10 Ways White Liberals Perpetuate Racism

One of the joys of the English language, especially the American variant, is that it is adaptable. New words can be created from whole cloth and old words can be adapted to new context. This is especially valuable in describing emerging technologies.
One of the curses of the English language, especially the American variant, is that it is adaptable. Old words can be adapted to new context and are traps for the unwary. The best defense to accusations that people may be offended when we stumble into these traps is the simple statement, "You're offended?" then laugh at them. Nothing and no one can stand in a gale of laughter.

10 ways white liberals engage in subtle racism

1. Denial: Denying we could ever have racist thoughts, or that we reap the benefits as a member of the majority race, is a common defense of liberal White Americans. By denying the existence of our racist thoughts, we negate the depth of the racial divide. "But I don't even see color."

2. Shame & Hurt: When focus remains on the White person, and our emotional wounds, this is classic deflection and redirection. "I'm so embarrassed I said that!"

3. Narcolepsy & Ignorance: Shutting down or going blank is referred to as "race-related narcolepsy." Racism retains a foothold when white people reach a threshold in their racial sensitivity and invoke their white privilege to "check out," and go silent, instead of sticking out the racial awareness process.

4. Masochism: When a white liberal's guilt runs amuck, it may become a deep-seated need to take his or her racial lumps. Taking the neighborhood's homeless black man in for a meal may help him, but does the giving come from a place of joy or guilt? What happens when he steals from you? In retrospect, was your original act helpful or masochistic?

5. Apology & Faux Compassion: "I'm so sorry. I feel your pain." This is an example of a deflective technique many white people use to draw attention away from an initial, biased encounter. Again, not taking time to look inward stops short of sincere sensitivity.

6. Defensiveness: "But you know me. I'm not a racist! This response to confrontation happens all the time. A white person reminds black people that they personally owned no slaves, their relative marched with Dr. King, and they were into NWA before they got big---so obviously they're in the clear regarding racism.

7. The Pain Game: "You're not the only ones. My family was wiped out in the Holocaust." These microinvalidations are meant "to silence, diminish and denigrate the experience of the person of color." Comparisons made to other races or cultural groups are insensitive. Creating a "contest of pain" keeps racist language alive, highlights deep insensitivity, and is yet another deflection from the initial microinvalidation that, if explored, could be enlightening.

8. Racial Resume: Many White liberals keep a mental, multicultural resume to be submitted as evidence of racial tolerance and support. "I voted for Obama!" However, talking about how we have Black friends, coached an inner-city basketball team, or live in a racially-mixed neighborhood does not excuse us from internal racial insensitivity.

9. White Guilt: According to The Racism Root Kit: Understanding the Insidiousness of white privilege, a person experiencing white guilt will attempt "to provide comfort as if to 'make up' for the indignation expressed by the person of color." "I feel terrible about all the police brutality against black people."

10. Intellectualization: As a defensive tool, a white person might bring up societal exceptions, and success stories to negate the experience of someone who challenges their racial biases. "But we have a black president!" These examples are held up as reasons why we can dismiss the experience of the person of color: "...because logically the person of color should not be having the experience they are having."

Also from the old 2015 article are suggestions that conservatives choose to ignore...

If we truly want a different world, let's ask ourselves:

Is it possible that I might unintentionally say something that might be perceived as invalidating by people of color?
Can I take an honest inventory of my unintentional microinvalidations, if the person of color confronts me? What is my go-to defense? Denial? Hurt? Faux Compassion, Pain Game, Intellectualization?
Can I engage with people of color without deferring to internal defenses, especially when my unintended microinvalidations and unconscious sense of superiority are confronted?
Can I be open to the impact of my words, expressing interest and caring how my actions have been perceived?
Can I simply say: "I wasn't aware my words or actions hurt you. Tell me more so I can learn?"