put to you by "I read Books" which you conveniently have decided to ignore in favour of spouting your asininity.
Why is that Athens? Why can you not enter into an adult intellectual discussion about this subject?

Why is that when blatant racists come onto this comment board you have nothing to say, you do not defend half of yourself?

Your words betray your alleged heritage!
My mixed race friends and family can all clearly see the difference between racism and discrimination, it seems you have a hatred for one part of yourself and love for another. You have mentioned your white mother in loving and respectful terms but have not mentioned your black father, why is this? Society? Did he not impact your life in the same way as your mother? Is this the reason you feel bias to one side of your alleged ancestry? I have never in my entire life met any mixed race person who feels racism only exists against white people, that is an unprecedented viewpoint where i'm from, somewhat because we read books but mostly because we live in the real world!
In this real world, THE MAJORITY of people of colour are oppressed by WHITE MALES and we're are still living this and dealing with these issues however much you wish to ignore this fact.

Lastly i would like to state, the title of this book list is not racist at all. As someone suggested if there was, (and there already is') a list which reverses the rolls there would be uproar, well no there was no uproar, as minorities we do not have the privilege of being offended in the same way you do or the power to change it!
p.s.
Here's a book for you mr "I am not white" Uncle Tom's Cabin, i'm sure you will relate.
Goodnight

Athens wrote: "It is a racist offense on the part of Goodreads.com to allow this list to be named as it is.

Change it."

Dear Athens,
your friends and sympathisers have created a list of the same name with one addition, the word 'really'.
The full title of this book list is "Books White People Really Need To Read".
The question i ask is do you not find this title offensive?
The only difference between the 2 lists is one is full of literature created by or pertaining to the lives and voices of people of colour and the other is populated by white authors and subjects that do not highlight racism and inequality?
Please explain either way.


Also i would like to ask you why you have not dedicated any of your time and resources to objecting to the title of that book list in the same way you have on this one?
Quoting from these pages i ask you "How can this list exist without a presupposed and prejudiced stereotype of what white people think and are??"
Is it not also racist by your reckoning?

Joel wrote: "Laurie wrote: "Did you know that White people created Western Civilization..."

Someone should create another list to compete with this one called 'Books While people should read to learn about the..."

Because you are a racist

Klinton wrote: "Because you are a racist "

RAAAACIST!!!!

And obviously proud of your little hitler status, kudos

"This list is for non-fiction & memoir written from a progressive, anti-racist point of view."

Have you been following the progressive movement lately? That is where most of the racism is coming from.

Dear Klinton-

The creation of other lists has no bearing of any kind of that fact that the title of this specific list is overtly racist.

My apologies for embarrassing you by pointing out the obvious.

Goodreads is behaving in a racist manner by allowing it to continue, named as it is.

Athens wrote: "Dear Klinton-

The creation of other lists has no bearing of any kind of that fact that the title of this specific list is overtly racist.

My apologies for embarrassing you by pointing out the obv..."

Athens,

Embarrassed? Your intelligence betrays you, I am appalled.
Do your nephews call you Uncle Tom?

The creator of this list wrote "This list is for non-fiction & memoir written from a progressive, anti-racist point of view."
It was created by a non-racist white person for white people, by design, it can not be racist against those white people.

My apologies for embarrassing you by pointing out what should be quite obvious.

In response to you moot point, regardless of whether the creation of lists have any bearing on anything else, the question remains, Is Goodreads "behaving in a racist manner" by allowing the other list to continue to be named as it is? Yes or No Athens?

Klinton,

"Do your nephews call you Uncle Tom?"

You are the caricature of the new kind of racist.

You really are embarrassing yourself.

God bless your little soul,
Joel

Wow, that Klinton sure can sling some hateful racist crap when he gets called on the carpet for misbehaviour.

This man is the deliberate product of an extremist indoctrination system.

Athens wrote: "Wow, that Klinton sure can sling some hateful racist crap when he gets called on the carpet for misbehaviour.

This man is the deliberate product of an extremist indoctrination system."

It's the new identity politics, courtesy of B...

You have spent 5 years of your life on this tirade. 5 YEARS! Pathetic.

Good Bye

Hi everyone!

Thanks for commenting on this list.

Please vote on the following list, which I think does a much better job celebrating the achievements of all races, instead of putting them down:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Removed The Color Purple #30 because it is fiction. Good book though.

Here's a book some people need to read: "Stop blaming other people for your problems".

Lianne (The Towering Pile) wrote: "There is no assumption being made here that all white people are racist. There's a difference between having white privilege (which all white people have, regardless of anything else), and being ra..."

I see you're Canadian. As a white Romanian man I've been spat upon and insulted in Europe due to my nationality. Not to mention being unable to find work due to employees not trusting Romanians. For you to say all white people are privileged is nothing short of ignorant.

Drekinn wrote: "Lianne (The Towering Pile) wrote: "There is no assumption being made here that all white people are racist. There's a difference between having white privilege (which all white people have, regardl..."

I agree with Drekinn, this is more like a tribalism privilege, it just so happens that the "white"tribe in the U.S happens to be privileged. Not too long ago, in the U.S Italians and Scotts were considered just that Italians and Scotts and they were discriminated against, somehow they became "white" and were no longer discriminated against. We see examples of the tribalism all over the world, especially in the regions of Africa that were colonized by the French and British, where the "British" tribe is more privileged than the "french"tribe. Countless other examples that I can provide but then it would get redundant. Anyway "white" people in the America's (south, central, and north) do have some sort of I wouldn't say privilege but preferred treatment compared to the people of a darker skin color.

how ironic! a book list, that talks about racism, with a racist title..

Kikat wrote: "how ironic! a book list, that talks about racism, with a racist title.."

They'll tell you that only White people can be racist.

Joel wrote: "Kikat wrote: "how ironic! a book list, that talks about racism, with a racist title.."

They'll tell you that only White people can be racist."

LOL, you're right. I liked most of the books in this list but the title provoked me even though I'm not "white" myself.

Kikat wrote: "Joel wrote: "Kikat wrote: "how ironic! a book list, that talks about racism, with a racist title.."

They'll tell you that only White people can be racist."

LOL, you're right. I liked most of the ..."

Kikat - try this list; it's a lot more positive.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Joel wrote: "Kikat wrote: "how ironic! a book list, that talks about racism, with a racist title.."

They'll tell you that only White people can be racist."

This is an important point on the social justice warrior agenda. They play around with words and definitions, like the Post-Modernists they are, and claim that racism is confined to groups that hold power over other groups. Yet they refuse to define 'power', or how to determine who has that power. They want to turn the racism / oppression pyramid upside down, so the most oppressed group will become the most powerful group, now able to oppress the former 'racists' and 'oppressors'. It's a sickening and pathetic form of claiming victimhood to justify their own bigotry.

Joel wrote: "Kikat wrote: "Joel wrote: "Kikat wrote: "how ironic! a book list, that talks about racism, with a racist title.."

They'll tell you that only White people can be racist."

LOL, you're right. I like..."

thanks, will do!

Youp wrote: "Joel wrote: "Kikat wrote: "how ironic! a book list, that talks about racism, with a racist title.."

They'll tell you that only White people can be racist."

This is an important point on the socia..."

I think racism is an act to justify human's unjustifiable hatred towards one another. and unfortunately is been treated like a legacy or a torch that's been handed from one generation to another. that sickening cycle needs to end.

...Why is Chips in a Bag Classy Mr Murray: A heartwarming love story blended with elements of deception, love lost, suspense and redemption. on this list? This is a serious question. I haven't read it, and I can't tell if it's about race.

.
.
.
I am part of an ethnic group which I have personally witnessed on many occasions expressing racism towards white people.

I have seen my own people act out that racism in physical form.

The idea that racism against white people does not exist is something that kids might be taught at a junior college, but it is certainly not true.

The title of this list is racist.

This list is racist.

Dorian -

I am not white, genius.

This is a racist list and you are making it more so.

Take your racist crap somewhere else, please, thank you.

Grant wrote: "Why title this "Books White People Need To Read?" I find this slightly ignorant. These are books that ALL people should read. I hardly condone all of the actions and attitudes of my ancestors. A li..."

I would argue that, regardless of whether or not we "condone all the actions and attitudes of our ancestors", this list is still appropriately titled.

I don't condone racism, but as a white person, I still benefit from it, and there are experiences that I, as a white person do not understand, so there are a lot of things that I, as a white person need to learn. It's not enough to say "discrimination based on race is wrong! I understand this, so I am officially Not A Racist"; racism is something that needs to be actively unlearned, and a real dialogue can't happen if one party needs so much handholding, softening, and sugarcoating that the severity of the issue is lost. It's easy to get defensive, I know, but someone is trusting that you are an intelligent and mature enough person to acknowledge and confront your own position of privilege, so try not to betray that trust.

Kaera wrote: "It's not enough to say "discrimination based on race is wrong! I understand this, so I am officially Not A Racist"..."

I disagree. "Discrimination based on race is wrong", full stop. You don't fight racism with racism. This list is racist, and not an appropriate way to fight racism.

Joel wrote: "Kaera wrote: "It's not enough to say "discrimination based on race is wrong! I understand this, so I am officially Not A Racist"..."

I disagree. "Discrimination based on race is wrong", full stop...."

Not gonna engage with the actual...argument...? Okay doke, I guess.

Kaera wrote: "Not gonna engage with the actual...argument...? Okay doke, I guess. ..."

No. I usually find that there isn't much value in engaging with racists on the internet.

Just shut up already, you whiny white folk. Let the baby have his bottle and move on.

I love the title of this list. Love it! As soon as I saw it, I thought, "Hmm . . what's on that list? Have I already read any of it? I bet I can find some good books to read. I'm going to check this out!"

The suggested titles, by and large, look great. Thanks!

Anastasia, a white person

Kaera wrote: "Joel wrote: "Kaera wrote: "It's not enough to say "discrimination based on race is wrong! I understand this, so I am officially Not A Racist"..."

I disagree. "Discrimination based on race is wrong..."

Dear Keara, there is no point trying to initiate an intellectual conversation with Joel or any of his alter egos such as Athens or Kikat, I have tried and they have failed at every opportunity. There is no room for reasoned discourse here, only affirmations of privilege and supremacy!
Furthermore if you continue to disagree with them they will stalk you in your private messages.

I talk from experience!

Joel wrote: "Kaera wrote: "Not gonna engage with the actual...argument...? Okay doke, I guess. ..."

No. I usually find that there isn't much value in engaging with racists on the internet."


Joel,

Not for the first time on this forum a white person has confronted you with the truth and argued, 'the title of the list is not racist and is quite appropriate'.
Not for the first time someone has made a case and argument for you to respond to in an intellectual manner.
Not for the first time you have been unable to show the intelligence required to reply or even acknowledge the points made and have replied with more asininity.

To address your new point, Kaera has stated she is white and is not racist and as a black man I can see no way in which she has portrayed any racism here, therefore, as per your statement you have no reason not to engage with her and her argument. Furthermore, I believe we would all find much value in you engaging with her and her argument as readily as we have yours.

I await a reply that has nothing to do with the points I have made and includes random references to the race you will not tell anyone you belong to and their alleged hatred toward white people which is the only form of racism you have ever witnessed and must see on a daily basis!
Then I suppose you will tell us to look at another list titled extremely similarly to this one but in your warped world is not racist in any way at all!

Joel wrote: "Klinton,

"Do your nephews call you Uncle Tom?"

You are the caricature of the new kind of racist.

You really are embarrassing yourself.

God bless your little soul,
Joel"

Joel you are embarrassing yourself by making such a flawed argument that you are unable to back up.
You have failed to acknowledge and reply to the questions posed on more than one occasion, so lets try this again, You say GoodReads is "behaving in a racist manner" by allowing this list to be named as it is. "Books white people need to read"

So the question remains, Is Goodreads not "behaving in a racist manner" by allowing the list you promote to continue to be named as it is, 'Books White People Really Need To Read?
Yes or No Joel and Athens?
Please explain either way

Klinton wrote: "Bla bla bla bla"

TL;DR