Even the most rabid American reactionary has to admit that people of color have been oppressed by the white majority throughout most of the country’s past. Blacks were enslaved, and then subjected to varying forms of both de jure and de facto discrimination; Native Americans were deprived of their land and their identity; Asians were excluded; and so on. It’s not a pretty picture.
But the predominant reactionary view is that these actions are ancient history. They have no relevance in contemporary America; people of color should stop whining and just get over it. In fact, the federal government openly favors racial minorities over white people by imposing affirmative action, which is pervasive in today’s society. As a result, it is white people, not minorities, who are the true victims in America in 2024.
The reactionaries have no case on this issue. Affirmative action has never been nearly as ingrained in our society as they would imagine, while the impacts of past discrimination are still being felt, particularly with regard to inherited household wealth. In addition, plenty of surveys still show evidence of contemporary discrimination. As a result, while there is lots of room for legitimate debate about the wisdom of providing compensation for past sins, the notion of white victimhood is complete rubbish.