‘White People’ Provokes Strong Reactions From Twitter Users, Including Creator Jose Antonio Vargas

It seemed that 140 characters could barely contain the reactions the Jose Antonio Vargas documentary “White People” sparked among millennials.

REVIEW: In ‘White People,’ an Attempt to Break the Cycle of Ignorance

Since the documentary’s airing Wednesday on MTV, both Caucasians and people of color have turned Twitter into a battleground for competing ideologies. The latter tended to comment on the fleeting nature of racial reflection, while others peppered the documentary with accusations of bias.

Drake’s ghostwriter, (@dangAnna), tweeted about the difference between people of color and whites:

“White people get to be uncomfortable for an hour and here I am, back to my real life of institutionalized discrimination.”

Gavanne, a black woman who tweets at @VannCosmetics, said:

“Someone told the white guy not to go to an HBCU because he wouldn’t fit in. Imagine how minorities feel everyday living in USA.”

And Ruler of New Wakanda (@insanityreport) expressed the need for an ongoing conversation:

“Is this an ongoing series? Cause 60 minutes isn’t enough. I need to be back here next week.”

Alongside these comments were the differing opinions of whites: Some viewers said the focus should shift from a racial one to a socioeconomic discussion, while others acknowledged “white privilege” and urged action.

Mizztown’s (@justiceinthenow) response focused on the issue of class:

“Why don’t ya tell all the dirt poor white people, going hungry living in run down trailer parks about white privilege.”

A Blessed Belle (@KentuckyBellexo) tweeted that the documentary stereotyped whites:

“Absolutely disgusted by the #WhitePeople tweets and comments, it’s the perfect example of prejudice against whites and racial stereotyping.”

But Caroline Moss (@caro19moss)—who is white—had a much more positive response:

“You can do something about your own privilege. If you’re unhappy with your life do something!  #whitepeople U can be a solution not a victim.”

And despite numerous personal attacks, Vargas (@joseiswriting) took to Twitter to comment on criticisms against him personally, as well as explaining why he made the film.

His response to tweets telling him to “go back home to Mexico”:

“Dear people telling me to go back home to Mexico: I was born in the Philippines, I was raised in the US, America is my home.”

And:

“We all live in our own bubble; reaction to #WhitePeople underscores that. My work is about getting out of that bubble.”

—Posted by Clara Romeo and Jenna Berbeo

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