When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like discrimination. And if you’re not outraged, you are not paying attention.
In light of recent events around the country and world, I thought it appropriate to to write a post sharing my opinion about how we in America need to be having the hard conversations, no matter how uncomfortable, charged or tiring we may find it.
I had an experience the week before Charlottesville with a friend of mine that made me start thinking about this. The last two weeks have solidified it; so many white people do not understand racism still exists. There are so many ways we as white people live our lives without realizing this, and because of our privilege, we can “believe race isn’t a factor” – simply because we know it isn’t one for us. Take when you think about teaching your kids lessons of life and the issue of race comes up. Many white parents don’t want to teach their kids about race in fears that it may clue them in on the fact racism does exist and “put ideas into their heads” about how being different may be bad. Because these kids are white, they are taught race does not matter, because it doesn’t matter to them. Conversely, children of color are explicitly talked to about their race as part of their socialization and understanding of the world. They are taught how they fit into the world, instead of being taught they are simply part of it.
Bringing this to Charlottesville, these alt-right protestors were not the old people we often write off for their racism “because they don’t know better”, they were young white men and women. Men and women who have had a black president for much of their life. Who had so much aggression and hatred built up they descended on a college campus and city with militia groups and gear, lit tiki torches and water bottles full of pee.
Let’s talk about what they were protesting, the removal of a confederate statute of Robert E Lee. This year, many different bills have been proposed around the US aimed at protecting these statues. Here is a map of the major bills pertaining to protecting “historical statues” under the premise of protecting memorials honoring the conservative soldiers, generals and the war.
What is confusing to me is why this is even a question of whether or not they should still be around. There is absolutely no reason for us to be celebrating something we should be ashamed of from our history. No other countries celebrate the worst things they have done. There are no statutes commemorating Hitler in Germany, despite the fact he and his actions are a huge part of Germany’s history. This is not about changing history, it is about choosing the history we celebrate. Ideologies of hatred are not something to be celebrated. We had this discussion as a nation last year pertaining to the confederate flag, see When Hate Cannot Be Heritage.
Another alarming factor to this issue are the bills being proposed to protect drivers from hitting protesters. As we all know, Heather Heyer lost her life being mowed down by a man part of the alt-right protest driving his car into the crowd of activists (counter protestors). These bills largely sprung from Black Lives Matter and Standing Rock demonstrations last year. Part of the issue with these “driver-immunity” laws is they resemble “stand your ground” laws – putting the burden of proof on the person who has suffered a casualty or injury. They also aim to discourage protest. This year, North Dakota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Florida and Rhode Island have proposed bills along these lines. For more information on protesting over the last year see Protesting: Sparking change or putting yourself in danger? See a statement from Heather’s mother at her memorial here.
The next issue pertaining to Charlottesville is the near refusal to attach the word “terrorism” to anything that isn’t Islamic. This is one of the worst things we’ve done in the English lexicon. Make no mistake, Charlottesville was terrorism. Terrorism is defined as the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. This. Is. What. Happened. It is crazy to me that years ago people used to have to cover their faces and protect their identity to voice opinions like this, and in Charlottesville, people were in public with no cover having pictures taken. How have we let these hateful rhetorics become so emboldened?
Photo From Town Hall
After Trump’s condemning violence “on many sides” I only have one thing to say. There is only one side. That is the side of people. Of respect. Of dignity. Of stopping oppression and being embarrassed of our actions as a country and working to move forward from these horrible moments, actions and ideals from our history. Racism is still here, there is no such thing as being “color blind”. We all see color and have implicit bias. It is what we decide to do about “seeing color” which matters. Strive for equality, do not chant with lit tiki torches “you will not replace us”. Hillary Clinton tweeted following Charlottesville “We will not step backward if this is not who we are as Americans, let’s prove it.”
The final point I want to make is something I saw circulating online that I believe is one thing we all as people, especially white people, need to take from this event. We, as white people, don’t need to spend our time trying to convince people of color we’re not racist in these moments. What we need to do is talk to white people about it. Educate them and call them out. Ignoring these actions or “disengaging” is an endorsement of them. “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented” – Elie Wiesel
I want my friends to understand that “staying out of politics” or being “sick of politics” is privilege in action.
Your privilege allows you to live in a non-political existence. Your wealth, race, abilities or gender allow you to live a life in which you likely will not be a target of bigotry, attacks, deportation or genocide.
You dont want to get political, you dont want to fight because your life and safety are not at stake.
It is hard and exhausting to bring up issues of oppression (aka “get political”). The fighting is tiring. I get it. But if you find politics annoying and you just want everyone to be nice – please know there are literally people fighting for their lives, livelihoods and right to exist.
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