Conversations About Race and Racism Are Essential — Not Divisive

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For quite some time now, I’ve immersed myself in the study of racism. As a white American committed to combating racial prejudice, I’ve participated in various seminars and workshops aimed at healing racial divides since childhood. My free time often involves delving into the history of race relations in the United States, discussing the experiences of my friends and family members from minority backgrounds, and writing articles that explore the role of white individuals in the fight against racism.

While I may not be an expert, my familiarity with the topic leaves me perplexed by those who label discussions about race and racism as “divisive.” I frequently encounter this assertion in comment sections, and it never fails to astonish me. When individuals claim that Obama was “the most divisive president,” or when they suggest that racial tensions in America are exacerbated by discussions around injustices, it’s clear that we have an immense amount of work ahead of us.

In my quest for understanding, I’ve come to realize that some well-intentioned individuals believe that since we are all part of one human race (which is true), and since race is a social construct (also true), talking about race perpetuates racism (which is not true). Yes, race lacks a biological foundation, but it has had a significant impact throughout history. The narrative of race is deeply intertwined with America’s story, leading to countless instances of discrimination and oppression.

Ignoring race because it’s a social construct is like pretending a thorn in your foot isn’t there; it doesn’t make it disappear. Furthermore, many people genuinely struggle with how to engage in conversations about race and racism. Their discomfort can be misinterpreted as divisiveness. Discussing race can feel uncomfortable because it often leads to challenging dialogues. However, dealing with the implications of racism is infinitely more difficult, especially for people of color who have faced oppression for centuries.

White Americans have only recently begun to confront our subconscious biases and the privileges that come with them. When faced with discussions about racism, our instinct might be to respond defensively — “I’ve never enslaved anyone!” or “I don’t even see color!” But we must move beyond these defensive reactions to acknowledge that 1) racism exists regardless of our willingness to discuss it, and 2) it is primarily up to us to dismantle it in society. In the U.S., it is white individuals who need to take the lead in addressing this issue.

Those who deem conversations about race as divisive seem to forget just how recently we’ve been able to have these discussions openly. For most of history, minorities couldn’t safely voice their grievances. Take Rosa Parks, for example; she wasn’t just reprimanded for refusing to vacate her bus seat—she was arrested. Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr., the face of peaceful protest, faced arrest numerous times. We often overlook the harsh realities faced by these civil rights leaders as we celebrate their achievements.

While we have made progress in the last half-century, the journey toward racial equality is ongoing. People of color can now speak out against injustices, but that freedom is still relatively new. Imagine a child bullied on a playground. The teacher stops the bullies from physically harming him, but the bullies still block his access to the slide. If the teacher then tells him, “Stop complaining; you’re not being hurt anymore,” it illustrates the absurdity of dismissing discussions about racism as divisive. True unity cannot exist without justice, and we have a long way to go.

Conversations about racial injustice, institutional inequality, and the lasting effects of historical oppression are not divisive; they are essential. We cannot heal the wounds that racism has inflicted on our society if we refuse to engage in these discussions. These conversations may not be easy or comfortable, but they are crucial. Discomfort doesn’t equate to divisiveness; if we want to be part of the solution, we must embrace discomfort and engage in honest dialogues, one conversation at a time.

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In summary, discussing race and racism is not divisive but rather a necessary step toward achieving true unity and justice in our society. We must be willing to confront our discomfort and engage in these difficult conversations for the sake of progress.