1. Racists take many forms.
I think we all have in our mind some old angry white person with a confederate flag, screaming racial slurs at people of color or using derogatory language in their speech about people of color. The reality is that it doesn't always look like this. A racist can be that boy in your Spanish class or the girl who you saw in different groups you were in. They do not have to even show an inkling of hate or disdain at first. You may even like them, but eventually, it will come out. For far too long, we have seen racists as a fixed type of person that most people just don't fit the category for. Our mindset needs to change as we learn racists take many forms.
2.Phrasing is different, but ideas are the same
When looking at what people think and their core ideas, we have to see what is behind that. The same values that allow for white supremacy are that of the covert racist. A casual racist will phrase things much differently. They might say things like western culture is the best culture, but this is simply a code language for whiteness is the best. While they may not come out and say white people are inherently better. They will disparage nonwhite people and cultures and always highlight whiteness as the best.
3. It is okay to have emotions regarding it
I always felt that I should not get angry nor feel hurt, but it is okay to have emotions when people who supposedly care about you are making disparaging comments about your ethnicity. That hurts. I am not saying that you should let your emotions control you, but it is okay to be hurt. It is okay to be angry. It doesn't make you any less rational for having emotions about an issue. It just makes you human.
4. It isn't simply a difference of opinion
Many times, they will try to justify their racism as simply a difference of opinion. This takes an opinion that is the reason why people are being brutalized by police officers in the street or children are attending schools without adequate funding and losing out to preferring caramel to chocolate. Racism is not simply a difference of opinion it has tangible real-life effects. We cannot separate the world of ideas from reality. While they may think their belief of black criminality doesn't hurt anyone, it actually has real-world effects that cause people to lose their lives, get falsely convicted, and not adequately helped when victimized.
5. You can't make them change
Ultimately, no matter how much you desire them to change, it is up to God. No matter how much you put your heart on the line sharing your experiences and spend time sending them articles, suggesting books and movies. One has to realize you can only do so much. While they may not change now, you may plant seeds for future change. In addition, after telling and showing them the truth, they cannot say they believe a lie out of ignorance. It is willful and informed hatred. This says a lot more about them than you.
I think we all have in our mind some old angry white person with a confederate flag, screaming racial slurs at people of color or using derogatory language in their speech about people of color. The reality is that it doesn't always look like this. A racist can be that boy in your Spanish class or the girl who you saw in different groups you were in. They do not have to even show an inkling of hate or disdain at first. You may even like them, but eventually, it will come out. For far too long, we have seen racists as a fixed type of person that most people just don't fit the category for. Our mindset needs to change as we learn racists take many forms.
2.Phrasing is different, but ideas are the same
When looking at what people think and their core ideas, we have to see what is behind that. The same values that allow for white supremacy are that of the covert racist. A casual racist will phrase things much differently. They might say things like western culture is the best culture, but this is simply a code language for whiteness is the best. While they may not come out and say white people are inherently better. They will disparage nonwhite people and cultures and always highlight whiteness as the best.
3. It is okay to have emotions regarding it
I always felt that I should not get angry nor feel hurt, but it is okay to have emotions when people who supposedly care about you are making disparaging comments about your ethnicity. That hurts. I am not saying that you should let your emotions control you, but it is okay to be hurt. It is okay to be angry. It doesn't make you any less rational for having emotions about an issue. It just makes you human.
4. It isn't simply a difference of opinion
Many times, they will try to justify their racism as simply a difference of opinion. This takes an opinion that is the reason why people are being brutalized by police officers in the street or children are attending schools without adequate funding and losing out to preferring caramel to chocolate. Racism is not simply a difference of opinion it has tangible real-life effects. We cannot separate the world of ideas from reality. While they may think their belief of black criminality doesn't hurt anyone, it actually has real-world effects that cause people to lose their lives, get falsely convicted, and not adequately helped when victimized.
5. You can't make them change
Ultimately, no matter how much you desire them to change, it is up to God. No matter how much you put your heart on the line sharing your experiences and spend time sending them articles, suggesting books and movies. One has to realize you can only do so much. While they may not change now, you may plant seeds for future change. In addition, after telling and showing them the truth, they cannot say they believe a lie out of ignorance. It is willful and informed hatred. This says a lot more about them than you.
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