#ItsOkaytobeWhite trends, sparks discussion
Over the last few weeks, a popular hashtag on Twitter has flooded the site’s ‘trending’ page with over thousands of tweets, this being #ItsOkaytobeWhite. This hashtag (according to The Washington Post) “[has] been appearing on college campuses and on city streets across the country this [last] week, prompted by an anonymous chat-room comment that suggests the message would feed social unrest and sway white Americans to far-right ideologies.” This message originates from an alt-right (a right leaning group) user who hopes that the message could help achieve a “massive victory for the right in the culture war.”
There is some confusion about the origins of this phrase, some thinking it is an alt-left message as opposed to an alt-right one. Many of these signs and flyers have been put up around universities, especially liberal arts colleges,”Some were on light poles, and one was at the business center at the private liberal arts college in Moorhead,” Twincities.com states.
This phrase coincides with the term “reverse-racism,” which is where people of color have prejudiced views on white people. However, people of color may view this hashtag as a symbol of white supremacy.
Jacob Zimbelman • Feb 4, 2018 at 11:37 pm
But it is okay to be white. Whats wrong with being white. I feel offended that people think being white is bad so it is good that people are spreading the word that it is okay to be white. Respond if you think differently.
Caden Forbes • Jan 25, 2018 at 11:02 am
The phrase “It’s okay to be white” is just as true as the phrase “it’s okay to be African” or “it’s okay to be Jewish”. This means that whatever Race, Religion, or Sexual Orientation you are, its okay. Now I’m assuming that the author and I and both agree with this opinion, but the fact that they (The author) associated this phrase to a political party is not okay. My reasoning for this is there is too much finger pointing for political parties in the news (Democrats did this, this is the Republican’s fault etc.) and that is exactly what this post is doing.