Photo
from: http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/02/22/video-7-things-colorblind-racist-friend-might-say-respond/
I
was recently on a panel with several other individuals for a discussion led at
my university by The Association of Black Psychologists entitled “It Takes a
Village: Raising African American Youth in a Colorblind Era.” During this
discussion, we explored many avenues of what it means to be Black, White, colorblind,
and how it impacts a multitude of people. Being a white female, I had to
reflect on what this meant for me during the conversation and the answer I came
to discussing was: that being white means I don’t have to think about this
stuff. I don’t have to worry as much about how my future family will be
treated. I don’t have people who look like me in the news often for being
killed by cops. How unfair is that? Then came the bigger question, what do I
have? I have peers who have said, “I don’t see color” or “We are all equal as
people.” I have family who don’t acknowledge their stimulus value in society. I
have a role in all of this. A newfound responsibility in understanding what it
means to be white. I reflected on how these phrases play right into the theory
many people have about this country being a “big melting pot.” While initially that
idea was created to help integrate the differences that exist in our society,
it, along with the aforementioned comments, is ultimately a precipitant to
racial avoidance. Colorblindness.
From
an early age we learn that talking about, or even just acknowledging race and
differences, is a big no-no in society. This makes sense considering our
country’s racial history is extremely uncomfortable. Unfortunately, similar to
many other lessons we have been taught – eating vegetables is good for you,
having manners is always nice, asking people who don’t look like you where they
are from is okay – the ideology behind colorblindness is full of pitfalls. Now,
before I elaborate, this is the disclaimer that I am not writing to judge
others for concepts that they have adopted over the years – I mean, how many of
us wouldn’t after years of societal training? When it comes to my own training,
I have spent the last 9 years in academia, surrounded by peers and professors,
with some whom I’ve cringed at the words they’ve spoke and some who I proudly
stand beside in support of this cause. Overall, they are the ones who have provided
an abundance of evidence that when it comes to this topic; we’re in desperate
need of alternative training. I am of a firm faith that it is the
responsibility of White individuals to become educated about this, and to
educate each other. Expecting for people of color to be our trainer’s sends an
unfair message about who had responsibility for what. Lets encourage each other
to learn more and dismantle racism, advocating for justice in our communities.
Learning
how to become a white ally is a notion that has been reinforced time after time
over the past several years as the list of person’s of color killed by the
police has increased. During his acceptance speech for BET’s Humanitarian
Award, actor and activist Jesse Williams made a statement, reminding white people
“the burden of the brutalized is not to comfort the bystander.” His words help
shape what our role—white allies—needs to be in taking supportive action toward
long-overdue change. Let’s begin to consider a practical list of actionable
ways to become the people that others need us to be.
1.
Have difficult conversations with the people you care about, and even those
that you don’t.
That one cousin who “means well” but tells a racist joke at a
family get-together. Your peer who says, “I’m not racist,” but lately is
posting #AllLivesMatter on Facebook. Speak up. Know it will be awkward and do
it anyway.
2.
Check yourself. No ally is immune from exhibiting
racist behaviors or from being unhelpful even when their intentions are the
opposite. Be willing to listen. Refrain from working as an ally as a means of
earning capital to counterbalance your white guilt or as a way of seeking
accolades for how not racist you are. If that’s your foundation, stop taking up
space at the table.
3. Bear Witness & Participate. Download the
ACLU’s mobile justice app and prepare to record police interactions if you find
yourself witnessing an encounter. Show up at a protest or rally. Donate. There
are so many ways to help.
We
can’t take back the unnecessary deaths, violent acts, and historical pain that
has occurred, but we can work towards preventing this list from growing longer.
References:
https://www.aclu.org/feature/aclu-apps-record-police-conduct
http://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/kivel3.pdf
https://medium.com/@keeltyc/how-to-easily-be-a-white-ally-to-marginalized-communities-fb0ff326e7ac#.aomvl71zm
http://fusion.net/story/329680/black-lives-matter-white-allies/
http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7416612/jesse-williams-bet-awards-2016-speech-video
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