Would you have a problem with someone wearing this t-shirt? Why? Why not?

[Cammy137]

Share your thoughts on this t-shirt. Lauren Southern, a reporter from Canada, was just described as "wearing a provocative t-shirt" after arriving in Australia in the same top.

Is this a provocative top?
Would you see there as being any issue with someone wearing one?

Yes, it's incredibly provocative and nobody should wear one!

I'm on the fence!

No, this t-shirt is perfectly fine and if it mentioned another race then there would be no issue!

Other/Results

[teetee123]

Why not.

I rock black pride shirts all the time.

But maybe we could add a question mark at the end of white.

What u think?

[RiccoCosta]

Totally, totally agree, baby!

[Loverpool]

Yes agree. Well said. Goes from sounding a little racist into a protest for equality for all. One question mark!

[teetee123]

Thank u for the MHO.

[Arctic_Fox]

It’s fine, I often find white people being chastised for being white.

[Loverpool]

I agree. Well said.

[ladsin]

Said D, don't care. Although I would support her right to wear it. I just wouldn't get my panties in a bunch about it.

[AllThatSweetJazz]

That was a fantastic poster campaign.
A beautifully crafted troll that points out something wrong with out society.

[madhatters4]

no i wouldn't have a problem. i would probably laugh to myself about it though

[OlderAndWiser]

Well , , , isn't it okay to be white?

[Skylar071]

Considering (in no offence I’m not a racist at all) other races can wear tops saying it’s okay to be black or other races can wear them and if whites were to say it’s Erin it’s classified racist. It is racist for whites to not be allowed to wear or parade the same stuff as blacks as some of us are about equality

[Skylar071]

Ps I would never wear it myself but I wouldn’t judge someone for wearing it

[anon4us]

White people are a minority across the world, every other race wants to prove their ethic superiority over the whites cause they believe we are the cause of racial wars but the joke is there would be racism even if white people didn't exist so there should be no shame for them to hide cause one day there will be no white people with interracial breeding cause white skin is a ressecive trait in the genetic code so they will be in a zoo one day cause they'll be so rare

[Brand6n95]

I think there's too much emphasis on race and ethnicity in society so I don't think it is helpful wearing anything that is suggestive such as highlighting something one race. In my opinion it should be unwritten that it is okay to be who you are as I feel there are people that interpret merchandise such as this differently and then they feel obligated to respond defending themselves, which ultimately turns into an argument and then suddenly we are divided. To summarise my view, it's okay to be what and who you are but things like that t-shirt are unnecessary

[Selena2418]

Can I make this the most helpful opinion :)

[Loverpool]

Fantastic Shirt! The fightback begins!. I am not racist, I hate it but white working class across the Commonwealth & Europe are having their freedom of speech and living standards taken away & lowered by treasonous poison in their own governments. I do not want unlimited immigration from Pakistan and other muslim nationals. I don't like anybody that extreme in my country. That is my choice. I don't want a muslim major or home secretary or prime minister. Gay muslims and those who do not follow every letter of their religion are fine in controlled numbers though. I am not tolerating the UK being manipulated into future sharia law. That is my view and I am sticking to it. This shirt fights the liberal treasonous appeasers in government & media.

[BlackMaleYou]

Im black. I think u are right. I would feel the same if it was my country. Immigration has to be controlled for security purposes. Then again immigration of Muslims has nothing to do with this T-shirt as Muslim is not a race. I think u have no problem is peaceful immigrants came to the UK whether Asian, black or brown.

[Loverpool]

You are spot on mate. I have no problem with Black people. The western world owes them a mansion each anyway after the disgusting slave trade. My only problem is with these extremist muslim hoardes stealthily trying to gain control here. Call me paranoid all you like but for instance' I I will not eat Halal or Kosher. I can't even go for a Hindu Indian Curry now as they are ALL now halal. Got tricked into eating twice at KFC before I asked & that was Halal! No signage of that symbol anywhere. That should be illegal. Last month, saved a British girl from being gangraped on a beach in Spain from a a load of the scum. They wait all night there picking off any drunk girls to abuse. In full sight of the corrupt Mossos scum police force! That has turned me from extreme dislike into a mission. Trump (although a nob in every other way, is right) extreme Islam is not comparable with human society.

[BlackMaleYou]

Does halal taste different? I think Trump is going about it wrongly. There should be controlled immigration like active social media activities of migrants can be one way to show the life, political, religious, social values of incoming refugees. The goal is to reduce and reject risks for the host country

[Loverpool]

Animals hung upside down & their throats slit & bled to death slowly? They & the Jews with kosher say its tradition. The Azteks used to sacrifice babies! Thank God they woke up! Still mutilate babies foreskins & labia now though & somehow allowed! Definitely taste the difference in Halal ,& Kosher, the animal is stressed & adrenaline flows into the meat & sours it. Never touch a steak that is purple. It means something went wrong when it was killed. It suffered badly. Karma will prevail. bet Halal & Kosher & neglect fully slaughtered meat ends up being a massive cancer risk

[AlienChickk]

I don't find a problem with that shirt, but I can see how others would find it offensive. Honestly I hate this race thing, feel like by this time in history we should move on.

[Ix-tacocat-_-I]

Straight facts, people just get too caught up in the race thing with all these so called movements like BLM and Latino power and all that. It’s 2018, halfway through already smh

[ChronicThinker]

I wouldn't wear that, for one, because it's obviously okay to be white, and two, I live in a very "ethnic" area and I don't need that Trump shit getting me murdered.

[JaoV9]

It's offensive not because it's not ok to be white. It's offensive because it is satirical to a legitimate cause. White people are not oppressed by their skin color, they are not told by society that is bad to white, people will not disqualify you if you're white, cops won't look at you like you are suspicious just because you're white. If you're white, society already know it's ok, even better, society wants everyone to be white. And in this moment we should say that it's also ok not to be white.

[DatGuy2018]

It's disgusting that they even provoke people just for the clothes they're wearing, I'm not judging him for wearing a black pants, cause they're black.

As well as some others have said: just cause it says "white" on it, doesn't mean it's meant to racist, for sakes, perhaps it just says white cause the shirt is.

[Unnameable]

It's only provocative to racist bigots. Objecting to this statement means you think it's not okay to be white, and since race isn't a choice, this leaves white people with two options: commit suicide or defend the white race. Ultimately, this means that every time someone objects to the statement "it's okay to be white", they grow the ranks of white nationalist and white surpremesist groups.

[A-man-22]

White people are oppressed due to their race now a days. So I don't see any difference from parading around in a feminist shirt or a BLM shirt.

For people who can't see how white people are oppressed, we received a ton of hate just because we are a majority and the whole cultural appropriation thing that's happened recently is oppressive to white people.

White people are laughed at and ignored if they try to speak out against any racism they may be experiencing.

[Selena2418]

I understand the sentiment, but I don't know how I feel about it tbh. Everyone knows it's okay to be white, that's kind of the benefit of being white... so, I don't know. I know recently the political climate has gotten a little racially chaotic for different reasons.. important reasons and not so cool reasons. So, I don't know, I guess I lean towards having an issue with it out of obvious redundancy. It would be like me wearing a shirt saying "I'm brown and I know that makes you nervous, dont be scared. I won't hurt you."

[AllThatSweetJazz]

The point was that not everyone feels that way. Sure enough it upset a lot of people. It was meant to trigger progressives and it did. There was a bunch of stuff in the media about nazis spreading "white supremacist messages." Clearly a ridiculous claim. I think the "it's okay to be white" posters made the point very well.

"It would be like me wearing a shirt saying "I'm brown and I know that makes you nervous, dont be scared. I won't hurt you."
No it wouldn't.

[Selena2418]

It totally would be equivalent... of course not everyone feels that way. The social norm for whites is priviledge, the social norm for brown and black people is fear. This is not new, and always has been. Its equivalent. I doubt my response received thumbs up for being an unpopular opinion.

[AllThatSweetJazz]

It's not. "It's okay to be black" would be the equivalent. Your assumption is that everyone is scared of brown people -- which you don't know, and also that everyone thinks it's okay to be white, which you also don't know.

"social norm for whites is privilege"
Hardly.
And how totally not racist of you to lump everyone of a particular skin colour into one box as if they're all the same.

"always has been"
No. There have be other civilizations in other parts of the world. That have had nothing to do with each other. Also, 'white people' have been the softest when it comes to racism so really what are you even talking about?

"unpopular opinion"
I don't think it's the majority, but I don't think it is a particularly unpopular opinion either, yes. That's a problem. It's still too prevalent. That's why we need such provocative material, to lure out those who would lump people into skin colour groups and discriminate based on that -- to point out how ridiculous they are.

[Selena2418]

Your first point: that is the social norm. Get over it, it is what it is. I've learned to live with it my whole life. Second point: white privilege isn't a fairy tale. Third point: we are talking about the U. S here, not the world... the shirt and question would be irrelevant if talking about the world. Fourth point: plenty of people have voiced their opinion that is equivalent to mine... the shirt lumps. all white people in together so your point is hypocritical.

[AllThatSweetJazz]

"I've learned to live with it my whole life"
There's your problem. It's not real, get over it and be free.

"white privilege isn't a fairy tale"
Except for it's complete lack of proof.

"we are talking about the U. S"
There are other countries besides the US fyi and yes they have the same problems revelant to the statement. The original IOTBW posters popped up in the US, NZ, AU, UK and Canada, all of which are in the midst of dealing with the same stuff.

"shirt lumps. all white people in together so your point is hypocritical."
The "shirt" is the language of the people it's meant to trigger. Just because it's phrased that way doesn't mean it's putting people in boxes. If it's okay to be white and it's okay to be black then they're in the same box and the distinction is arbitrary. So using the language in that way isn't racial stereotyping and no, I'm not being hypocritical... as if being hypocritical would mean I'm wrong anyway.

[Selena2418]

Fuck you for undermining my racial experience. Walk a day in the shoes of a black woman or a black man, then you can have an opinion on that. If you really think white privilege is just made up, then you need to educate yourself and come down to reality.

[Cammy137]

@Selena2418 Can I ask you a question? Not to interrupt this debate but do you view white privilage as a world wide phenomenon or simply a US one?

[Selena2418]

I can't say whether its worldwide or not. Its certainly a phenomenon in the U. S., which is what I was addressing. I just dont appreciate when people undermine my experiences, especially when it comes to race. White privilege is very real in the U. S, and that's no secret. Being someone of color in the U. S. welcomes negative reaction from people (not all people), a lot of it fear-based. That's also no secret.

[blubblubblub]

@Selena2418 it realy is frustrating to watch people just dismiss the experience of millions, and deem themselves a more worthy judge

[Selena2418]

Its really sad honestly. Our country is filled with ignorant racist like that. Our country is so divided, and its infuriating because we allow ourselves to be. People who allow themselves to be like that are so closed to the world around them, blind to what's going on around them. A white man telling me what it's like to not be white while crying a river of white tears...

[Cammy137]

The thing is though, you're doing the exact same. You dismiss the experience of white people and automatically label them as having "white privilage" yet you're not white and have no idea what one white person or the next has gone through.
Labelling an entire group of people under one list of assumptions is in fact racist. What makes it worse (and this goes to both of you) is that you then act as if its enlightened to support the idea of white privilage. You claim that those who ignore it are blind and ignorant.
Yet you're happy saying statements like "a white man telling me what its like to not be whitr while crying a river of white tears". You're beyond hypocritical! You're racist without even realising it and you undermine the experience of every white person while complaining of the exact same thing being done to you.
You realise that Asian privilage is much more prevalent and much more beneficial in the US, right?

[Selena2418]

The shirt acts like a satire towards the struggles of those who are not white who are less advantaged than white people. White people do have white privilege even if you realize that or not. I'm not saying white people's lives are perfect, but carrying white guilt, and being defensive about your priviledge doesn't change that... I dont care if you think I'm a racist, because I know I'm not. I'm a little bit of everything as far as back ethnic background is concerned. As far as having issue with my white tears commentary, I called it like it is. Having a shirt like that with the intention of getting reactions out of people is not helping anyone - that intention is antagonistic, and not constructive. Also I was calling your buddy a racist. Not you. I think a white man who has the nerve to tell me my nonwhite experience of discrimination isn't real is a pretty big red flag of being a racist.

[Cammy137]

No, the shirt works to provoke those who believe that its not acceptable to claim that its ok to be white. Thats it.
Your background doesn't change if you're a racist or not.
I don't have white guilt and where I live there isn't white privilage. Perhaps go look up the definition of racism because its exactly what you're being.
You didn't answer my question though: what are your thoughts on Asian privilage and why do you not address that in the US?

[Selena2418]

You can dress it up any way you like, it doesn't change anything, and it certainly doesn't make you part of any solution. I know who I am, I dont have to convince of you anything because it's obvious it doesn't matter. Believe what you need to, to make yourself feel better.

[Cammy137]

It's not about feeling better or worse. I don't live in the US so if white privilege is an issue there then there is very little I can do to help that. It's not something that exists here (or in most of the world) and using statements like white guild and white tears and still claiming that no part of you is racist is just naive!
I hope you're able to repair whatever is broken inside of you! You're clearly in pain and I hope you're able to find something to fix that. My advice would be to stop judging people based on the colour of their skin!

[blubblubblub]

@Cammy137 all I've said is that it is fact that white people are not subjective to discrimination purely on the basis of their skin colour. especially in countries like the usa. my comment was in response to her saying he's ignoring her experiences with racism, which is something I've seen a lot of people do.

[Selena2418]

Feel better?

[Cammy137]

@blubblubblub I've been subjected to discrimination entirely based on the colour of my skin and it happens in the US as well! But thanks for proving my point perfectly: you both do exactly what you claim to hate. You judge the experiences of others based on the colour of their skin despite never walking in their shoes.

[blubblubblub]

@Cammy137 please elaborate on your experience

[blubblubblub]

@Cammy137 i hesitate on calling it a privlidge, because it isn't, its a basic right that SOME are denied. everyone knows its ok to be white. you dont have people wanting you out of your OWN country, you aren't turned down a job just cause of your skin colour! and when people are just making something that isn't even an issue such a big thing, and belitting the experiences of others facing actual discrimination its just plain pathetic.

[Cammy137]

@blubblubblub Actually white people are turned down for jobs all the time based on their skin colour. Many companies are required to employ a certain percentage of non-white people in order to demonstrate that they aren't being discriminatory. There are also certain university positions, scholarships, academic funding and more that I am unable to apply for based entirely on my skin colour. In terms of my own experience, I've been attacked for being white, I've had people being aggressive, insulting, intimidating because I'm white. My friend got a broken nose in a club once simply for being white and walking past a group of black men who had had too much to drink and thought it would be funny to punch my friend, calling him derogatory terms based on his skin colour.

[Selena2418]

If you're referring to affirmative action, it a voluntary and stats show it actually favors white women the most. There is funding for people who are disadvantaged that's true. It's also a misconception that all people of color get these things. I'm up to my ears in school debt, and I haven't gotten a break because of the color of my skin. What she is getting at is, you're belittling the experience of others that face actual discrimination.

[Cammy137]

I'm not referring to the US though! I didn't once claim that all people of colour get them but rather that there are certain examples where white people are entirely excluded.
I'm not belittling anyone's experience at all. In fact the I'm the only one here who isn't. I haven't remotely claimed that you don't face discrimination or racism. I also haven't belittled your experience based on your skin colour. Can you claim the same in relation to yourself and white people, even just within this thread? No, you can't. You're under the impression that being self-righteous gives you the ability to judge the experience of others but it doesn't. You've experienced your life, i've experienced mine. Yet only one of us ISN'T judging the others' experience. Maybe you should take a look in the mirror before you start blaming white people for all your problems!

[Selena2418]

Oh yeah cause I clearly blame all white people for all my problems.. please.

[Cammy137]

That's the impression you're giving off with your statements! Don't disregard the experience of other people while complaining about people doing the same to you! Do you complain to Asians about their privilege and discuss Asian tears?

[AllThatSweetJazz]

"undermining my racial experience"
Ah and there it is. An excellent exemplification of racial collectivization. Thanks for being honest.

"Educate yourself"
Oh I have. Have you? I gave "white Privilege" serious consideration and it really doesn't hold water. To whatever extent you believe in it, it must not be that bad or you'd leave. Open your mind to the possibilities.

"dismiss the experience of millions, and deem themselves a more worthy judge"
Well that's literally what believing in the concept of white privilege does to people. So can't help but appreciate the irony here.

"Our country is filled with ignorant racist like that."
True. Racial collectivists are painting white people as oppressors to be discriminated against and holding black people down through perpetual insistence of their victimhood. Shame.

"white tears"
Right after going on about racists you essentially invalidate a person's tears based on their race. Mmwah, amazing, top stuff.

Looks like I've been tagged out.

[jimjimjimjimjim]

While the phrase isn't necessarily negative or positive, given the cultural climate at the current moment, this shirt seems only to serve a purpose of being controversial. Similar to wearing a MAGA hat; there's nothing wrong or illegal with that, but it greatly increases the likelihood of judgement, stares, confrontation, etc. With this in mind, I don't think this should cause any issues, but unfortunately I believe it will cause issues. Thus, it may be problematic to wear.

[Selena2418]

Totally agree. Its clear the intention is to get people worked up.. and for what? That's not constructive or healthy - completely pointless.

[Myk13]

Provocative - NO / Fun - YES
I come from German, Dutch and Mexican blood lines. My father was born in Minnesota and my mother was born in Louisiana. I was born in California. I am American. You can guess the color of my skin. Does it change anything? Could you tell if I were a good candidate for the job by my skin color? Would it tell you if I’ve ever been locked up in county jail or a federal penitentiary? Would it indicate that I would be more likely to beat my wife if she didn’t make my sandwich just the way I like it? I don’t think so. If I posted a picture of myself in the corner of my profile. Would every piece of advice and every opinion that I post on this site be interpreted differently? Maybe, maybe not. Judge me for my actions. Not my looks. Wear whatever the hell you want to wear. If somebody has a problem with it? Remind them who is wearing it. You are, not them, and tell them to get bent!

[Ellie-V]

Of course it’s okay to be white. Whites are the most privileged. Everyone has their own struggles but white people as a whole won’t be taken seriously with THAT shirt on. It’s really dumb and kind of offensive to other people who have worse problems. A white person walking down the streets of a “colored” neighborhood wearing that would receive a well deserved ass whooping😂

[Cammy137]

So you're saying that a violence response is not only acceptable but actually deserved? Seems a bit strange that the most privileged are the only ones who would be violently attacked (and have it deemed acceptable) for wearing a tshirt saying that its ok to be their race.

[Loverpool]

Its ok to be white & that they have freedom of speech & rights again

[AllThatSweetJazz]

"Whites are the most privileged"
Progressives believe this and the attitude is prevalent, which is exactly why it's not okay to be white. Progressive attitudes can't seem to help but shit on white people.

[blubblubblub]

it doesn't deserve a violent response ofc, but it serves no purpose and suggests that they are facing oppression, that they need reassurance to say it IS ok to be white. i wouldn't go as far as to say its offensive, its alright, but its rather overdramatic and cringey.

[Ellie-V]

It’s deserved because they’re stupid enough to walk around in the shirt in an area where you know people are going to take offense.

[AllThatSweetJazz]

The purpose it serves it to draw out the people who do have a problem with it. When it first popped up on university campuses there were a bunch of articles complaining about "Nazi propaganda" and all sorts of shit when this statement fundamentally isn't racist or problematic in the slightest. Also, there's obviously something out there related to "oppression" going on if it's not okay to say that it's okay to be white.

How is it overly dramatic? It's a subtle troll. The response was "overdramatic."

@Ellie-V What's deserved? Violence?
If people take offense then that's a commentary on them more than someone bringing the message.

[Cammy137]

@AllThatSweetJazz Exactly! That comment by @Ellie-V is absolutely ridiculous. Can you imagine saying that about any other race? Imagine saying that a black person deserved to be the victim of violence simply for wearing a t-shirt that said "it's ok to be black" or if the same thing happened to a gay person for wearing a t-shirt that said "it's ok to be gay". I don't when violence became an acceptable demonstration of disagreement.

[Ellie-V]

I could have worded it better. Sorry.
I don’t think violence itself is deserved. However when you deliberately provoke someone, it comes with consequences. Everyone deserves consequences. Whether it’s be good or bad. It’s universal law. Cause and effect. Doesn’t matter if you agree. Because it’s still going to happen.

[Pamina]

The statement itself is not the problem. It's actually a quite redundant statement. It's the intention and the ideology of someone like Lauren Southern wearing it that I disagree with.

But oh well, what else would I expect from that Alt-Right bunny.

[DanielOfTheNorth]

I would wear it. But this is not a issue you should be displaying on a shirt. The most important message to get across is that Jesus Christ is King. Lord. And the Messiah. Everything else is just meaningless. We need to be wearing shirts warning people of sin, and pointing them towards the only hope for Salvation, Jesus Christ.

John 4:16 KJV

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Acts 4:12 KJV

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Jesus said that in the end of times (which we are in) nation will rise against nation. The Hebrew translation for nation means race. So race will rise race. Essentially, a race war. We are in the end of times and race relations are getting worse everyday. It is okay to be any race, color, creed, as long as you have Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, and King, and Messiah.

[Cammy137]

Nobody cares...

[daydreammarie]

Nah. Would care what someone had on their shirt, doesn't effect me in any way now is it said something like it isn't okay to be white or any other race then the shirt would cause isssues but I mean there are so many shirts that should be an issue but they aren't seen as a problem and its a bit odd to hear about people being upset over a shirt that says this and not the millions of shirts worn that can be seen as down right awful

[Cara6]

It is not provactive di per sé, but :
1) it is a t-shirt that illustrates a wrong concept because races do not exist therefore saying being white is OK or being brown is OK is incorrect.
2) c'mon?" BEING WHITE IS OK"?
Can you be more racist?
3) it can also imply that being brown is not ok.
Now the reason I believe that this shirt is not provactive is because I'm sure that they didn't create this t-shirt with the intention of being racist, they probably just wanted to be funny or sarcastic.

[Cammy137]

What do you mean "races do not exist"?

[Naydyonov]

"2) c'mon?" BEING WHITE IS OK"?
Can you be more racist?
3) it can also imply that being brown is not ok. "
2: Wtf?
3: No it can't! In no fucking way is it related to anything else other than the want for people to stop shaming whites for all the worlds problems. Does it say "It's not okay to be brown"? , no? Then fuck off.

[Cara6]

Scientifically speaking @Cammy137 races do not exist

[Cara6]

@Naydyonov people have different ways of thinking for example your trash can be someone else's treasure the same way people could link 'being white is OK' to 'being black is not ok' .
I would also like to emphasize the fact that I wrote 'may imply' and did not say that it actually meant that being brown is not ok.

[Cara6]

@Cammy137 I'll put the link of an article that I read : www.nationalgeographic.com/.../

[Naydyonov]

Well I'd say: imply what you want but if you have a problem with my totally non offensive shirt -- fuck off.

[Cara6]

Read the last paragraph, it CLEARLY says what I think about the t-shirt. I merely stated what people could think looking at this shirt.
Now, no need to be offensive and tell me to fuck off.
I was asked for an opinion and I gave mine (read the last paragraph). Take it or leave it.

[Selena2418]

@Naydyonov if you're going to make a shirt like this with the intention of getting reactions from people (which I think people need to stop rallying people up for a while) and have people ask their opinons... then be prepared for people to say things you're not going to like. You wanted a reaction, you have it.

[Selena2418]

Also @Cara6 is correct... races dont exist, it's a construct of man meant to divide populations to manage control.

[Cammy137]

@Selena2418 I would like to highlight that while @Selena2418 is agreeing that races don't exist in this thread, she is using statement such as?: "A white man telling me what it's like to not be white while crying a river of white tears..." in other threads.

[Naydyonov]

@Selena2418 But that's not the point of the shirt.
It's like having a shirt that says: I'm Free. It's just a statement that you wear.

[Anonymous]

I'm a white person and I find it stupid and pointless. I wouldn't mind someone wearing it, but it's dumb because white people have always been privileged.

[AllThatSweetJazz]

"white people have always been privileged."
Based on how many people buy into that, it's almost like it's not entirely okay to be white. Hmmm.