Oh, we desperately need something similar to this in Germany. I didn't watch much of the video because I get physically uncomfortable because of second hand embarrassment (awesome German word: "Fremdschämen") but it attacks a root problem that's very prominent in German culture:
The infamous: "I'm not racist, but..."
If someone is a "racist" in Germany pictures in heads immediately show the shaved head, bomber jacket, combat boots, camo pants, Thor Steinar shirt wearing neonazi or maybe even directly the guy in the SA-uniform. So people say the most racist shit, put it even in books that jump onto the number one of bestseller lists like "the Muslim in general is genetically dumber than the white European" and the very second you call that shit out as racist nonsense there is much outrage and "how dare you call me racist?!? (subtext: How dare you call me a dumb fuck like the neonazis are?) and "one still has to have the right to say this!!!" and other reflexive bullshit.
There such a fuckload of racism still in so many heads in Germany (just watch at what is haunting German best-seller lists right this moment: A book called (translated): "Germany out of its mind - The insane cult about women, homosexuals and immigrants" and yes, it's exactly as bad as it sounds. And people are tripping over themselves, cheering it on) but the second you call them out they get into full blown cognitive dissonance mode.
That's something that really impressed me in the USA (was on a short student exchange in Florida once). That one kid who said "I really don't like black people." I said: "Well, that's racist" and he answered: "Of course it is." He was a collossal asshole but at least he didn't delude himself.
SonOfVoorhees said:
Granted white people are more privileged than black people in some ways. But i would also say they have the same chances as a white person - we all have schooling paid through taxes till 16. A lot of black people take that opportunity and become lawyers, business owners etc Others just accept they wont make it due to being black and give up trying. Maybe thats to do with remembering the issues their parents grow up in, or their grand parents. But its got better.
Well, I don't know where you're from but here this isn't the case. A recent study showed that in Germany people with a Turkish name see their chances to get invited for an interview after sending an application by up to 11%. And the "same schooling" bit isn't true either. In Germany we have a kind of three pronged scholar system and if your parents are immigrants the chance you get sent to the kind of school that gives you the least chances of social upwards mobility increases significantly. Also schools in socially critical, immigrant rich areas are often allowed to fall off the back of the wagon. I can't really imagine that is so different in other countries.
Edit: You just have to take a look at some of the more prominent German people in this forum and what I'm saying jumps straight out at you.
Editedit:
EternallyBored said:
Oh, this rings so true. Like you wouldn't believe it does... Cognitive dissonance everywhere...