Racism is a pandemic
I’m embarrassed to admit I've only recently began to understand that racism is still alive and well and that I do in fact have privilege. It started a couple years ago when I read the book, "The Third Option" by Miles McPherson. I was blinded and naive because of my own experiences, or lack thereof. I have a lot to learn, especially as I am now raising a son who is black. I’ve only noticed things because it is now a real part of my life. I’ve also learned that my opinions and beliefs on this topic tend to be ignorant and the only way change is going to happen is if the white community truly begins to listen. Listen without an agenda. Listen to learn and understand. Listen to … your black friends … and if you don’t have any, shut up!
White people - are we helping or hurting with the way we are responding to the outcry from our black brothers and sisters?
As a white, middle class male, I haven’t experienced racism or been profiled. I haven’t had to deal with stereotypical jokes. I don’t have to worry about where I go or about being out late. I wasn’t even aware of my own city’s redlining until I actually got involved.
I never even thought about white privilege until I became aware of it through raising a black son. It’s hard to notice something that doesn’t affect you negatively. It’s subtle but it’s there. Like how much harder it is to find children’s books with black children. This wasn’t even a thought with my daughter. Or when my son cut his toe and I opened the first aid kit to get out the “flesh-colored” bandaids that only matches one type of flesh. Or searching for hair products in a much smaller, separated aisle labeled “ethnic hair care” away from the much larger hair aisle labeled “hair care.”
If you’re white and you read that, your response is probably one of two: The first one says get over it, rolls their eyes, or has some kind of ignorant response. The second wakes up and realizes, wow, I would have never noticed until you just pointed it out. These may be minor but this is just the beginning of a system that creates hills for the black community to climb.
If you don’t think white privilege is a thing, text a black friend and ask about it. If you don’t have a black friend you’re willing to text, there’s a problem. How can you have an opinion on a topic that doesn’t involve the minority in the conversation? How can you bring change when you aren’t willing to listen to the other side, let alone sit together over a shared meal? It’s hard to learn from people you aren’t friends with. If you don’t have friends of a different race, you shouldn’t speak your opinions on race topics. I’m not an expert on this subject. I’m learning...
If you want to learn too, here’s what you can do…
Learn the language. Don’t get offended by the phrases “white privilege” or “black lives matter”. If they trigger you, welcome to what our black brothers and sisters have been dealing with their whole lives. For the record - the black lives matter movement is not saying all lives don’t matter or that blue lives don’t matter. That misses the whole point!!! All lives don’t have privilege. All lives don’t experience racism. All lives don’t experience hatred. The point of black lives matter is to end racism and prejudice. It’s about fighting for equality.
Listen. Ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance is a problem.
Don’t let your discomfort cause you to disengage.
Stand up for what is right. It shouldn’t take a social media uprising to arrest the two murderers of Ahmaud Arbery. If you’re relieved these men have been arrested, you’ve missed it. The fact these two were free for several months is the problem. That’s the system that is flawed.
Christians - we know where Jesus stands on this issue. He stands on the side of the marginalized. Do you?