Talking about race, racism and the structure of white supremacy is always hard. It’s an uncomfortable subject to broach. It “rocks the boat” as it were; it’s a major buzzkill and can seriously destroy any good vibe. I get it. It is especially difficult to talk about racism with some white people. Feelings of resentment and bitterness bubble and rise to the surface of nearly all race debates. But as much as it is uncomfortable, it is necessary. As I have said in my previous posts, race is killing us. It isn’t enough to not be racist. One must do so much more than avoid using ethnic slurs or have friends of a different ethnicity. One must be an active ally if things will ever change. So please do not read this list as an indictment against white people in general. Rather this should be read as areas which could stand some improvement. So without further adieu, I present the top 10 reasons why it is hard to discuss race with some white people
10. Whenever racism is brought up, some white folks get defensive. It’s almost as if they think PoC (People of Color) are calling THEM racists whenever the subject is broached.
9. Some white people bring up their personal and individual problems when white privilege is discussed, as if those problems somehow mitigate their privilege or remove it altogether.
8. Since white folks don’t EVER have to think about race, they have a singular consciousness and often consider complaints against racism as hyperbolic.
7. Some white people compare the Black Lives Matter movement to the Nazis or the KKK (I’m looking at you, Tomi Lahren).
6. White supremacy LOVES to pathologize the black community. So whenever police brutality is discussed, a common counter argument is so-called, “black-on-black” crime.
5. (I can’t believe this one is still used) Some racist whites don’t believe they’re racists because they have one or two black friends.
4. Some white people have no regard for culture outside of their own, so Native American headdresses are prime real estate for Halloween costumes. Black face, too.
3. White fragility.
2. Broaching the uncomfortable subject of white supremacy usually leads to some white folks wanting to discuss “black supremacy” and if there is such a thing, how it’s just as bad, if not worse, than white supremacy.
1. Some white people think they are more oppressed than PoC and that PoC are bigger racists than they are.
Does your head hurt yet?
Ronin Literati 