Throughout my life, I’ve dedicated a significant amount of time to understanding racism. As a white American raised with the belief in actively combating racial prejudice, I’ve participated in workshops and seminars focused on healing racial divides since childhood. In my free time, I’ve delved into the history of race relations in our nation and engaged in meaningful conversations with friends and family from minority backgrounds to learn about their experiences. I’ve even penned articles about the role of white individuals in the fight against racism.
While I don’t consider myself a definitive authority on the topic, I’m bewildered by those who label discussions about race and racism as “divisive.” This term frequently pops up in comment sections, leaving me speechless each time. When people claim that Obama was “the most divisive president we’ve ever had,” or suggest that he exacerbated racial tensions, it becomes evident that we have a long way to go in addressing this issue.
In my attempts to understand others’ perspectives, I think some well-meaning individuals believe that since there is only one human race (which is true) and that race is a social construct (which is also true), discussions surrounding race perpetuate racism (which is not true).
Although race lacks biological underpinnings, the social construct of race has profoundly influenced history, particularly in America. The repercussions of this construct include countless instances of prejudice, discrimination, and oppression, alongside shaping individual and collective identities. Ignoring race does not make it disappear; it continues to impact society.
Moreover, many people simply struggle with how to discuss race and racism, interpreting their discomfort as divisiveness. Conversations about race can indeed be challenging and may not always lead to harmonious dialogue. However, confronting racism is far more difficult for those who have been on the receiving end of it for centuries. White Americans have only recently been prompted to confront their inherent biases and the systemic advantages they hold. It’s understandable that discussions about racism can elicit defensiveness, leading to phrases like, “I never enslaved anyone!” or “I don’t even see color!”
Yet, it’s crucial to move past these defensive reactions to acknowledge that racism persists regardless of whether we engage in conversation about it, and that white people bear significant responsibility in dismantling it. In the United States, the burden of addressing racism falls primarily on white individuals. We have inherited the challenges and are entrenched in the structures of institutional power.
Those who view discussions about race as divisive seem to forget our history. For much of it, minorities haven’t had the freedom to voice their grievances without facing severe repercussions. Take Rosa Parks, for instance; she faced arrest for her courageous act of defiance. Or consider Martin Luther King Jr., who was jailed numerous times while advocating for peace. These realities often fade from our sanitized narratives of civil rights history.
While we’ve made strides toward racial equality in the last fifty years, the ability of people of color to speak out against injustice is still relatively new. And socially, we still face significant barriers.
To illustrate, imagine a child bullied on the playground—his tormentors prevent him from approaching the slide. After enough complaints, the teacher intervenes, stopping the physical bullying. However, the child still faces obstacles whenever he tries to use the slide. When he talks to the teacher about it, she’s dismissive, telling him, “Stop complaining. You’re not being hurt anymore. You can play wherever you want. You’re just being divisive.” This scenario mirrors the reality of discussing racism today. True unity cannot exist without justice, and we haven’t achieved that yet.
Pointing out racial injustices or institutional inequalities is not divisive. How can we tackle these issues if we ignore them? Healing the wounds of racism requires open dialogue, even when it’s uncomfortable. These conversations are essential and critical, even if they challenge us.
Discomfort doesn’t equal divisiveness. To contribute to the solution, we must embrace discomfort. Genuine unity lies beyond our unease, but we cannot reach it without engaging in honest, albeit uncomfortable, discussions.
For more insights, check out our posts on intracervical insemination and find expert information from Make a Mom on home insemination. Additionally, if you’re seeking excellent resources on pregnancy, visit NHS.
In summary, discussing race and racism is not a divisive act but a necessary step toward fostering understanding and healing within our society. We must engage in these challenging conversations to pave the way for a more equitable future.