We All Make Mistakes - Have a Seat and Listen

Yep, we do fuck up often. Why are white people always so defensive when they unintentionally or intentionally say or do racist things? Yes, we are human beings, we make mistakes. Yes, we are often unaware of our privileges. Be grateful when people point this out to you. Be open to seeing things the way oppressed groups see. Just apologize - don't be defensive.

"We need to accept that when a person of color tells us we’ve fucked up, the answer is not to get defensive.  When we get that instinct to say “geez, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way at all,” it’s time to stop right now.  It doesn’t matter how you meant it.  It really doesn’t.  Someone doesn’t have to have racism in their heart to do something racist.  And doing something racist doesn’t make you an evil person who can never do good again, should never be an activist, should run off and hide in a hole somewhere.  It means you did something hurtful, you made a big mistake, and you need to own that mistake.  You need to say “I’m sorry.”  Full stop.  I’m sorry.  And if the person who called you out is generous enough to take time to explain what you did wrong, you need to have a seat and listen."

http://radicallyqueer.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/white-feminists-its-time-to-put-up-or-shut-up-on-race/