General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: An Observation About White People and Wypipo [View all]OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)Too many people don't really listen; they have their retorts already forming from the time they read the subject line.
The unwillingness of many white people to sit in discomfort and try to learn is a huge hurdle in the journey to finally face racism head on, something we as a country have never done. It's up to white people (I'm one of them) to heal racism, but the lack of self-awareness, the unwillingness to be uncomfortable and thus be honest with self, let alone others, ensures the continuation of white supremacy. This is true of white people as a whole (always exceptions!), even self-professed liberals/progressives.
I grew up in a KKK environment. Yes, that's extreme and overt white supremacist behavior on the part of individuals, but it made me more aware of the manifestations of white supremacy along the spectrum, including the daily microaggressions POC experience, as well as the systemic nature of it.
In case anyone is tempted to use the "hammer/nail" analogy, thinking I LOOK for racism, you're flat out wrong. I don't want to see it everywhere -- and I do mean everywhere throughout this country -- but it's there nevertheless and I don't hide from it as so many do because it makes them uncomfortable.
I got comfortable being uncomfortable from early childhood and have been doing my best to battle this demon for decades.