White People, It's On Us To Fix This, All Of Us
I would like to first apologise and admit that I am writing because of strong emotions which have gripped me over the last few days and I cannot claim that I am able to think dispassionately about what is a highly emotive issue in recent times. For a long time, I have felt pained by the ugly injustices which pervade the everyday workings of our democracies, our global economy, and our international relations.
The tragic events which have unfolded in the United States surrounding unprotected livelihoods, police brutality, and systematic racial discrimination have been infuriating to watch but have also given me a sense of hope. If we are to address the evil which exists beneath the surface, it has to be revealed to everyone for exactly what it is, it has to be irrefutably proven. Similar to how the atrocities made against civil rights activists in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 shook the world and placed a spotlight on the moral bankruptcy of Jim Crow and segregation. My hopes are that global consciousness will be rudely awoken by the events which took place on the advent of summer 2020 and that a universal public outcry will rally a globally unified movement against racism. There has to be some kind of positive that comes from this which is tangible and sustained.
Nevertheless, the distinct racial hatred which has been bubbling and largely left unchecked by world leaders and major stakeholders throughout Donald Trump's Presidency has tarnished the reputation of the United States and perhaps all of Western Civilisation. This, however, is just one event in a long and complex saga of oppression that has engulfed the lives of millions of people for generations. The scars left behind by a trail of historical violence, coercion and exploitation are impossible to miss, especially for the communities who still live with the fallout of this shameful legacy.
What is my point here? How does this relate to you as an individual? My point is that this is OUR problem, this is not a black person problem or a brown person problem, it is a human problem. Most white people will accept the argument that at our core, people of all races are the same. Where many white people differ in opinion though, is our level of responsibility for the privileged positions we inhabit or the supposition that we are privileged at all in a "post-race" world. It is self-evident from recent events that we are not living in a "post-race" world, whatever that might imply.
I am not here to point fingers, I believe that the things that my racial group has done to others' are shameful, but I do not believe in shaming any individual. We live in a time where it is immensely difficult to admit one's own prejudices without fearing social repercussions. We as the privileged group, MUST shed our fear of these repercussions and be open to the perspectives of others. I have been prejudiced in my assumptions at times, I have made jokes in the past that were insensitive and ignorant. I have most likely done and said things that are racist, even if they were mildly racist and at the time seemed harmless, they were still racist.
Am I a racist? Well, that's not for me to decide, but I think this narrow question misses the point. We should not be focusing on racist people but instead, racist actions. We should be condemning statements, not the people who make them. We should educate people who do hold prejudices in some shape or form (which is most of us, regardless of race) on how to identify this, take a step back and say to ourselves. "Okay, I'm not being fair and considerate there am I? I made a mistake, let's fix this." I would confidently speculate that Black Lives Matter activists are far less concerned with your feelings of guilt about racism than they are about us having the courage to stand up to racism in all its forms.
Dehumanising other people during your daily life as you trudge through traffic or shove your way into a crowded train car or watch Trump supporters being interviewed is shockingly easy. Empathy, remembering that at the end of the day we are all human, that we all have our own stories and reasons for our beliefs whether they be right or wrong, giving each other a chance to find common ground and establish a dialogue. This is what the world needs right now, not division, not mistrust but instead compassion for our fellow human beings is how we heal our communities. Don't get me wrong, I'd take just as much satisfaction in punching a Nazi as you would, but converting a Nazi to the world of the sane would be far more satisfying to me.
I am encouraged by the huge display of solidarity that many young people in my social circles are displaying on social media and on the streets in peaceful protest. I am inspired to do my part and march as well, but perhaps there is more I can do still. Don't wait! Make yourself heard! There are people whose jobs it is to represent you!
If you live in the UK like me, consider using this website - www.writetothem.com - to contact your MP and express your opinions, demand that the UK immediately suspend its sales of tear gas, riot shields, and rubber bullets to the US, demand that the UK as a free democracy condemn President Trump's use of force and intimidation against his own citizens, and demand the release of reports on BAME Covid deaths to the public.
Much love, take care and be safe.
Jack
The tragic events which have unfolded in the United States surrounding unprotected livelihoods, police brutality, and systematic racial discrimination have been infuriating to watch but have also given me a sense of hope. If we are to address the evil which exists beneath the surface, it has to be revealed to everyone for exactly what it is, it has to be irrefutably proven. Similar to how the atrocities made against civil rights activists in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 shook the world and placed a spotlight on the moral bankruptcy of Jim Crow and segregation. My hopes are that global consciousness will be rudely awoken by the events which took place on the advent of summer 2020 and that a universal public outcry will rally a globally unified movement against racism. There has to be some kind of positive that comes from this which is tangible and sustained.
Nevertheless, the distinct racial hatred which has been bubbling and largely left unchecked by world leaders and major stakeholders throughout Donald Trump's Presidency has tarnished the reputation of the United States and perhaps all of Western Civilisation. This, however, is just one event in a long and complex saga of oppression that has engulfed the lives of millions of people for generations. The scars left behind by a trail of historical violence, coercion and exploitation are impossible to miss, especially for the communities who still live with the fallout of this shameful legacy.
What is my point here? How does this relate to you as an individual? My point is that this is OUR problem, this is not a black person problem or a brown person problem, it is a human problem. Most white people will accept the argument that at our core, people of all races are the same. Where many white people differ in opinion though, is our level of responsibility for the privileged positions we inhabit or the supposition that we are privileged at all in a "post-race" world. It is self-evident from recent events that we are not living in a "post-race" world, whatever that might imply.
I am not here to point fingers, I believe that the things that my racial group has done to others' are shameful, but I do not believe in shaming any individual. We live in a time where it is immensely difficult to admit one's own prejudices without fearing social repercussions. We as the privileged group, MUST shed our fear of these repercussions and be open to the perspectives of others. I have been prejudiced in my assumptions at times, I have made jokes in the past that were insensitive and ignorant. I have most likely done and said things that are racist, even if they were mildly racist and at the time seemed harmless, they were still racist.
Am I a racist? Well, that's not for me to decide, but I think this narrow question misses the point. We should not be focusing on racist people but instead, racist actions. We should be condemning statements, not the people who make them. We should educate people who do hold prejudices in some shape or form (which is most of us, regardless of race) on how to identify this, take a step back and say to ourselves. "Okay, I'm not being fair and considerate there am I? I made a mistake, let's fix this." I would confidently speculate that Black Lives Matter activists are far less concerned with your feelings of guilt about racism than they are about us having the courage to stand up to racism in all its forms.
Dehumanising other people during your daily life as you trudge through traffic or shove your way into a crowded train car or watch Trump supporters being interviewed is shockingly easy. Empathy, remembering that at the end of the day we are all human, that we all have our own stories and reasons for our beliefs whether they be right or wrong, giving each other a chance to find common ground and establish a dialogue. This is what the world needs right now, not division, not mistrust but instead compassion for our fellow human beings is how we heal our communities. Don't get me wrong, I'd take just as much satisfaction in punching a Nazi as you would, but converting a Nazi to the world of the sane would be far more satisfying to me.
I am encouraged by the huge display of solidarity that many young people in my social circles are displaying on social media and on the streets in peaceful protest. I am inspired to do my part and march as well, but perhaps there is more I can do still. Don't wait! Make yourself heard! There are people whose jobs it is to represent you!
If you live in the UK like me, consider using this website - www.writetothem.com - to contact your MP and express your opinions, demand that the UK immediately suspend its sales of tear gas, riot shields, and rubber bullets to the US, demand that the UK as a free democracy condemn President Trump's use of force and intimidation against his own citizens, and demand the release of reports on BAME Covid deaths to the public.
Much love, take care and be safe.
Jack
Comments
Post a Comment