I would be grateful to any minority if they would tell a story of the last time they were oppressed simply because they were a minority.
What about the lack of Asians and Arabs in film and tv shows? And if they are in films or tv shows, they either play small roles, stereotypical villains, or have their roles taken over by whites? There's such a consistent trend within film and media that it's not really arguable anymore. It's not so different from the black face minstrel shows you used to be able to see at the local county fairs. That's a sign of oppression there.
What about having people disregard other cultures because of the cultural differences? Sure, some cultural differences should be disregarded when it comes to making moral judgments but something simply as bowing to another person is regarded as showing inferiority. Why? Bowing is a sign of respect in some traditional cultures as is not looking someone in the eye. Similarly, some people have asperger's and can't look others in the eye and we condemn them because of it. Our American culture has always had a way of condemning things we don't understand. At the same time, popular culture references products and traditions not familiar with minority groups. There is an automatic sense of alienation from the rest of society. Is it anyone's fault in this case? No. But because the majority rules, the products of the masses interferes with the minority and they'll automatically feel left out. In this way, it is oppression from the majority tradition. I'm not saying go blame and critique white people but our country could do a better job bringing awareness to other cultures.
And what about when I'm walking with friends on the street and drive-by assholes call us out by racially derogatory names? Yeah, some of them are drunk and others are doing it just because of a group mentality, but doesn't that indicate some form of prejudice underneath? I've had this happen so many times, especially in smaller ghetto/hick areas.
And yes, whites are discriminated against with just about every other ethnic/racial group. And yes, I personally think a lot of the racial 'tensions' stem from economic differences rather than pure discrimination. And yes, with the exception of representation in film/media, these don't classify as pure oppression simply because our country has worked hard to fragmentize and alienate racists so that they remain ineffective as a whole. But to ignore these small repeated numbers of racist actions is to ignore the micro-oppressiveness of racist thought and bigotry.
And yes, while you aren't racist in any way, to say racial oppression doesn't exist would be to ignore the other side of America, where it does exist on an institutional and fragmentized level.
I'm not saying ethnic studies classes are the correct way of teaching. But leveling the ground through censorship isn't going to do any good. In fact, it's worse for minorities who have had crimes committed against them while being ignored by a failed justice system.
If, like you said, we're human and all in this together, we shouldn't ignore the colors that people attribute to us because they, themselves, are racist.
