One of my favorite stories my grandmother ever told me was about the time she moved from her very small, very white town in Minnesota and began working in Washington D.C. Everyday, she and the other women from her office would go out to lunch with their boss, but the only black woman in the office would always stay behind to "answer phones." One day my grandmother volunteered to stay behind so that this woman could go to lunch with everyone else. But before they could leave, their boss pulled my grandmother aside and said that the woman was not allowed where they were going. And I think that was the first time she had ever experienced racism on any level. From then on, she ate lunch at the office with this woman. I don't know why, but this simple story helps keep my hope alive for the world in regards to racism.

@GnpHiker

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Here are some other great and important things I've read this week: Rhett McLaughlin - Thoughts on Confederate Statues from a Southern White Male: medium.com/@rhettmc/thoughts-on-confederate-statues-from-a-southern-white-male-b81a2693113d What white parents can do for black parents right now - www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2017/08/17/what-white-parents-can-do-for-black-parents-right-now/?.e3e7c5182c8e This thing about "white pride" twitter.com/AdrianXpression/status/897978833151852544 White Americans Have to Make a Choice www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/08/white_americans_can_end_the_fight_over_confederate_monuments.html Secret Project - this will only send out one email and it will happen 12 hours after this video goes live, so sign up fast: bit.ly/2x91fC2

@jamestrotman3238

7 жыл бұрын

vlogbrothers hey ive subscribed to the secret project what happens next?

@jakebean8300

7 жыл бұрын

yeah, i feel we need to stop talking about race and just treat everyone as individuals, as race shouldn't matter.

@towhatdegree

7 жыл бұрын

+Jake Bean Ignoring the problem isn't a solution. It needs to be discussed.

@alexandrae3388

7 жыл бұрын

Jake Bean The reason why this approach doesn't work is that it ignores the fact that some people (primarily White people) actively benefit from the current social and institutional structures because of their racial identity. Not speaking or discussing simply perpetuates this advantage.

@jakebean8300

7 жыл бұрын

I really don't want to start a whole discussion here about this because it will turn into a right shit show, but ... they don't. Yes they did, decades ago, but can you find any proof that white people have privileges above other races anymore?

I was born in the 70's at an Air Force base in Ohio. A black doctor delivered me. My mom told me that many of her friends were horrified when they heard that. I'm grateful to be the daughter of the woman that understood that a doctor is a doctor.

"In light of today’s controversy over these Confederate memorials, I keep hearing people say that their removal is an attempt to erase history. This misses the point entirely. The memorials themselves were an attempt to erase history. " - Rhett McLaughlin That final sentence is the best thing I've read in regard to the 'history' defence. Well done mythical beast.

My grandfather was the principal of a Southern high school during integration. My mom was bussed to a different school area during the time of integration. With my family, I have always been taught to not see people for how they look. I've been taught to care for people who they are on the inside. One step further, though, I am the direct descendent of a Confederate soldier. This relative kept a diary during his time fighting in the Civil War (something that is rare for a literate private during that time). He began to call the war an "Unholy War". Because the fight was not over states rights, but their right to own other people. I have hopes that one day that we can move forward and make a world with equality where race is not an issue. I look into the past and see history. There is history I don't want to see repeat.

@vlogbrothers

7 жыл бұрын

Like pretty much everyone with southern ancestry, I'm related to not just many confederate soldiers, but also many slave owners and slave traders. There's a pretty epic story of one of my ancestors (a slave trader) who was killed by one of the people he owned. Lots of news articles about it.

@guspus3050

7 жыл бұрын

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@Micahlee_19

7 жыл бұрын

Megan Goodwin my middle name is Lee. We trace our family back to Robert E Lee's brother. None of us take pride in that at all, but it's important to recognize to push even harder against hate

@megangoodwin2544

7 жыл бұрын

Micah Lee I love your wording. No one can change who they are related to. I think it is important to be able to recognize the hate and the fight against it. I admit growing up that I had mixed feelings just simply knowing I was related to a Confederate soldier. Back then, I didn't know the whole story. As I've gotten older, pieces began to fill in (such as being able to read the copies of the pages of that diary (copies because the actual diary is falling apart due to the test of time)). I guess the main point of all my rambling I have been having (I'm having a tough time putting words out) is that it hurts me to see hate in this world. I just want to have hope that we move past some of this hate we see in our world (such as racial hate). (And I feel like I am getting worse at words while I type so I am gonna stop rambling now)

@indeeruh

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! I'm also from the South and know (and love) a lot of people who grew up during integration. A lot of the lessons that came from that time, as a response to the virulent hatred that many espoused, was to do the opposite and simply ignore race. But as we're learning now, that method isn't working. I'm sorry, but I think that you were taught wrong. What we as POC isn't people who don't look at race, but people who acknowledge it and embrace it. We ARE different and have different experiences based on skin color. It's real. We need allies who are willing to acknowledge their implicit biases (WE ALL HAVE THEM) and work to eradicate them. That does a whole lot more for POC than ignoring the issue.

As a Black American I can honestly say that yours has been the most heartening commentary I've seen since Charlottesville. I like that you said that the candlelight vigil and the white supremacist rally are both America. I've had to hold back laughter every time i read some person, generally white, post "This is not America" or #ThisisNotUS on social media. Like?? You can live in willful ignorance if you want but some of us don't get to. All in all, totally agree with what you said Hank, and thank you so much for saying it.I really think more white people need to be vocal, not in apology out of some sense of shared guilt with white supremacists (which nobody deserves... unless they're actually white supremacists), but in actual advocacy. As much as African Americans came together to make the Civil Rights Movement happen, it took a lot of brave white people to help make change happen. I think we need help again (or should I say, still) and it's disheartening to see so many white people back away from that discussion for fear of insulting people of color (although this is the Internet and that fear is justified to an extent).

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@angiewagner9232

7 жыл бұрын

Evan Belcher +

You had no reason to worry about getting anything wrong, Hank. You did a great job.

@vlogbrothers

7 жыл бұрын

Oh, but if I hadn't worried, I would have gotten more stuff wrong, I bet :-)

@LaytonObserves

7 жыл бұрын

vlogbrothers That's true, though you've clearly given this a lot of thought. I think the race problem is very much down to an "empathy deficit," so to speak. Or perhaps more a fear surplus? Everyone's scared, and just wants to fit in. Though, unfortunately, some people's ways of necessitating that need to fit in is to make sure other people stay out.

@diadu6

7 жыл бұрын

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@eagleontheweb

7 жыл бұрын

LaytonChronicles, Perhaps built with fear surplus and maintenanced by the empathy deficit?

@mrhumpty

7 жыл бұрын

Except saying that the few hundred people in CVille were "america" He knows statistics and knows that's a poor analogy.

Don't Forget To Be Accepting (of people of different races and non-harmful ideologies)

@deeyoyo1

7 жыл бұрын

Amber Shoffren I just litterally went over that comment out loud to see what would change in the abbreviation 😅

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7 жыл бұрын

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@luigibros.5527

7 жыл бұрын

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@arianahaghighi7416

7 жыл бұрын

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@MeshachMalley

7 жыл бұрын

Amber Shoffren +

Thanks for the video Hank. As a Muslim I find that political correctness is also hurting Muslim and non-Muslim relations. People should be able to criticize/debate specific aspects of any religion or practice of religion as long as it is an informed opinion and done with love and good intentions. This is how it was prior to 2010. I used to have a lot of white friends and we would laugh together and make jokes without anyone getting offended. Russell peters was very popular back then. Theses days the debate in the media is being constrained to two polarizing sides and nothing in between. Sometimes I think this is done on purpose to keep people on edge and distracted from real political blunders and agendas. Sometimes I think this is a result of a decreased interest in reading books as a result of the Facebook age and therefore a decrease in critical thinking skills.

I love honest and sincere talks about the problem of racism in this country. I would love if in the conversation we could include talks about other races as well. I realize that by and far it is worse against blacks. But as someone of mixed-Asian heritage I've experienced my fair share and seen far worse against those that are truly international. I've seen many of my Hispanic friends discriminated against and marginalized. And I've seen lots of well meaning white friends just not know how to handle someone who's "different." I don't want to detract from the message but I would love if there were videos addressing other forms of racism that frequently get overshadowed, forgotten, and dismissed.

@suckmyartauds

7 жыл бұрын

Mikey Kim +

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My mom's uncle worked in a school in Chicago when segregation was still a thing and on his first day they gave him a bat when he was on bus duty to break up "race fights"(as they put it)but was told only to hit the black kids. My uncle left the school soon after and became a farmer because to quote him "I'm done with people and there horribleness".

Great video, Hank! I just showed this to my high school students. We had an awesome discussion! Thank you for helping them continue learning empathy.

Random thought, does anyone else hate the word tolerance? Like I feel like tolerance conjures up an image of putting up with something annoying or something you don't like. We never say we tolerate eating our favourite foods, we say we tolerate eating things we don't like to make our mom feel like she's a good cook. "Tolerating" a group of people doesn't feel like acceptance to me. Idk, maybe I'm nitpicking but it's just a thought that's been circulating my mind recently.

@indeeruh

7 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I kind of agree with you...that makes a lot of sense. Maybe a better word would be embrace? We should embrace, not simply tolerate, other's differences.

@emilyboj

7 жыл бұрын

Taranjot P Saying I tolerate poc or lgbt+ people is problematic because it can imply that these people have something wrong with them. It's a more useful concept when talking about opinions; I tolerate my relatives views about what I should do with my life so that Christmas dinner doesn't turn into an argument. Tolerance has two connotations that are relatively harmless when applied to ideas, but can be very harmful when applied to people. The first is the obvious one; tolerance usually implies disapproval, and you're not thinking about people complexly enough if you're disapproving of them as a whole based on one aspect of them. The second, and even more troubling connotation is the idea of allowing or permitting something. People of colour don't need white people's permission to exist and queer people don't need straight and cis people's permission to exist. Anyways, this seems like a very long answer to be essentially agreeing with you. I hadn't really considered it before, so thanks!

@anyal4130

7 жыл бұрын

Taranjot P I hear you but I feel like tolerance is the first (very necessary) step towards something more, like say acceptance or embracing a group of people. Not everyone necessarily goes straight from having been brought up with racist tendencies all the way to full acceptance of a group of people (because like Hank said, that progress takes work and it takes time), so tolerance is like the middle step between those that you need to get to first? Anyway interesting thought, thanks for making me think!

@Johanna.EG.

7 жыл бұрын

I was at a diversity seminar-type program and the leader couldn't stand that word. He said something to the effect of, "You don't need to like people not like you, you just need to tolerate them? That doesn't cut it."

@Asha2820

7 жыл бұрын

Tolerance is a call to not act harmfully, even against those with whom you come into social conflict. I don't tolerate my friends; because I enjoy their company.

Virtue? Virtue... where are you?

Hank, this video is awesome. I am really proud of you for making it and really thankful there are people like you making things like this. I think for everyone it takes a lot of humility to talk about things that they are afraid to talk about because they don't want to say the wrong thing or look bad. Recently the feelings you expressed and the reason for those feelings have been chalked up to "politcal correctness" by many groups. I think that rhetoric about politcal correctness is people feeling the exact same thing you're feeling but responding with fear, with pride, and eventually hostility. Your response however was one of humility which lead to admitting your fears and eventually giving birth to listening and understanding. Which is why I said I am proud of you because humility, listening, and understand... those are hard... those are work.

Never forget that "race" is a social construct, invented to empower one group over another.

Like your mother, I was brought up in segregated Alabama. To be precise in Montgomery - as an Air Force brat. We lived in Montgomery from a bit before the boycott to just after the Freedom Riders. [My mother helped our maid during the boycott by driving her across town.] When we left, Montgomery was still under martial law because of the collaboration of the local police in the attack on the Freedom Riders. Our history classes taught us that slavery wasn't all that bad. My brother and sister went to Robert E Lee High School. A proud day of my life was when a black coworker was surprised when she found out I was brought up in Alabama. It is a daily struggle to avoid the scars. My parents did what they could to insulate us from the more rabid aspects of the people around us. But we were also not truly white in the eyes of our neighbors. As light-skinned Jews we could fit in until they discovered our "secret." Unlike a Catholic who attempted to come to our junior high, I was not attacked. [Catholics went nearly exclusively to Catholic schools for their own safety.] I have seen much progress in my 70+ years. And now I'm scared to see such regression. I thought we had moved beyond the open hatred to having to work on the more subtle forms of racism. I was apparently wrong. Thank you for sharing your mother's progress. I can only hope that all of us progress. I'm still working on my evolution.

@sydneymother

7 жыл бұрын

I am still working on my evolution too. Thanks for sharing your Alabama story

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@charliespinoza1966

7 жыл бұрын

Zeyev +

@alton7889

7 жыл бұрын

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Here's a novel idea - treat people based upon their actions - not their race, not their gender, not their ethnicity, and not their religion.

This is what makes nerdfighteria a great place to start this kind of conversations. I know about what happened in United States lately. I´m from Chile and I used to live in Austin back in 2009-2012 and it was great but... racism is everywhere, not only in United States, in everysingle part of the world. Here in Chile (South America) there is been a increse of migration (Haitian) to our country the past two years and chileans are not happy about it. Sadly there are people that are not tolerant or even respectful with ¨foreign people¨ and it is not only about the color of their skin. I am happy I am part of this community far away but I am always watching the news and these videos...and I am happy to be helpful in my community in my country, me and a group of volunteers we are teaching spanish to Haitians in my hometown and spend some time with them like humans... I´ve been learning creyol and learning how to be a better person and that´s what we have to be... a better community. Thank you Hank and John for creating this amazing community, we all share and learn to be better persons.

Being around the same age as you and John, your mother's story surprises me a little. But, thinking about it, that says more about my own experience than hers. When I was little, my sister and I went to daycare, as many children with two working parents do. The daycare was run by two women, one white and one black. I personally never gave thought to having a black teacher in school, because my first non-parental educator was a black woman. Also, my mom was a kindergarten teacher and had plenty of teacher friends/colleagues who were black. They were so much a part of my everyday experience.

On a related political topic, Please continue How to Vote In Every State for the Midterm Elections coming next year. Midterm elections are so important, and I would really love to see an increase in education about midterm elections!!!!

@suckmyartauds

7 жыл бұрын

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@whyme9467

7 жыл бұрын

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@sexmachine2520

7 жыл бұрын

I love lamp

I like what you said about the Nelson Manela quote; it feels more accurate. One of the things that you and John often say that I have brought into my own life and with my kids is trying to remember that we should not think of the world as "us versus them, but as We". I struggle everyday with this; right now with my conservative family members most, but I TRY to keep this in my mind and in my heart. Thank you.

@PalkaDots

7 жыл бұрын

Alissa Frederick The WE story includes all of us and really does introduce so much nuance instead of us vs them. It sounds more unifying.

I read a quote one time that said "What you think first is what you have been conditioned/taught to think, and what you think after is who you are." That its not what you think at first but how you react to those thoughts and the actions that you make that matter.

Thanks for the video Hank. Race is a hard topic to broach, and I appreciate your willingness to speak on it.

one of my favorite vlogbrothers videos in a long time...thank u hank

"If you can accomplish it in your lifetime it's too small a goal" I love that, I want it on a poster.

I wish this video would never end. These thoughts were perfect. Kudos to your mom for seeing something that made her uncomfortable and then being uncomfortable with her feelings towards that situation. I think what shocks people the most is that the conflict of race is still just that- a conflict. People will often see what they want to see regardless of the filters which distort their view. I wish people could just be kind. I wish people could just love each other for who they are instead of what we perceive them to be. It makes me sad and I feel helpless and I think that's the worst part: the people who recognize the situation for what it is cannot do a darn thing. We cannot control how others think and we cannot continue to allow people to think this way. We can't afford it. There's no easy fix. There's nothing we can do. And that is the worst part.

I don't think we necessarily need to overcome our innate tribalism, we just need to expand the definition of "our tribe" to include everyone.

That story about your mom really reminded me of Malcom Gladwell's podcast, Revisionist History. He has an episode examining what happened to black school teachers after Brown V. Board of Education. It's pretty devastating, but I would encourage everyone to give it a listen: revisionisthistory.com/episodes/13-miss-buchanans-period-of-adjustment

@_rrwwcox

7 жыл бұрын

Benjamin Johnson Wow, that was terrific and mind-expanding! Thank you so much for sharing, that has completely changed my understanding and perspective. (Also, I'm excited to check out the rest of the series)

@benjaminjohnson9432

7 жыл бұрын

Yeah it's a pretty great listen, thanks for taking the time to do so! The second season has quite a few episodes about stories from the Civil Rights movement; the first season examines how we fund colleges, rich and poor, and how that funding affects students. It's one of my favorites. :)

@ThisIsReMarkable

7 жыл бұрын

Agreed!! Revisionist History is a stellar podcast. Along with Invisibilia, these podcasts have bent my mind out of its own comfort. The things I learned while listening haven't let me go since. To me, what happened after Brown vs. Board of Ed. is a reminder that when white people try to solve overt racism, unconscious bias calls the shots. E.g.- When two schools are integrated, you try to keep the best teachers. Who's on the school board? White people. Who does the school board 'objectively' see as the best teachers? White people. Why? Because of learned biases like unconsciously thinking that white teachers are better educated or more able to demonstrate concepts to students. As Hank said, it's going to be a long journey to breaking down these barriers. The struggle is going to outlast us. But we have to strive for it and be good listeners.

@benjaminjohnson9432

7 жыл бұрын

Yeah, the episode really just made me think about the difference between granting individual freedoms (like integrating schools) and actually sharing power (hiring black school teachers). If you look at our history, even when we grant baseline freedoms (ending slavery, voting, etc), if the power structure behind those decision isn't shared, there is still going to be some kind of real backlash (JIim Crow, Confederate monuments, etc). The same is true to this day.

@guppy8073

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll use this for when I'm washing dishes later today. (Suddenly I'm excited to wash the dishes haha)

Years ago I (old white male) was instructing a leadership session (in Boy Scouts) about diversity with another facilitator (young black female). We had rehearsed the script, but we were both aware the script could be variable as long as we made all the appropriate points. As the session began we stayed pretty much on script till someone in the class (all white) made the comment that they weren't biased, to which I replied that I was very happy for them, since I was biased. My fellow presenter's jaw dropped and she stated I wasn't. I told her (in front of all) that of course I was, since I still saw color. Then I mentioned how proud I was of my son who was pretty much color blind. I think the point was made, since after the session my fellow instructor gave me a huge hug, and over the rest of the weekend others kept coming up to me saying how eye-opening it had been to be in our class. Race is hard, gender may be harder, but we are making progress in understanding that to be an American, you need to live by the prime principle that: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..." We keep growing, the world keeps growing, and maybe some day long after my son is dust, the American revolution will finally harvest it's full bounty. In the meantime, DFTBA.

I met your mother about a month ago in Lakeside on her way back from Glacier and I could tell she was a very candid, honest person and this solidifies that. It is so important people acknowledge those low moments rather than pretending a problem doesn't exist. Her being open about that makes me respect her even more. :)

NOTIFICATION SQUAD REPORTING IN!!!!!!!!!!

Better checkout no bullshit's channel on this video.

@crashstitches79

7 жыл бұрын

He nails it.

The wisest man I've ever known was my Grandfather. Born in 1898 to Sharecroppers in Mississippi & self-taught, he NEVER judged by skin color but by Character. He taught all us kids to do the same by using the analogy of Steel - how it is stronger than any of it's individual ingredients, & the USA is the same by being a "melting pot" of Races, Cultures, Religions, etc. His motto was "United we Stand" & mine has always been "Celebrate Diversity." We have SO much to learn from one another if we can only keep communicating peacefully. The Willfully Ignorant will kill us all. In the words of Rodney King: "Why can't we all just get along?"

Hank, I have to go to work now but I am really tearing up! Thank you for reminding me how far we still have to go in the way of human rights and just how recently it really was that things like segregation were still happening! It makes me think about how people of every generation will look back at past generations thinking 'I can't believe that was how people thought/ people thought that was ok!" We will never stop learning. DFTBA

Your mother's story shows that the excuse of "I was raised this way" doesn't mean that you can't change. Those who say "I was raised this way" are simply lazy and show that in X amount of years and countless social movements and increased amount of scholarly information, they have learned nothing. Those who do not adapt will not survive.

Just wondering what is the vision of the future? Is the end goal being able to confidantly say there is not a single racist person in America or something else? And if so what exactaly are you going to do to acomplish this (what appears to be) impossible goal?

@vlogbrothers

7 жыл бұрын

The future is very very long, so I don't know if there's ever a potential for a world without racism. Maybe. But I know that I definitely want to live in a world with /less/ racism, and more tolerance and more equality.

@icerhex

7 жыл бұрын

vlogbrothers why is equality good?

@calebr7199

7 жыл бұрын

icerhex Because inequality is bad. No one wants inequality for themselves.

@icerhex

7 жыл бұрын

Orange Boy I'm wondering why we treat equality in particular as a self evident good with no actual justification. Note i am not commenting on compassion, respect or charity, but equality.

@chrisli7358

7 жыл бұрын

Equality in respect. Homogeneity is something racists ask when demanding something like an all-white society. People are only asking for equality in the dignity and compassion we receive from each other, as we are all human beings. If you are black with a Nigerian culture, or Chinese who wants to celebrate Chinese New Year, or a German who wants to celebrate beer, we all deserve to get the respect we deserve. Doesn't mean an obligated desire to show respect to EVERYTHING or EVERYONE (we can have preferences) but to systematically exclude those who are different for the sake of homogeneity is bad. The justification to why we treat equality as self evident is because it's literally in our declaration of independence: all men are created equal. We are a people's government that's by the people and for the people. And it is our job to see it that way.

Very thoughtful. I've actually been thinking about race a lot lately. I've been watching lots of stand-up comedy in the last couple months. I've noticed that the majority of African American male comedians talk about race at some point. In different ways, and about different things, but they always seem to cover at least one 'common' stereotype. And I think to myself, 'by continuing to talk about these stereotypes, especially in a medium where the goal is to get laugh out of it, aren't we just desensitizing ourselves to it?' Not just for the black community, but for others too. If Caucasians , Asians, Hispanics etc. see black people talking about and laughing about, for instance, black men not being around for their kids (the stereotype), it just makes it that much easier for everyone to shrug it off when it's seen in the real world. I do think it's important to talk about race, but in a way demonstrated here by Hank and his mother, and less so the endless hashing out of bad stereotypes.

Although I've never faced racial discrimination before, but as an Asian male I have often faced stereotypes online, and have often been hurt by those stereotypes because it puts millions of different humans, each one of us special, in a single box. I understand that this is nothing compared to what Black people, especially women and LGBTQs get every day, but I think I can understand now that I've been facing a smaller extent of that same thing too. I really wish everyone would realize that people are people, no matter what their race is. Good video, Hank.

This is a good place to say this I think... I realised last week that I don't follow any non-white KZreadrs. Yet I am vehemently anti racist in every facet of my life. I asked myself "why" no non-white KZreadrs and actually, I haven't been able to answer yet.

@suckmyartauds

7 жыл бұрын

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@Hannah-ologist

7 жыл бұрын

I don't know if this is the "right place" to like, reccommend anyone, but Akilah Hughes (Akilah Obviously) is a fantastically funny and thoughtful KZreadr!

@raylawlor4887

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Hannah.

@vlogbrothers

7 жыл бұрын

Some of my favorite KZreadrs of color: Spicyeve Hartbeat itsradishtime Swoozie Jaidenanimations AkilahObviously Nathan Zed

@raylawlor4887

7 жыл бұрын

I've thought about it a lot over the past few days. I think it points to the unconscious racism that exists. It's the type of racism that those effected can see easily, but those who display it find so difficult to recognise and deal with.

Have you ever considered that this harmonious racial diversity which you strive for will never succeed for the very reasons you stated in this video?

You make wonderful points as always Hank! I think its good to discuss any controversial topic, as it dispels ignorance and allows more clarity on the topic in general. Nothing so obvious in this world should be a feared or uncomfortable topic in my opinion, its an everyday issue and thus should be discussed to an extent. Btw I while this of course wasn't what I was focusing on during the video, (However I do have a horrible attention span so I do look) I wanted to say I love your Narnia map! The Magicians Nephew was the book that got me into my love of reading at 4, so anything that has to do with Chronicles of Narnia catches my interest. I've always wanted to point that out, sorry its so off topic.

Weirdly, I've never thought about this before. But I grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis and went to school in the 90s/00s and I've never had a non-white teacher. It's not something that has ever been on my radar but now that it is, I wonder if my life would be different if I had more diverse teachers when I was growing up.

Even as a black person I always found it hard to talk about race cause I grew up in the suburbs and especially in high school I would talk about race subjects and I would get shut up by my white peers who were either secretly racist or Just didn't want to acknowledge race (I'm more open to talking race now since I go to a HBCU However) I thought this video was really thoughtful. I was thinking when you or John was going to address Charlottesville and kinda feared what the outcome would be subconsciously but you did a great job.

@vlogbrothers

7 жыл бұрын

There are a lot of "If we would stop talking about race it would go away" comments from white people on this video. And, as a white person, I am aware that it would go away if we didn't talk about it...for me. I wouldn't acknowledge my bias, and no one around me would, and we would forget that it's there except when it popped up as a joke or a fear in private conversations between people who have the same biases. I could get on with my life and not have to worry because, for me, the effects of racism are invisible and, for the most part, helpful. It makes a lot of sense that white people want to sweep it under the rug, but it's remarkable watching people say that they want to do that not for themselves, but because it's somehow the solution to racism.

@indeeruh

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for using your privilege to be a real ally and address the unconscious biases present in Nerdfighteria. I love this community, but I definitely have noticed a tendency to put blinders on when the topic turns to race and rely on the "I don't see race" argument. But that perspective assumes that racism is something that only happens at the individual level, and can be eradicated by simply not being a white nationalist. Unfortunately, these issue are systemic and run A LOT deeper/wider than that. By design, they require a much higher level of engagement to heal. Not to mention that we all (INCLUDING POC) carry implicit biases anyways that affect how we act/think towards those we view as "other." So ignoring race simply can not, and will never, be enough.

@syrahgrimm83

7 жыл бұрын

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@syrahgrimm83

7 жыл бұрын

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@41-Haiku

7 жыл бұрын

I'm one of those people who agrees with Morgan Freeman. "Stop talking about it" doesn't mean that we should make race a forbidden subject, but that it should not be at the forefront of our thoughts. That's just as counter-productive and destructive, as we have seen. The self-flagellation of "I'm a racist for being white and I'm sorry" has to be replaced with a genuine desire to judge everyone you meet based upon the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. Diversity is good. Shaming is bad.

First! I'd like to thank my mother, father, God and the sheer luck of my opening this app at the correct time. I always thought the shouting first! In the comment section was dumb, but now I see, when the opportunity arises, I just cant help myself. Thank you Mr. Green and for all the others who will no doubtably yell first! As well. God Bless you all.

@vlogbrothers

7 жыл бұрын

Congratulations!

@pokechatter

7 жыл бұрын

I aint no Sidekick I've also never opened a videos this early. It's certainly an experience.

@tomlindemuth9571

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mr... (Music starts to play)

@luigibros.5527

7 жыл бұрын

+

@wingsonthebus

7 жыл бұрын

I aint no Sidekick +

Thank you Hank for openly discussing your views on this sensitive subject. I started school in the rural south right after the schools were desegregated and in the third grade had a black teacher. A lot of people were bothered by her and another black teacher being there and parents were challenged if they were going to protest since there was only one class per grade and couldn't be transferred. My mother was one of the parents that stood up for he teacher and openly encouraged others to give the teachers a chance. Mrs. Smith knew what she was facing and always maintained a professional demeanor while showing empathy for children who were not always aware of their bias or only too aware of it. Loooking back I can't imagine facing a classroom of 25 kids and their parents in that situation. She was the person who recognized I had difficulty with math and taught me tricks to overcome them. I think her on occasion and I am always reminded of hers and other black people who have shown me kindness in my life. A thank you goes to all of them for teaching me to be a better person academically and socially and thank you to Mrs. Green for being willing to step out of your comfort zone then and now.

I'm from Birmingham Alabama and I've grow up here my whole life and I still live in Birmingham and I love my city it's beautiful. I'm not proud of our city's past we have tried to right our wrongs by creating museums for the people that died because of the racism and we have built signs all around of the city commemorating leaders of the civil rights movement and important men and women in the civil rights movement. While we can't erase the past we can help shape the future by doing our part to love everybody no matter who they are. Also Hank and John, please come to Birmingham on your tour for Turtles All the Way Down, we get overlooked a lot on tours and such because of Atlanta and Nashville are much more appealing. But since some of your family (including John) are from Birmingham it would be awesome if you could come on your tour!

I think wanting to live in a world where we don't think about race is kind of like wanting to put people on Mars. We could get there but with lots of hard work. We can't skip that work and just be there, and thinking we can or pretending we're there already won't get us there. I don't think we'll get to either before 2028.

@indeeruh

7 жыл бұрын

@RememberTheTrees

7 жыл бұрын

You filled the truth with easter eggs, and I appreciate that.

I thought the point was to not see race. As a "person of color" I want people not to give a fuck about my skin color. I understand talking about discussing racist view and pointing out how they're unfounded in reality. I hope that's what you mean. My skin color does not make me or a group of people more diverse, our individual experience does.

@PalkaDots

7 жыл бұрын

Mordecai Epsilon Yeah, the problem begins when people tie skin color to certain character.

@indeeruh

7 жыл бұрын

As a fellow POC, I understand the desire to be seen as "just another person." However, for me at least, I find it empowering for people to recognize and celebrate the ways that my race makes me different. I come from a different culture, one that is beautiful and interesting and at time problematic. Instead of ignoring it, let's talk about and learn from one another.

@Nazioarteko89

7 жыл бұрын

Mordecai Epsilon I notice color and I also notice eye color... I notice things that are different from mine because I am less used to it. That is OK. What is not OK is to project judgement based on whatever is noticeably different about someone.

@Nazioarteko89

7 жыл бұрын

Indira M yes!

@bjorntheviking6039

7 жыл бұрын

+Indira M Why do you find it empowering for people to recognize and celebrate the way your race makes you different? Are you talking about race more in the sense of ethnicity (Thai, Somali, Swedish, etc.) or in the more general sense of white & black? I've talked with white nationalists (don't lynch me I'm not one myself - I'm just curious and have a high tolerance for stupidity) and I actually find a similar sort of sentiment: A lot of them think white people are unique by virtue of being white and want that uniqueness to be preserved through segregation, anti-miscegenation laws and eventually an ethno-state. I'm talking about white nationalists here, they are not necessarily supremacists, just genetic determinists (still really dumb, but not as bad as the neo-nazis - even I can't talk to those guys). I'm not saying that you're like those people at all, but (if I'm understanding you correctly, that is) that line of thinking can be taken too far and is used to justify & support atrocious violations of personal liberties. I don't have a problem with people taking a certain amount of pride in their heritage (I do it myself occasionally), so long as everyone is aware that it doesn't make sense to be proud of something you didn't work for and that it can never exceed the fact that they are a human being same as everyone else. I try to never let my race define me in any significant way (though I can't control what other people use to define me which makes this difficult, especially concerning current events). More so I look to my personal accomplishments and skills for a sense of self rather than inert parts of me that I didn't work for.

My dad talks about his life growing up in the 60's & 70's in Halifax, Nova Scotia ( where we both still live now ) in relation to race all the time. He was raised by racists, he was a racist and everyone he knew was racist. But he grew, he learned, he had an aunt to smack him upside the head. It's important to me that people know they can change. That if you have doubts about your position on race or your involvement with certain groups you can follow that doubt, have a conversation with a black person or sympathetic white person and move on to be a better person.

Thank you so much for explaining this! It really bothers me when people say "we are all one human race. Why do we always have to bring up race?". We bring up race because racism is a problem. Not acknowledging the problems racism creates does not make it go away. Like you said, some people have the privilege to ignore racism because it fortunately doesn't impact them directly. In short: everyone needs to check their privileges. Personally, I may not be white or male, but I have a lot of privileges as well. I am heterosexual, financially comfortable, highly educated, and live in a low-crime area. It is important that I understand these privileges offer me protection and security that others do not have. We have to remind ourselves that our little bubble of the world does not reflect the struggles or perspectives of everyone else outside of it.

:O good on your mom admitting her shortcomings. we all have thoughts we arent proud of.

Me: *studying hard 24/7 bc of my medicine school and saying I have no time* Also me: *new vlogbrothers post notification* *drops all the books and opens KZread* IM HERE

@baller3026

7 жыл бұрын

Rebeca Martins I hope you succeed The struggle is real

@rebecamartins706

7 жыл бұрын

Mozlem thanks ❤️💪🏻

@SoftyM20

7 жыл бұрын

Como eu te entendo!

@esmereldagonzales9613

7 жыл бұрын

I'm starting medical school in September. Just got my results yesterday!!!!

@sexyscientist

7 жыл бұрын

Nothing can top my vlogbrothers love. (I have been in your position, Rebeca).

Thank you for talking about this and opening the subject. I was discussing this with my friend and disagreed on a few things (and I bet there will be more people that disagree). Nonetheless, I was saying that I understand those people who are "ignorant". No one is born knowing everything. The things we know, specifically cultural and religious beliefs, are taught to us when we are too young to even understand what it means truly means. If someone is taught to believe something all their lives, it's HARD to disregard it. I understand that, which is why people should stop dissing others for their prejudices and try to help them get out of that state of "ignorance". Enlighten them and hopefully, like Hank's mother, they can grow from it and realize they were wrong; and hopefully like Hanks mom, try to help others too. It sucks that there are still large groups that have such a strong bias, but if we keep talking about it, like Hank, we can grow as a society. It has happened, it just needs to happen more.

I wrote this as a response to someone already but I feel it is needed as a comment as well: People are only asking for equality in the dignity and compassion we receive from each other, as we are all human beings. If you are black with a Nigerian culture, or Chinese who wants to celebrate Chinese New Year, or a German who wants to celebrate beer, we all deserve to get the respect we deserve. Doesn't mean an obligated desire to show respect to EVERYTHING or EVERYONE (we can have preferences) but to systematically exclude those who are different for the sake of homogeneity is inhumane and goes against our very core principles as a nation. The justification to why we treat equality as self evident is because it's literally in our declaration of independence: all men are created equal. We are a people's government that's by the people and for the people. And it is our job to see it that way.

Saying you can't comment on race and racism because of your race...... isnt that kindof.... racist????

It affects people's lives because you don't shut up about it. It is only going to stop affecting their lives when you can look at another person of a different race and judge them for who they are, not what colour their skin is. It is boring, it is the least important thing about any man or woman. I have no idea why people think this is progress by never shutting up about it. This video is terrible.

@izzya8132

7 жыл бұрын

Have you not seen Charlottesville like a couple of days ago? This video was not made in a vacuum, it was made as a response to a societal trend that clearly exists. Yes, most people like you and I are reasonable, and know not to judge others based on the color of their skin, but clearly that is not the case with everyone, and that's why it's a problem.

@PunksterOS

7 жыл бұрын

Yes, and it exists due to such nonsense like this renewed focus on race. You have one group of people banging on for the last few years, calling white people devils, racists, privileged and all manner of immature shit. What do you think that group of people are going to do when they keep getting demonised when their issues are not being listened to? The rise of the right-wing lunatics and racists seeing an opportunity and ceasing it. The right-wing has a right to be heard and they were counter-protested against by the Far Left on an event they themselves organised. Who are we to say their issues aren't valid? One incident does not equal a trend. No one likes racists... NO ONE! We give them power by fearing them and what they have to say, let them talk and we talk back at them in turn, explaining why they are wrong as best as we can. Calling them names like Nazis and KKK gives them the power they crave when they have already been shunned by society. I mean we have precedent for this, now it is just history repeating and it appears no one has learned a damned thing.

@izzya8132

7 жыл бұрын

You seem to think that your particular view (i.e. not talking about it makes it goes away) is an objective fact, when in reality it's nothing than your own guess. Hank simply disagrees with you, he believes that it will not go away if you leave it alone. One incident doesn't equal a trend, and that's why it's a good thing that it's not one incident, it's simply an example I gave. It's also not an "incident", it's proof of the existence of a group of people in America, a group that you claim doesn't exist in your very comment, so I'm not entirely sure if you understood why I brought it up as an example. Everyone has a right to be heard, even extremely stupid people, I'm not denying that, so I'm not sure why you brought it up.

@izzya8132

7 жыл бұрын

It doesn't work that way, iGBk, you don't get to just make an unsubstantiated argument and then expect it to become right when you compare it with a true fact with your rain example. You still have given me nothing to believe that it's true. I've been alive during that time, and I've seen all kinds of people doing all kinds of things, but I looked at them with a critical eye, the kind of critical eye that isn't impressionable to a video by a guy who uses middle school tier logic and considers sissy to be the highest form of insult. A quality that evidently this whole new batch of people that came here to voice their opinions doesn't have. I'm not seeing race, gender, and sexuality getting worse, I'm seeing everything getting better. As an example, gay marriage is legal specifically because people talked about sexuality and how it's okay to be different. I believe that talking about issues is better, and I don't believe Hank's view is polarizing or tribalistic, because he is specifically arguing against such things. I would recommend for you to understand that the world doesn't exist inside your bubble, and the issues discussed by particular YTers you watch are not as significant as you believe them to be, especially not significant enough to cause the social change you're implying they do.

@PunksterOS

7 жыл бұрын

Doc Apollo Lol. What? I never said that not talking about it will make it go away. I'm saying talking about doesn't help matters, it makes thing worse, so don't do it. It is not just my own guess, it is based on what I know of the world and the people living on it. A commonly shared view that I share with many people, which worked quite well up until now. We are always talking about it, when it should be irrelevant, by this point and we know that it will do no one, any good. It is really quite simple. None of us can control our skin colour, so why constantly talk about it? You are the one that brought up Charlottesville, that was the one incident, the first major incident in what, decades? Where are all these other events that you can call them trends? The only trend I am seeing is Anti Fa destroying property, violently assaulting people for the last few years and barely a mention of their misdeeds in the news but when they are mentioned they are described as mere protesters. NO! They are not. Then we get one event by the Far Right Wing, an event that they themselves organised, legally and now the media is in a frenzy about them and only them. When did I claim they don't exist? The very first line in my last response was saying that they DO EXIST. You are pulling shit out of your ass, mate. I never said any such thing. I brought up their right to be heard, "Even extremely stupid people," Because it was the violation of that right, that lead to the violence taking place in Charlottesville. They should have been allowed to voice their concerns, without any backlash but they didn't get to do that. It is proof of TWO GROUPS, not one. One group being labeled as Nazis (giving them the label they want) and another who are wannabe Communists, (not getting the label they want) both are disgusting and both need to go away. One group has been active for years, protesting, using political violence and silencing anybody even slightly right of them (which is the vast majority of the world including Liberals) and another group who decided to get together last weekend and until then, they were laughable nobodies, still are for the most part, except for the power we now give to them by saying WE FEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY! Don't believe me, google it, go watch their videos, if they are not taken down yet, see the crap they are saying for yourself. They are loving this attention, we are giving them what they craved, widespread publicity. This sort of shit is fueling the fire, not putting it out. So what's the solution... Talk about race again? Great... but ultimately worthless. That is what the Far Left needed, a boogeyman to fight, well, now they have got it. A few hundred people are a problem? Really? No, not quite, sorry but they are not worthy of our concern. Keep this shit up though and there will be more, guaranteed. That's what most of the crazy left want though, somebody to fight. After all, a noble hero needs a villain, right or they cease to be the heroes?

To see the progress we made is on the one hand terrible, because we see, how terrible the past was. But on the other hand, it gives us hope. The hope, that today's Trubels are for future generations just as unthinkable as yesterday's problems are today. Being progressive means first and foremost, that believeing a better future is possible and being optimistic that we will create it. Optimism will carry us through the darkest lows and fuel change to a better life.

I grew up in very integrated communities and because I lived in this community I didn't understand racism until college. Unfortunately, I came to understand it because I knew people trying to end racism and people (of color) trying to deepen racism and segregation to use it to their advantage. Which thus gave me very mixed feelings.

The whole focus on "race" misses out the significant overlap with "class". "Black" often means "black working class" and does get attention. "White working class" gets little or no attention. (And this is a youtube comment so the picture is more complex than that, but "class" is a big issue and almost never discussed in American politics.)

@vlogbrothers

7 жыл бұрын

I agree that we often gloss over class, but it's undeniable that racism has kept more black people in the working class. These things are tightly linked. I think we talk about class mostly through the lens of income and wealth inequality...which is something I'm much more comfortable talking about and we've done it a lot on this channel.

@guest_informant

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the considered reply. All I would say is that when I watched _Boyz N The Hood_ when it came out that could have been about my childhood - and I'm not black :-)

@guest_informant

7 жыл бұрын

Another example: I just watched a Ben S Hates Milo Y video :-) Ben is sharp obviously, but wrong a lot of the time - still worth listening to as he articulates arguments well. Anyway...Ben said: _We don't send black people to prison disproportionately we send black people to prison in exactly the proportion they commit crime_ My point is this argument uses a very narrow definition of crime ie _street_ crime not _white collar_ crime and that's why the statement can rightly be considered racist. It omits context. But when I hear that statement I think it could equally well say: _We don't send _*_white working class people_*_ to prison disproportionately we send _*_white working class people_*_ to prison in exactly the proportion that they commit crime_ Black and White Working Class have to deal with "Class War". Blacks have to deal with racism as well. Racism is on the agenda. "Class War" is not. _Hillbilly Elegy_ is (of course) a great example of this.

@Nazioarteko89

7 жыл бұрын

Guest Informant yes!!!!! America lacks more conversations about class!!! It would actually unite the country so much more than talking about identity politics in isolation.

@41-Haiku

7 жыл бұрын

This is America. You can change your class by working hard. I'm really poor right now. I don't plan to stay that way, and I don't let anyone who claims to speak on my behalf get away with it. Change your class, don't whine about it, and don't make it worse for the rest of us. And if you want to discuss what has kept more black people in the working class or in poverty, it is perfectly reasonable to examine certain progressive policies that have unintentionally disrupted the family unit in inner cities, which has led to economic failure and disparity. Single parenthood is the single best predictor of poverty. Racist white people don't force black men leave their wives. Individual responsibility is the only thing that can help *any of us* , and if there are policies which disincentivize that, they need to go. I want to see *everyone* succeed, especially those who have been dealt a really bad hand. What we're doing right now isn't working.

Dab on em haters Jokes aside, I'm not a person from a marginalized community but I also am not white. So I don't understand half the discussions about racism in the world. But I think the bigger problem is the overall lack of discussion about racism because it's a very troublesome and complex problem with no singular, monolithic solution, but we do need to talk about racism so that we can get to the complicated problems solving part. Without acknowledgement that there's a problem I don't think we can do anything. And as long as we spend our years wondering if Nazis are good or bad or just an expression of freedom of speech, we will not get anywhere constructive. Thanks for the video Hank

@vampyricon7026

7 жыл бұрын

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@roguegreyjedi

7 жыл бұрын

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@queenofgames314

7 жыл бұрын

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@veloxlupus303

7 жыл бұрын

I agree, we need more discussion. Up for a debate?

I just.. I cry every time I see my little town on the news or hear youtubers I love and follow talk about it. I love that you said this IS our America because it is... but we can be better. I have to hold hope for my daughter and future children that it will get better.

Hearing the word tribalism is honestly the most clear concise way to explain why people gravitate toward people like themselves. As someone stretched between two "tribes" as a multiracial millennial, I believe our generation is struggling with the conversation about race because we've been taught it's rude as you said. I think focusing the conversation on uniting the tribe, as you said, to work as a more productive society is way better for humanity than focusing constantly on the separations that people are hyperfixed on. I was also talking about the the idea of praising the white people I know post-Charlottesville is the discomfort I'm feeling. I feel like you're right in saying that it's not your job to be conscious of what's going on rather than looking for validation that "yes I am doing the right white guy thing". Great video, no seeking of praise, just thoughts. ❤️ dftba

Being a young white female in a reasonably well off background, I know I am in an extremely privileged position. Yes, there are times I have had some sly comment about my gender or sexuality which weren’t overly positive, but to me this seems like nothing in comparison to the oppression others have to face. I know my “overly-white” town in the centre of England has made my position in society comfortable as I always knew I would fit in somehow. You immediately see when someone is different here. But we try our best to make sure they don’t feel different. We know nobody should be excluded because of things they have no control over such as race or sex. Hank’s mother’s story is one of many brave souls who simply did not understand at the time, but who has despite this to become educated and understand the meaning of equality, and to raise two amazing men who equally share the values of kindness and love. And to me that’s what this is all about: sharing kindness and love. Looking over the recent events happening in many places, but particularly America, it makes me saddened to think people are that ignorant to believe the colour of someone’s skin has anything to do with their value as a person. Politics has taken a U-turn in the movement for equality and I know there are thousands of people out there who know what needs to be done to enlighten these people. I’m lucky enough to know my voice is likely to be heard without me having to shout. People will listen to me and maybe even think about what I say because they would look at me and see the “perfect little educated white woman” of the future. I’m trying my hardest to do what is right. We all need to unite in order to educate the world about equality and morality. A person’s skin may be black or white or somewhere in between, the same way your car may be blue or red. It really doesn’t matter what colour it is on the outside, it’s what’s inside which affects the overall performance and value. So, if there’s anyone out there who feels marginalised by the recent events in the news or in general for whatever reason, please know that you are not alone. You will never be alone. There are always people wanting to help you and seeking to make the world a better place for you and everyone else in it. There is no need for violence, War is not the answer. Education for all is only the starting place for change. Spread the love, not hate. (Also if anyone knows of any charities/organisations working towards spreading love throughout the nations please let me know. I would love to become more involved in this fight against bigotry. And also if anyone ever feels like they need someone to talk to, I’m a stranger who is happy to help in any way I can. Thank you)

The hardest thing for me to get the racist people in my life to acknowledge is that NOT having to talk about race is a privilege. So thanks for saying that here, too.

"If it's gonna be done before you die, it's too small a goal." I think that can apply to a lot of things, and is a valiant thing to strive for.

I've been thinking these same things. Especially, why can't we have these conversations? I don't like racism, and we all thought this was going to be over with after the civil rights movement. The truth of the matter is, it's not. Unfortunately there's still people that dislike and oppress people of different skin tones. I love what Martin Luther King Jr said 'Judge me by the content of my character not by the color of my skin.' And I'm saying this with thoughts of everyone. I've met people with darker skin oppressing people with lighter skin, not just the other way around. It's all around us and people avoid talking about it. In fact, talking about it usually results in that person being disliked. I like what Hank is doing here. He's changing the conversation. Thank you Hank.

Hank is always just so true and pure. Logical, eventually precise but its all logics, a little feels here and there but always true and I think that's what matters. Hank you're a wonderful human being. Just look at you making an impact on this world. Thank you so much! Love you Mr. Hank!

@vlogbrothers

7 жыл бұрын

That is very nice to read.

@meleika8274

7 жыл бұрын

vlogbrothers I hope you believe it 😊

The reason I try really hard not to notice race is because I am trying really hard not to make any kind of judgement of a person by their race. I want to make judgements of people based on their character, not the color of their skin/sexual orientation/ gender/what ever else is out of a person's control.

@vlogbrothers

7 жыл бұрын

I hear that, but in America, race exists. And I think ignoring it doesn't ultimately do what we want it to do. My Black friends want and need me to be aware of their race, and how it changes their world.

@IWantASnack

7 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU! The 'I'm colorblind' sentiment always makes me sad. A friend of mine said "Can't we just love each other and not see color?" My response was, why can't we do both? As a black female, I see you! I see your beautiful skin, your heritage, your culture and I always want to know about person and celebrate their background! It's interesting and a part of them that has shaped them into who they are today. So why as someone who is black do I have to constantly be denied of that? Sure you can love me but please see me too. I am black. It's just that I'm more than being just black.

@OddNiffer

7 жыл бұрын

I'm like Zach, I try to judge people based on their actions and character. I don't think that's a bad thing. I think it's important to be aware of racism but to consciously not bring it up unless the discussion is about race. I think we're all hyperly aware of race right now, especially in America and I think constantly pointing out someone or a group because of the colour of their skin blocks those people from possible conversation. I grew up in the UK and moved to the US and the issue of race here is so much bigger than the UK I think because we didn't have segregation in the 50s and 60s and before. So it's been a shock to become so hyperly aware of my own race and the race of people around me. But often what some people say is one colour I don't see because skin colour is a spectrum and not boxed, which is why I try to judge them on their actions. Are they open to conversation? Or do they label me and call me names and judge me or others based on skin colour? (I'm just rambling but that's my thoughts)

@jamestrotman3238

7 жыл бұрын

vlogbrothers what do you guys think would be an effective way to do this? For me living in Ireland, ive many friends from all over, black, asian, indian, polish and other eastern europeans. Among us we find it ok to be like" hey this is my friend Chris, hes black". To us using the terms Black, Asian or describing race doesnt bring up anything negative because we know theres no hate behind it.

@sparksza1

7 жыл бұрын

vlogbrothers I hear that, and I understand that. Generally speaking understanding destroys ignorance. The thing I have a hard time with is as an anglo saxon I find that it's a very hard to show pride in my own race without coming across as a racist. I love learning about other cultures, religions, other ways of seeing the world, but often times that insecurity of well, success of my British heritage in expanding it's territory. My thoughts are probably coming out in a way that makes sense, I normally don't think about this sort of thing.

As once cgp grey said, "If you want to always be right, you need to always be prepared to change your mind.".... And yes i too believe that change is very hard, but is very necessary if u need to go forward in life....

Vlogbrothers videos are always important and interesting and it makes me feel good to hear people talking about this issues. Thanks Hank!

Hey hank! Dftba😁

Tick Tock, libtards, I'm still waiting for the intrepid soul with the irrefutable evidence of how society or WHOMEVER is oppressing blacks in America, just ONE shred of evidence. As much shit as these meatheads talk, no one has EVER been able to give me a factual response. I love it!

Love this! I will use it today in my history class! We have been discussing this topic a lot due to current events. Thanks Hank!

This is really important because as a white person I recognize that there are many ways I'm biased. Intellectually I know that everyone is equal, etc. But on an emotional level I've realized I have a lot of predjudice. The more we talk about this the more we're about to recognize those racist thoughts, and it's only by recognizing them that we can overcome them.

Wow, this was so smart, nerdy and progressive. I'm so glad we white people have such a great roll model to learn from....

@williammontpirg4080

7 жыл бұрын

It was!

1600 dislikes - wow almost 10% . Trump supporters trolling on this channel...shame.

It's absolutely true that no human is born hating another human because of their race. However, children (especially children with light skin) need to be actively taught that people having darker skin doesn't mean they're "dirty". Living in Denmark, I remember, when I was 4 or 5 years old, playing with another boy who was brown-skinned (I don't remember of what descent he was). At this point I don't think I'd been this close to a non-white person before (there were very few in town and in my kindergarten). When he went on to grab one of my toys I became upset because I thought he would make my toys dirty. My mum was pretty shocked that I reacted in this way and had to explain thoroughly that the dark colour wasn't dirt, but in fact pigment below the skin surface (I don't think she knew the word "melanin"). This is just to say that because some white children are not taught about difference in skin tone, children of colour may experience unfortunate incidents such as this one. I still feel a little embarrassed whenever I recall it.

I want to thank you so much for talking about this. As a person of colour and a long term subscriber it means the world to me. I hope we can keep talking about racism, including how we affirm it even through media like KZread. I think it is so important to remember that it is not only the overt acts of racism that are toxic but also the silence and unwillingness to speak about it in continuous and constructive ways. It is about who we hire, who's voices we elevate, who we collaborate with, and who is left out of the picture. I hope that you and John will use this platform to highlight and elevate the voices of marginalized people through this channel and your businesses and will continue to have these important conversations. We are relying on leaders like you to use your voices and your influence to empower good work that is already being done.

What a beta boy.

Guys, Hank has been thinking

@dovahkiin9413

7 жыл бұрын

oh yes... that's impressive, cause it requires a brain to that usually

I love the way you talk about this. It is truly inspiring to know that there are still people like you that really care about everything important in the world, and it just makes me very happy. Please don't forget to stay awesome!!!

And thank you for speaking out... outside of your typical science-y type content. Your voice is huge and it's powerful. You're giving power to those who have none, when you speak out.

this video needs more dislikes

black people can be racist too tho

One of the hardest things about being a Southerner is looking at the past. Looking directly at the atrocities we as a society have allowed to happen is unthinkable. I grew up in Richmond; it is only an hour away from Charlottesville, and I remember hearing the news and just being sickened. These people do not represent us. They represent the past of America, what we are fighting against internally and externally. Some of my best friends are from Charlottesville, and they were sickened to see what became of such a wonderful city. It's not the racism capital like the media is portraying it: it's a college town. It's filled with bars, with small businesses, with eclectic restaurants. It's a place you want to raise your family, not a Nazi staple. I say this as someone who has grown up listening to rhetoric that makes my skin crawl. The older generations of America have witnessed a lot of rapid change in their country, and sometimes the backlash is far worse than anyone could imagine. I love this country, but damn we need to improve ourselves.

"If it's gonna be done before you die, it's too small a goal." Love this! Is this attributable to someone else, or is this an original Hank Green. I wanna talk more about that!

I got an idea. Stop integrating the colour of your skin with your personality. You are black, great, but what does that tell me about YOU? Nothing. Same goes for any other race. It is a meaningless genetic variation that people with no personality get focussed in on because humans have a tendancy to need to be part of the group and instead of finding something that interests them people go for the easy option. Oh I'm this colour so I belong to this group. You are equally as racist as the so called racists just maybe not as violent.

@izzya8132

7 жыл бұрын

Are you saying that the black experience in the US is the same exact thing as the white experience? Literally nothing that molded his personality could've happened to him based on his race? Nothing?

Stop talking about race. That is what causes more racism.

I just read an excellent YA book that deals with racial issues: Bright Lights, Dark Nights by Stephen Emond. It's about Walter, who is white, and Naomi, who is black. They fall in love at the same time Walter's dad, a cop, gets wrapped up in a racial profiling scandal. I would highly recommend it to teenagers trying to have a better understanding of racial issues and/or looking for a good book.

I always think of the table example. Everyone wants a place at the table and those already in the table fear they might lose their spot.

1:08 That would be the soft bigotry of low expectations. People are people, just because someone has black skin doesn't mean you have to tip toe around them and assume they're going to get offended at the slightest perceived transgression. Race relations are not going to get better if you keep perpetuating this idiotic notion that white people aren't allowed to share their opinions about it. Being black doesn't give you extra rights to talk about race, it doesn't give you more leeway to say controversial things. That kind of thinking is the definition of racism. We're all equal and we all have the right to share our opinions. So stop being so meek about it.

@Emmy7Mint

7 жыл бұрын

NotTheStatusQuo him posting this video shows he is not being meek about talking about race & he is advocating for talking about race, so ... rewatch the video?

What does that mean "reading more diverse books"? i keep hearing that but it sounds so meaningless, so empty. You're going to read books just because they have a gay or trans character in them? That's quite sad. I read books for their story/premise. Anything else comes later. Same goes for diversity of authors. I read first and then I notice the authors. I don't go for specific authors on purpose. Whether the authors of the books I read are diverse or not is unknown to me and of no particular relevance. I read the book, not the author.

@vlogbrothers

7 жыл бұрын

It means reading books that come form perspectives that are not familiar. Like, I find myself drawn to adventure novels featuring white male protagonists. That lets me put myself into the story. And I'm not going to stop reading Bosch novels or anything, but I also want to take a chance to see the world from a different perspective, which I think is often ultimately more rewarding. It's like the difference between candy and dinner. I want to have a snack every now and again, but I also want a meal.

@untappedinkwell

7 жыл бұрын

How you select books is totally cool--and Hank's desire to read more diverse books is also totally cool. Hank is a straight, white, cis dude. He doesn't know much (from personal experience) about what the life of someone who is not straight, or white, or cis, or a dude (or any combination of those things). While it's true that Hank, specifically, has access to a number of people in his life who are not those things and can talk about their experiences--that's not always the case for readers. So if you want to expand your idea of how someone else experiences the world, but you don't want to make your group of friends be the sole teachers of that (after all, they are all individuals, and cannot speak for an entire race/identity/gender/orientation) or maybe you are Not Hank and do not have people in your life to consult--then books are one of the fastest and easiest ways to get a perspective different from your own that helps you better understand the world. Reading is tied very closely to developing empathy specifically because we form connections with what we read. It's a chance to better understand, to feel the journey of someone who is not like us (and someone who is!). Reading more diverse books is about making a conscious choice to read books about characters from all walks of humanity (and from authors of all walks of humanity). Most often, I find that your way of selecting books based on premise goes hand in hand with diverse selection--I am often sold on a book because it sounds cool AND it has characters that I want to know more about. In a nutshell, that's what reading more diverse books is about. Hope that helps. Best wishes!

@bjorntheviking6039

7 жыл бұрын

I also prefer to judge a book by its content and not their author. The problem with encouraging people to read 'diverse' books for me is that when I hear a book is 'diverse' I think that it must be the only redeeming quality of the book, otherwise people would be talking about the strength of the story, prose or something else. I read "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini and enjoyed it immensely, but I read that book because I heard it was a powerful and harrowing story, not because it was centered on two muslim women and was therefore 'diverse'.

@untappedinkwell

7 жыл бұрын

Jackel Umpkin not to mention the w/w books that don't end with dead lesbians are uh... even more rare. (Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst. w/w and they're princesses.)

@hpsauce1078

7 жыл бұрын

I just read a book called Shantaram, its not exactly what your describing here after all its about a bloke from Australia coming to India. However if its different perspectives full stop your after then a take on the Indian perspective on the world from the slums of Bombay can be quite the read.

Thank you for sharing topics and ideas with the world with grace and kindness. While not unbiased your videos help open my eyes to the world in a way that is not infused with anger but with inspiration to do good and change. Thank you

Being born as a Malaysian, race is always a very sensitive issue in my country. Every race always have some kind of ideas or words to insult or discriminate the other race. However, that's okay because the new generation are moving forward from the old idea of identifing theselves as Malays or Indian or Chinese in Malaysia. That's because nowadays we just call ourselves 'Malaysian' and I am very proud of that. I also hope that in one day in U.S. ,no matter what race a person belongs to, what kind of color a person have, he or she can proudly call him/herself as an 'American'

Hank and John Green are good role models to have.

I'm not black, but I am a minority in terms of race, religious beliefs (or lack thereof), sexual orientation, and personality. I have never really experienced any meaningful discrimination (as far as I'm aware of), but I just wanted to add my 2 cents. I think a big part of the problem here is precisely that people talk about race/etc TOO MUCH and with far too much passion. I think most people just don't have a good understanding of human psychology, including the psychology of the people who disagree with them. The problem is that bringing these kinds of issues up is counterproductive because it invariably leads to people questioning and arguing against whatever the speaker is saying. Nobody can talk about anything without making mistakes, being unclear, or saying something that a significant number of people will not disagree with. Because of that, this issue just turns into a numbers game. It's not about the arguments or the rhetoric, it's not about morality, it's not about education, it's not about current events. It's simply a matter of the fact that, when brought up, a subset of people will disagree with any given issue. And when repeatedly brought up by people over and over again, the disagreements over the errors (whether legitimate or not) simply become more and more intensified, leading to further justifications and action against them. So, to make my somewhat vague and broad point a little more concrete: I think the vast majority of people are not actively or consciously discriminating against most minorities, and they most certainly wouldn't try to persuade others that they should engage in the same kind of discrimination as they do. Most people just live out their daily lives going to work, shopping, and doing other mundane things. The problem comes when people bring up the issue of race (and other issues) and force people to start thinking about it. Because people are full of cognitive biases, lack information, and don't have the critical thinking skills to adequately analyze these issues, a subset of people will invariably start thinking more and more about race but in the opposite way that the people who brought it up wanted them to. They start to pick out the "errors" in that person's logic, they start talking to other people who then find even more "errors", they start coming up with more counter facts and counter arguments, they become more and more passionate about it, etc. Talking about things leads to arguments, to people assembling together, to people creating echo chambers and radicalizing each other, and then to people acting out. Many times things are in the news precisely because they're in the news. It's a positive feedback loop- the more you talk about an issue, the stronger the emotions for/against get, and therefore the more you talk about the issue, which leads to more action on both sides, etc. It just escalates the problem. I believe that if people would just focus on the addressing the most basic and clearest problems (giving people the same legal rights, protecting against blatant discrimination, etc) which everyone can agree are wrong, and stopped making such a big deal out of all of the other far smaller and more ambiguous forms of bigotry out there, all that bigotry would gradually fizzle out and quickly just stop. A steady, gentle push will move society towards where it should be. A hard, angry push will simply lead to hard, angry push back, and therefore to a much more fraught and long path to getting society where it should be.

Thank you for sharing, Hank. And thank you for linking to Rhett's article, it was a good read.

Out of the entire video, this quote stuck with me the most "if its gonna be done before you die, its too small a goal".... its one of those eye openers that changes your attitude towards life and things you wish to achieve. Well said ^_^