A White Racist -- Committed to "A More Perfect Union"
I am white and I am a racist.
It's not on an academic level. On that level I would challenge any white person I know to be more aware and outraged by both the history of racial injustice in our nation and it's current manifestations.
It's on a gut level. As profound as if I were George Wallace standing in the doorway at the University of Alabama.
I don't know if any of my white friends feel any of the feelings that I do. As much as race is a third rail of American politics, openly admitting to gut level racism, if it is there, is not a something I've ever heard discussed among them. I hesitate, greatly, to admit it on this wonderful day of Barack Obama's wonderful speech. I am not sure if discussing what is ugly is on the path towards accomplishing what can be beautiful.
I did not grow up in a family where racial epitaphs were heard, not ever. I did not grow up in a family where my father's career was stymied by affirmative action. I accompanied my parents when they went to marches for fair housing and to support civil rights. My parents named my brother Paul Robert, in honor of Paul Robeson.
As a man, I have worked for many social, progressive and political causes, some strongly linked to racial injustice -- death penalty abolition, repeal of the "3 strikes law" criminal justice for juveniles.
And yet, examples of my racism are many. When the cable stations champion the cause of a white girl murdered in a "safe neighborhood" and ignore the fate of an African American girl who has died on the same day in the Inglewood, I am furious. But there is a disconnect. I find it easier to sympathize for the family of the white girl. I feel even that the white family feels the loss more. Again, that is only one of many examples.
I have lots to offer to get me off the hook. There is the most clichéd of defenses: I feel complete comfort and connection with my own African American friends. Networks do only cover the white girl's murder. It's easier to relate to what is most easily apparent. For every example of my prejudices, there is probably a rationale.
But, I must take the responsibility and I am appalled by my bigotry, even more than I am appalled when a friend refuses to understand the inequities of the criminal justice system or the code words of divineness spoken by our presidential candidates.
I ask myself, if I were a student at Little Rock High School, would I have spit on the nine black students or offered a hand in friendship. I am sure I would have been among the latter. But, in many ways it's easier to rise up against the most obvious of oppression with action, than to rise up against inner racism by self-examination.
I can imagine my African American friends reading this and dismissing me from their lives. But if Barack Obama is willing to put his candidacy on the line to say that the issue of race cannot be ignored, "not this time," than admitting amongst my white friends to our ugliness is not too much to ask. If admitting it in a way that ultimately dispels the feelings rather than binding them to us and making them our private haven against evolving, than it will be a good thing. If, with some candor, self-awareness and apology, we can admit it to the African Americans in our lives and move forward with more hope than if we did not, it might be a very good thing.
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I am still waiting for Michelle Obama to come out and publicly denounce her Reverends mentality. Didn't we want to know ALL about Hillary Clinton when she was the candidate for First Lady back when Bill was running? Shouldn't we hear from our potential First Lady what she thinks about the Reverend and why she felt it was okay to drag her to young children to his sermons? I personally think (like with most familys) one of the spouses chose what paster you are going to listen to or what church you are going to attend, and in the Obama family it is obvious to me that Michelle make all the family decisions. When are we going to examine what she is all about?
Thank you for your comments and candor. I agree 100%. People don't want to admit that they have prejudices but we all do. I am a 50 year AA woman, who grew up seeing, experiencing and sometimes participating in prejudice situations.
We want to sit around with our head in the sand and act as if doesn't exist or moreso, that if we don't talk about it, it will go away. It won't go away, so we need to deal with it. Senator Obama's speech brought some things home that people find difficult to digest, because he made us focus on our own beliefs.
If you say that you have never participated in any type of prejudice, then you are fooling yourselves - we all have. Some of us may not call it prejudice, but "just the way I was raised." I was raised mostly in the South and the reason that I say mostly is because the first part of my life, I lived as a "military brat". My father, fortunately or unfortunately, was usually stationed on military bases outside of the United States and the prejudices we experienced in these countries were not so much black or white, but American vs. Non-American. Upon moving to the United States, I then started to experience the racial divide.
Growing up in our own environments, we have heard all types of racial slurs, we either agreed or disagreed; some we condoned and some we didn't. Oh yes, we did. Some were thrown at us and some we threw. I had an experience as an young adult that I would like to share. I became employed at a very prestigious white ivy league University as a computer analyst some 20 years ago. The University had a wonderful dining hall and on my first day, I thought I would enjoy breakfast. As I walked into the Dining Hall and go to the cashier, a 60ish white lady, I was informed that I needed to go into another room because breakfast was free to me today. Naturally surprised because everyone else walked through and paid without the free breakfast announcement, I questioned as to why I would be receiving free breakfast on that day. She stated emphatically, that today was orientation for the HOUSEKEEPING staff and WE were all to receive free breakfast. Now, I guess everyone can imagine the shock on her face when I informed her that I worked in the computer department. At first, I was insulted and angry, not that I think Housekeeping is such a lowly profession, let me explain that before I get kicked for the statement, but I got angry because she automatically stereotyped me, based solely on the color of my skin. Was she trying to be mean, malicious or racist, no, that was just how she was raised. She viewed me based on her experience. We are not talking about 1950 we are talking about 1987. I worked at that university for about 10 years and witnessed great change. Why, because the people WANTED it to change. The lady in the dining hall became someone that greeted me everyday after our first encounter. Now, would I call her racist, no, but my father and many others like him would. A stereotypical comment like that would have sent him over the deep end. Why, because of his experiences. He grew up during military segregation, race riots and civil rights movements.
If we in this generation, don't decide to change our way of thinking, by understanding the experiences of ourselves and others, there will always be a divide. We won't even start moving in that direction until someone like Senator Obama and others make this country stand up and change the way we think, we act and how we respond. Everyone seems to be appalled at the words of Pastor Wright and Geraldine F. Come on, this is not the first time you have heard someone say something like that. Senator Obama could not control what came out of his Pastor's mouth anymore that I could have controlled the things that came out of my father's mouth. We decide what we embrace and what we throw away. Does that make the whole person bad, no, it means that I may disagree with this one area of your life.
We all have experienced walking across the street when we see someone coming our way that makes us uncomfortable and experienced someone walking across the street when they see us.
Oh and by the way Johnathan, your friends will still be your friends, because you can bet most of them already know how you feel and they like you anyway.
In my opinion, this took courage.
On my own level, I will admit that fear of difference sits in all of us. Even after living in Chicago for 5 years, now that I've moved back to Wisconsin and am situated amongst a very white community, whenever a black person walks out of the grocery store I notice. Then I get upset at myself for noticing (by notice, I mean there's a mental double-take) - and then I'm uncomfortable and forcing myself to NOT avert my eyes and to make a friendly greeting if eye contact is made.
Not because I have anything against any skin color or ethnicity - but because the mind is trained to notice differences, and I have lost that comfort zone I had when surrounded by a mix of people. While people live divided by race in communities, there will be that divide in the brain that makes us instinctually react at least slightly differently to those who look different than ourselves.
It's a hard thing to understand and come to accept. Even when you intellectually fight hard against it, some reactions are beyond your control.
Again, I applaud Jonathan's courage.
I don't have white guilt and I do not want a leader of this great country to encourage white guilt and feed off it to get votes. I dislike religion and see this new religious left movement for Obama to be as dangerous as the religious right was for the Republican Party.
I like the movement for the working class. I am working class and my vote will go to the person who best represents my interest in jobs and benefits for the working class.
I was for Joe Biden and John Edwards in the beginning of this primary election cycle. By the time of my caucus in Colorado, I had two candidates to choose from. I had already decided that Obama was the opportunistic candidate - egocentric to the extreme. I consider Obama dangerous because of what he encourages in his followers - vote for me not with your mind or you are a racist.
Obama delivered Ferrara's words to the media. His campaign made a big deal out of them - just like they did with Bill words about Obama's voting history on the Iraq War. Then his campaign made a big fuss about Hillary's words about LBJ and partnerships between the races to achieve results. He obviously wants no criticism or he thinks it is quite acceptable to intimidate other Democratic voters with charges of racism. To me, that attitude is very dictatorial.
The way he got most of his delegates is also dictatorial to me. Half of his delegate count come from caucus states, like mine. Going to my caucus was one of the horrible experiences in my life. Obama supporters were very hard booted - very evangelistic. They were not concerned with helping people vote. I want a new Voting Rights Act to prevent something like this from ever happening again in the Democratic nominating process. All I have is my vote. I do not have grandiose ideas any longer about being able to affect change any other way. And that is fine. I deeply appreciate the right to vote for a leader to represent me. What a terrible experience Obama supporters have given me.
Um, hey. This is NOT about race damn it. It's about an opportunity. Not just for black americans, for all americans. NO. I liked the speech, but I already feel this way. I have already practised it. I took discrimination from other races, and then there were those who were of other color who thought it crazy that their own whould think such a way. I know the history of black americans. It was taught in my school and I grew thinking it was not okay.
So, this is NOT news to me. The speech is not over inspiring to me personally. It did not convince me of anything but that it may make more people think. It did, and in a nut shell it does not mean he can do the job.
I applaud your recognition of your own short comings when it comes to the issue of race....No
Not sure where you're going with this. Maybe this confessional is best shared among your friends. Start there because I honestly don't care for it. I do care that you're willing to admit it publicly, but why didn't you just email your friends and report on the progress rather than blind-side them here, which makes you come across as thoughtless, rather than sensitive to your friend's feelings.
That took guts. I think part of the problem is that no one wants to admit to being a "racist" (what the heck does a racist look like, anyway?) but that absolutely no white person in this country can get to adulthood without acquiring racist attitudes. So when (for example) Geraldine Ferraro says something racist, she can get all mad: "I'm not a racist!"
How about this: nobody cares what the label is. If you do or say something racist, you do or say something racist. Period, full stop. Not having been racist in the past does not buy you a free pass to do and say racist stuff in the future.
Nothing is going to improve if we can't examine our own attitudes and work together towards a better future. Remember Desmond Tutu's "Truth and Reconciliation Commission?"
That did take guts. My grandfather was the most fervent racist i ever met. and he was married to a full blooded indian. interesting how deep this all goes.
You know, my husband who is White, calls the show "I Love New York 2" a n****r show, when he gets drunk. He would never say that otherwise, and he doesn't see himself as racist, but you tell me.
I really appreciate this post and the candor within. I think this brutal honesty is part of the discussion that needs to take place in order to heal wounds and become whole as a nation.
As a black American I have had a situation occur in my life that might give you some hope. Some time ago I overheard some very close friends of mine as well as others listening to a very racist joke told by a mutual acquaintance. This particular joke referred to all black people by that unspeakable term. They didn't realize I was there and didn't notice that I saw some of them laugh and others sit indifferently without any protest as if someone sneezed. It was actually like a slow motion moment out of a movie for all parties involved. Naturally, I was angry but I decided to confront them on this. I brought the issue out in the open and let them know how I felt about it as well as how it reflected on their thoughts about me. They knew that I wasn't hypersensitive about race but they also knew that I simply didn't associate with racists or people who toss about prejudiced notions so easily. I simply could have walked away from them forever and rightfully so. I was truly torn as to what to do as I cared for these friends deeply. I asked them point blank after everything we had been through if they saw me as a sub-human or a valued friend. By bringing their callous indifference out in the open I am convinced that they learned something about themselves, blacks and other minorities, as well as something about friendship. I learned that caring for someone allows you to forgive. More so, after lengthy discussion I learned why some people sit indifferently even when confronted with language and ideas they disagree with or abhor.
I am not so naive to think that my friends are 'cured' of all prejudice and bias forever, but it was a step, and for our group of friends a major step in the right direction. As uncomfortable as it might have made them feel this dialog had to take place or the friendship was over They knew that I was serious and was not joking around so they reeled in their dread over being confronted with racial issues and opened up to a deeper conversation.
I want to highlight the fact that Jonathan Leigh Solomon has made a pioneering step in this arduous journey that lies ahead for our country and I'm willing to walk it with him even if it's just here on this comment at the Huffington Post. The point is that through dialog together we are better able to understand each other and begin to mend fences. I think that this is very relevant to Obama's point, and the overall message of his speech as this openness must take place on a national level. If you didn't take that away from Obama's message then this is precisely where the disconnect lies between racial groups in this country.
P.S. Hopefully your black friends don't abandon you for your honesty as it is a clear reflection of your desire to grow on a personal level and to better your relationship with them and others.
As important as addressing the kind of situation identified in in marcusau2's comment is confronting ugly, belittling remarks made in our presence by members of our own race (or religion) -- a situation that is likely to arise far more often than offensive remarks made in the presence of members the group that is the butt of such remarks. I have sometimes had to tell guests that I don't permit such talk in my house and why. Their reaction is usually to be startled and then apologetic. I don't know whether confronting prejudice in this way makes any difference in the attitudes of the person confronted. I only know that silence is tantamount to condoning such attitudes.
Would you say the same is true from your black friends? Would it be safe to say that it goes both ways? That many AA's have made comments about white people, grouping all together as one? Listen, I think this is a fair and important subject to discuss. But not for our presidential nominees, or at least not as a major issue. We are at war, we have an economy in a huge crisis, we have a housing crisis, we have an insurance crisis. Solving or making steps in doing away with racism is a noble cause that everyone should care about, but should not be the biggest concern of the president, not right now at least. Ask a person who lost there job or there house and can't afford to feed there family, ask the single mother working two jobs, just to barely make ends meat for her children, ask the married couple who has a sick children whom they can't afford the proper medical care, etc. etc. Now imagine that they are either white or black. Do you think there biggest issue in this election is better race relations? Of course not. So while I commend Obama for the words of his speech, even though it was done for political reasons, he can not win this election on the issue of better race relations, and me personally I find it pretty disingenious of him to choose now to have this speech. It was done to deflect the damage of his preacher, if he truley wanted to make this stand and be a champion on this cause, then he should have done this a long time ago.
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To be quite honest with you I have not had many black friends in my life. I guess it's because I group up in an area that was predominately white. As a result many black people may have found it difficult to identify with me and my experiences and vice versa. This trend has continued throughout much of the course of my life. Needless to say, I have encountered many black people in my in later years (I'm only 27) that I have become friends with as I ventured out into the world. For me it is offensive for black people to make derogatory comments about white people that lump all whites together. Obviously, from my experiences I am in a position to the see the double standard. However, I must point out that it is one thing for a black person to say he doesn't trust whites or something of the sort. It's another thing for a white person to insinuate that blacks are altogether sub-human. Both comments are probably born from a lack of interaction with the other group. The black persons distrust of whites doesn't prevent whites from success in any way. The white person's comment can obviously limit the mobility of any black they encounter in their life if they are in a dominate role, and chances are this is the case. These two discriminatory views have existed since slavery and have simply moved throughout history to today. There have been changes to the extent to which people to subscribe to them, but it's clear that these views have persisted since the beginning.
Having said all of this the question is what do we do about it? Do blacks who disagree with the sentiment sit idly by and not recount their positive experiences and friendships with whites? Do whites sit indifferently when a family member, coworker, or friend demeans an entire group of people? We should bring this out in public discourse. We should have a very public dialog about this and whites shouldn't be afraid or uncomfortable in doing so. Especially whites who hold resentments against blacks or believe they are the root of all of societies ills. These people should be jubilant over an opportunity to express their grievances publicly. Blacks because of their subservient (at least in many cases) status have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. I guess it's incumbent on whites to agree to this since they are the majority in this country. They could continue on with their daily lives as if there were nothing wrong or they can address what's on their mind and we can begin to move on to addressing the issues as a nation that you wish Obama were focused on.
Ummmm.... not everyone is racist. Some of us have absolutely NO racist bones in our bodies. Given that something as benign as SKIN PIGMENT seems to still perplex the morality and perceptions of people today is not amazing, just sad. People looking different, smelling different, cooking different foods, and wearing different hats... what is new? Of course, I prefer some smells, some foods, and hey... even some hats MORE than others, and yes that is discrimination and prejudice.
Some points can be made about the specific nature of American socio-political race issues, as well as the undeniable institutional, systemic, and sometimes overly subtle threads of racism that still exist today. So surely, people DO need to grow up with regards to "skin pigment", as well as what 'set of genitals' one has, or what country one was lucky or unlucky enough to be born in... as well as living among various religions, dealing with topics such as war and nationalism, and other similar sentimental elements of our culture. (and yes, pigment does not equate to race, but get real... it is COLOR among any physical differences that makes people act like immature and afraid beings)
I grew up white in the 50's and 60's in the south. I do not consider myself a racist., however I do occasionally see vestiges of my cultural conditioning in some of my reactions and responses, much like what you describe in your article. (I could relate to Obama's reference to his white grandmother in his speech.) I catch myself when I react that way, and I remind myself that that is not who I am, but I cannot deny that those reactions are there.
A neighborhood meeting, back in the '60s. Stokely Carmichael (AKA Kwame Toure) was there. A young woman stood up and asked him how she could best "fight racism." He said, recognize that it's in you too. It's in me. It's in all of us. Fight it there.
Wow what BS that is. I'm not a racist I'm a realist. My grandparents came to this country in the 20's and lived in rural PA. I respect those who respect me. But I do get sick and tired of the reverse racism in this country that is accepted, whether it's a black comedian poking fun of goofy white guys or the main stream media inability to be critical of AA candidates because they fear being called a racist. Just look at the coverage the past two days on MSNBC, compared to the 3 days of coverage over Gerry Ferrio. They lumped HRC in with Gerry's comments and attacked her based on those comments. Yet, with Obama they bend over backwards to make sure they say that he doesn't have those views or think that way. Then Obama has the balls to lump Gerry F's comments in with those of his REV. This double standard is what helps keep up those imaginary walls. I feel bad about what happenned in this country to AA's, and American Indians for that matter, and I feel sorry for what happens in Rawanda and what happenned in Europe under Hitler. BUt I'll be damned if I'm going to apologize for the color of my skin, something that I had no choose over., and for crimes of the past that my family had nothing to do with. My family came from a small fishing town in Italy, they were lower income hard working family, that worked there asses off to support there family. And they instilled values to there children, like hard work, family and do onto others in which you want done onto you. So while I sympathise, and while I want everyone to have the same oppurtunities, my concersn are raising my kids, taking care of my family and hopefully making sure my kids have a better life then me. I won't apologize for that.
Racism is a universal term which should be applied to ANYONE who discriminates against, or attacks ANYONE else of a different race. Terms like "reverse racism" shouldn't exist. Whether its coming from whites, blacks, hispanics, asians, or native americans its still racism.
Like the term "white trash" as opposed to what regular (black) trash?
Sen. Obama did this country a service today -- like it or not. I truly believe that most people are tried of the division in this country (I certainly am) especially when it comes to race. We are all suffering with the same problems regardless to race and gender. Division is what has keeps this country from being the great country we can be. We boast about what a great country we are but in fact its only because we have the biggest military and ecominic power, but take that away who are we?
So you think he changed things with his speech?
Check out the Murtha thread. Note the number of people who attacked him based on his age.
And these are Obama supporters all pumped up on hope.
Ah, that passive-aggressive pity card again.
Yes, those bland snarks about Murtha being an old guy are shocking, and certainly on par with our country's history of slavery and disenfranchisement.
Ann, you are forever the cynic, aren't you?
from one CA girl to another.
goodness gracious the man isn't saying that he changed things, or could wave a magic wand and swish it all away. he's saying that we can take steps to have it be better, and that now is a good time to do that. what he is simply doing is challenging us all to tap that thing in ourselves that can help things be better - you know, the ol' "do what you can, where you are with what you have" thing.
you don't have to believe "in" Obama, Ann -- but for goodness' sake at least believe in yourself.
Stunning comment. Thank you. How I'd hate to admit that, or recognize it in myself. Ouch, ouch, ouch. I hope I will have your courage and honesty in looking.
Senator Obama's speech, his actions, and comments like yours have radically changed the conversation. Painful and a relief. If stuff like this catches on, we might be in danger of real change! Thanks for your courage in leading.
I admire your courage, but I have to disagree with you, and with the others here who claim that they are racist. Racism is about feeling an entitlement to the exercise of power, especially in relation to an inferior group. You obviously aren't doing that, and neither is the fellow who claims to be a "black racist."
Sure, we feel uncomfortable with people who are not like us. That's a species trait that may feed into racism, but it isn't racism per se. I'd be willing to bet that you'd feel the same level of discomfort if you were shoved in the middle of a flock of Japanese businessmen as you would feel if you were shoved into the middle of a raucus black sermon on Sunday morning. For that matter, I'd bet you'd feel exactly the same if you were shoved into the middle of a Swiss bankers convention.
"My God! They aren't like me!!! They are SO odd!!!"
Please don't confuse discomfort at unfamiliarity with racism...
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