Stop It, I Say: The Dynamics of White Supremacy and Minority Discrimination

A Reflection from 2020 to Now

This post began in 2020, during a year of global upheaval and a reckoning with systemic injustice. As I revisit it today, in light of what we’ve seen over the years—including the aftermath of the Trump elections and the ongoing discourse on race—it feels more relevant than ever.

Let’s talk about **white supremacy (WS)** and how it doesn’t just target Black people but other minorities as well. However, the issue I want to focus on is how those same minorities, who are also oppressed by WS, often **discriminate against Black people**, seeking to gain favor within a system that has long rewarded anti-Blackness.

The Global Dynamics of Anti-Blackness

Anti-Blackness isn’t confined to one country or culture. It is ingrained in many societies across the globe. From the **caste systems in South Asia**, where darker-skinned individuals face prejudice, to **colorism in Latin America and Asia**, the disdain for Blackness has been woven into cultural narratives for centuries.

According to a **2019 Pew Research study**, 58% of Black Americans felt racial discrimination was worse in their generation compared to previous ones, with many noting how global systems of oppression consistently put them at the bottom of a racial hierarchy. Similarly, reports like the **UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent** have highlighted systemic anti-Black discrimination worldwide, ranging from education and employment disparities to outright violence.

White Supremacy and Inter-Minority Relations

While WS has raided the lands and resources of countless nationalities, its legacy manifests differently among different groups. Some have placated or assimilated into the system, avoiding the same degree of violence and repercussions as Black people. This isn’t to dismiss their struggles but to recognize the **hierarchical dynamics** WS has imposed, where being non-Black can sometimes offer a layer of protection.

The result? **Minority groups discriminating against Black people** to gain favor within a system that has always sought to divide and conquer. This isn’t new—it’s a feature of WS designed to weaken solidarity among oppressed groups.

Tag-Along Outrage and Shared Struggles

Here’s the crux of it: when minorities jump on Black-led movements to broadcast their own issues, it often feels like **tag-along outrage.** While we empathize with their struggles, there is a distinct difference in the way systemic oppression plays out for Black people.

For instance, during the **George Floyd protests**, some attempted to equate their struggles with those of Black Americans, often without acknowledging the unique role anti-Blackness plays in systemic oppression. It’s exhausting to have to fight WS on one hand while also justifying our pain to other minorities.

That said, we **do not water down their pain**, but we ask: Why not create your own platforms, as we have? Why not reeducate yourselves and see us not as "beneath" you but as **allies** united against the tyranny of WS?

The Problem with Assimilation

Some minorities have achieved temporary favor by **assimilating** into whiteness—adopting its standards of beauty, success, and culture. This assimilation, however, often comes at a cost. It reinforces the idea that **Blackness is undesirable** and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

According to the **2020 Gallup Poll**, 43% of minorities in corporate America reported experiencing pressure to conform to Eurocentric standards, with Black employees facing the highest levels of scrutiny over hair, speech, and cultural practices. This dynamic, while oppressive for all minorities, is uniquely brutal for Black individuals.

Building True Solidarity

To dismantle WS, we need true solidarity—one that acknowledges the unique pain of Black communities while recognizing the shared struggle of all oppressed groups. This requires:

• **Reeducation**: Understanding the specific role anti-Blackness plays within WS systems.
• **Separate Platforms**: Creating spaces for different groups to address their struggles without erasing or co-opting the struggles of others.
• **Mutual Respect**: Seeing each other as allies rather than competitors within a system designed to oppress us all.

Conclusion: A United Front Against White Supremacy

WS thrives on division. It weaponizes prejudice, creating hierarchies within oppression to prevent collective action.

While we acknowledge the shared struggles of minorities under WS, we also assert the need to address **anti-Blackness specifically**. This isn’t about exclusion—it’s about focus. By understanding how WS functions globally, we can build a united front that dismantles the system rather than perpetuating its divisions.