‘Re-thinking race’
Those who are not white skinned, or who cannot pass as white skinned in our community suffer daily from the intentional and unintentional, the active and the passively complicit manifestations of racism. We whites wince at the notion of being called “racist.” Some of us go out of our way to show good, honorable deeds toward people of color. Yet the daily reality for people of color in Vermont, and in Windham County continues to be filled with subtle and blatant experiences of hostility, injustice, violence and oppression.
What will it take for us as white people to collectively stay the course, and to sit with the devastating results of a history based on non-negotiable facts of exploitation and slavery? What will it take for us to see clearly, and relinquish the reflexive defenses which keep us unwilling to acknowledge that racism occurs every day, in our beautiful, forward thinking and well intentioned towns? Why can’t we stay in the room, stay at the table, stay in relationships even when the heat is on? Why do we read statistics, outlining the warehousing of young African American and Latino men, serving unjust prison sentences for non-violent crimes, and not feel a sense of responsibility to participate in social change?
Racism is a part of every institution that exists in this country. It is inherent in our laws, our government, our schools, our health care system and our court rooms and keeps those of us who are white in key positions of power. It determines who gets prized and who gets punished. To deny this is to refuse to take responsibility for a toxic and painful inheritance that we as white people received, by virtue of our white privilege and the violent, oppressive behavior of our ancestors. Individually, we were not asked whether or not we wished to receive such privilege. Collectively, if we are ever to restore dignity to the experience of being white, or to actively change the systems, laws and social norms that perpetuate racism, we have work to do together.
There is nothing that shuts me down faster than the experience of being “preached” to in a self righteous manner. Sadly, I don’t have solutions or answers. I know that it is not simple, this situation we are all in. We have been steeped in the same oppressive tea. I am guilty on numerous occasions of sitting down in a group, noticing the alarming odor of dog poop, and wondering which of my neighbors stepped in it, only to find that the odor follows me home. As an adult, I have learned to check my own shoes first, before hurling accusations. In my anti-racism organizing efforts, I have made numerous mistakes, been guilty of “playing it safe,” feeling critical of those whose racist behaviors reflected my own, competing unconsciously with other whites to be the best ally (this one is particularly attractive), fallen flat on my face, and learned amazing truths in the process. I have had days, and weeks where the work felt too vulnerable, and too exposing of my own ignorance — I’ve been tempted to retract from the pain and humiliation I have felt, only to realize that to do so would be exercising my white privilege, because as a white woman, I can walk away from this work, without dire consequences. While the process hasn’t always been graceful, there is nothing that means more to me than an honest, passionate willingness to try. I know I am not alone in this.
Malcolm X said, “Where the really sincere white people have got to do their proving of themselves is not among the black victims, but out in the battle lines of where America’s racism really is, and that’s in their own communities.”
Donna Macomber
Deerfield, Mass., Aug. 28