Why does it always seem to be this way?
If white people get defensive, the expectation is to respect that defensiveness, and find ways to achieve goals without triggering them. Put solutions to privilege on hold until everyone’s comfortable.
-But-
If other people get frustrated, they should get over their frustration so as not to appear “hostile” or threatening. Put solutions to privilege on hold until the people pointing out the problem find a way to be more polite, or are able to not display “awkward” feelings of disappointment in other people (however understandable).
This double standard is there because of the issue itself. People challenging systemic injustice are held to the standard of comforting yet non-threatening 911 operators, and the people who need to be convinced maintain that they should be approached like bosses being asked for a raise, or an alien visitor that requires handholding on the basic concept of “one kind of person having an unearned advantage.”
If someone’s house is on fire, people have to stop expecting a please and thank you at every interaction.
