“White People,” the MTV documentary that explores the meaning of whiteness and racial identity in the United States, has drawn incredibly strong reactions online.
The film follows Pulitzer-Prize winner Jose Antonio Vargas as he travels across the country and speaks with young people about racial identity and how it factors into their lives. It specifically addresses the concept of white privilege and how white people factor into the larger racial debate.
Vargas believes that white people cannot be excluded when we talk about race. “Too often I think when we talk about diversity or we talk about inclusion, we don’t include white people in the conversation,” he explained to TheWrap, adding that “diversity is the destiny of this country.”
Read some of the reactions below:
#WhitePeople wasn’t bad at all in my initial opinion. It’s a good step towards conversation we need to be having.
– zo (@zoextalley) July 23, 2015
Absolutely disgusted by the #WhitePeople tweets and comments, it’s the perfect example of prejudice against whites and racial stereotyping. – A Blessed Belle (@KentuckyBellexo) July 23, 2015
Is #WhitePeople still trending? Maybe if blacks were as ardent about raising their kids as they r about racism things would b less “racist”
– MR (@mikerotondo86) July 23, 2015
White people feel attacked? Because of a show?! Wow. Imagine how people of color feel just walking out the door every day. #WhitePeople – Apoxey (@apoxey) July 23, 2015
When #WhitePeople try to act like white privilege doesn’t exist and they constantly try to play the victim. pic.twitter.com/CTVwQJfakf
– uh-lay-shuh (@heyimalachia) July 23, 2015
My race has done so many horrendous things against humanity. It makes me sad and embarrassed. #WhitePeople – ❀Jubilee Michele (@jube_mich) July 23, 2015
No one is asking white people to feel bad about being white. Just be aware of what it means to be white in the context of USA. #WhitePeople
– Queen Caleb (@Queen_Caleb) July 23, 2015
White people reacting to #whitepeople is classic white privilege, it’s AMAZING they haven’t caught on. – ✨ (@H8Yew) July 23, 2015
#WhitePeople racism is racism no matter what color. This is racism disgused as a documentary
– Tony Kendrick (@ToneKendrick) July 23, 2015
“Hey, the numbers don’t back up your claim of being discriminated, isn’t that interesting?” “STOP ATTACKING ME!” #WhitePeople – Emmett Walsh (@theawesomeshow) July 23, 2015
The truth cuts like a hot knife through butter. None of y’all was ready. #Whitepeople
– Orion (@_orionismyname) July 23, 2015