Are you racist?
It’s sad, that so many people are caught up in the words racism and racist. These are words that describe a specific situation or quality in a society or a person. They do not describe the whole of society or the person, just a specific aspect. For the most part, these words are used as a view from the outside, so in many ways they feel derogatory when used. Rarely would you hear someone declare themselves a racist; although in some circles it may be appropriate. What makes these words sad, are that they are often a starting point for positive talk about the nature of society or ourselves. And because they are considered derogatory, the talk stops at that point and one or the other side shuts down.
I am a white straight man living in the USA. As such, I have advantages over other people including people of color, women, the disabled, LGBTQ and those of other races. These advantages include the justice system, education, health care, financial and nearly every aspect of society. Even with those advantages, that does not mean my life was or is easy. We all carry scars and burdens from our lives. Some of those scars and burdens were of our own doing and some just happened. I am not financially wealthy nor will I be “retiring from work” before the age of 70. My retirement will probably not be easy and I will very likely work till the day I die. So just because I am white, it does not mean my life is easy nor is it any easier than any other person. However, my life definitely was much easier because of my white skin than is the life of nearly anyone of color, women, disabled, LGBTQ or of another race. I realize that sounds at odds with itself, but it is the truth. That is what systemic racism is all about.
Some folks will say that I am racist just because my skin is white. That is not completely true. What makes me racist is that I am a white, straight male and I live in a society where systemic racism favors white, straight males. I cannot help it. It matters not that I believe in equality for all people. It matters not that I believe that the ERA should have been ratified decades ago. It matters not that I believe the government should not have it’s hands in the private lives of LGBTQ folks and be able to make determinations on who can marry whom. It matters not how socially progressive I am or even if I stand up regularly for the disadvantaged. In this society, at this time, I am racist.
I hate it. I hate that I have felt that the USA was moving in a positive direction since the 1960s only to find that I was completely wrong about us. I hate that I have to admit that the USA is full of racist beliefs and that my ignorance to the depth of it has probably fueled those beliefs. I hate that my love for all people has been overshadowed by systemic racism. I hate it. However, I do not have time for that hate. I need to find a way to move toward unity and love. And I hope that some folks in the USA feel similarly and want to move toward TRUE EQUALITY.
If we are to move forward, we must all understand the systemic racism that is deeply embedded in our society. We must take responsibility for it and shed it like dead skin. We must choose leaders who fight for equality, love and unity. We must choose to make positive changes in our justice system, education system, and health system. We must choose to honor the light within each and every person no matter the color of their skin, gender, gender preference, ability, religion or race.
If you believe similarly, then you must go and vote this November and choose the leaders who will show compassion for all people, leaders who will raise us all up and fight to honor the words our forefathers wrote over 200 years ago, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Please do not be caught up in the words racism or racist; instead focus on the words equality, love, compassion and unity. Everyday is a new chance to move forward. Let’s do it, together.
