So You Want To Talk About Race

So You Want To Talk About Race

Adult nonfiction
"...The most common definitions of racism (in my own summation)
are as follows: (1) Racism is any prejudice against someone because
of their race. Or (2) Racism is any prejudice against someone because
of their race, when these views are reinforced by systems of power..."
In So You Want To Talk About Racism Ijeoma Oluo (quoted above)
shows that the difference between the two definitions is more than the
matter of a few added words. It makes a world of difference in how
whites (the we I'm part of) define and deal with the problem. Seeing
prejudice as purely a matter of individuals puts us in a world of bad
people and good people. Bad people burn crosses, throw rocks through
windows, and post hate filled content on the Internet. Good people
don't. So if you don't have a white robe in your closet and you
confront or try to win over racist relatives over Thanksgiving turkey
you're off the hook and can bask in your goodness. The second
definition makes life a lot more complex. We have to realize that
since slave traders started kidnapping and selling blacks there has
been a lot of financial gain in keeping non white people in "their"
place and demonizing them to justify this practice. That racist
relative? Let's call him Officer Smith. He grew up in a racist
society. He received a very white washed education. His police
department sees blacks (especially hoodie wearing teenage boys) as
dangerous thugs. So even if you overwhelm him with facts and logic or
win his heart you haven't done a damn thing to change the system that
shaped him. In this context our goodness or badness is irrelevant and
our making this all about us and our feelings a dangerous
distraction. Only one thing matters. Are we doing all we can to
learn and share the truth about and totally dismantle the whole damn
system?
I love the book. It is truth telling at its best. If you, like
me, are one of the whites who want to help dismantle the deadly system
of oppression from which we undeservedly benefit you need to buy the
book, not just borrow it once. Refer to it often.
One reason to do so is it makes comprehensible a lot of topics
that are bandied around in conversation, generally generating more
heat than light. Privilege is a key one. Having unearned privilege
does not make you a bad person. Sure, realizing our achievements
aren't all about hard work and talent invalidates the concept that
life in America is fair and just. Well, it isn't. Privilege and hard
work are not mutually exclusive. Students in AP classes work hard for
their grades. However, they are also fortunate enough to have these
classes offered, afford the considerable end of year exam fee, and
have access to the materials and human resources they need and the
time and quiet space to study. Examining privilege is not only
enlightening, but a way to discover how you can leverage it to make
change. The privilege of having a blog gives me a chance to make
readers aware of important books about racism and/or by nonwhite
authors. The privilege of regular space for opinion pieces in a
newspaper read by tens of thousands gives me a chance to keep
explaining white privilege and its total wrongness.
"The possibilities of where you can leverage your privilege to
make real, measurable change toward a better eirjf are endless. Every
day you are given opportunities to make the world better by making
yourself a little uncomfortable and asking, 'Who doesn't have the same
freedom or opportunity I'm enjoying now?' These daily interactions are
how systems of oppression are maintained, but with awareness they can
be how we tear these systems down."
If that isn't empowering, I don't know what is. Some of the
other topics covered include police brutality, intersectionality, and
microaggressions.
As important as talking honestly about racism is, it must be
coupled with action. Oluo realizes that such a complex system may
seem too big to tackle. There are, however, many manageable steps we
can take. She gives us plenty of practical ideas. So I'm closing
this review with yet another quote.
"All around the country people are effecting real change with
small actions. Change that improves the lives of people of color in
their towns and cities and weakens an oppressive system. Racial
oppression starts in our homes, our offices, our cities and our
states, and it can end there as well. So start talking, not just
probems, but solutions. We can do this, together."
On a personal note, I'll be working, struggling with schoolwork,
keeping up with the cooking/cleaning/laundry stuff. My birthday is
Friday. I'll be working lunch and supper shifts. My birthday dinner
will be divine.
Great big shout outs go out to my school friends who are helping me
with computer stuff and the amazing people at work who are teaching me
so much! You are all the cat's pajamas!


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