General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Silence Makes White People Racist [View all]salin
(48,955 posts)Like many have expressed, I have been horrified by the events that have led to the protests. And while not often stated - I want to be explicit in admitting that the extent and frequency of such lethal brutality unleashed in seconds has been shocking to me. That alone is part of the issue. Most of us white folks do not live with this reality. It is only now, for many of us, that the blinders have been lifted. And what we see is deeply dangerous and out of tune. To much of white America this is not a daily reality - and thus a vast majority of white America is either in denial in order to cognitively protect their vision of our society, or are simply untroubled by the reality of life under institutional and cultural racism.
I believe that there is a growing conscience - which is contributing to growing participation in the protests.
That said - the "dominate vs. silence" seems to be missing a big factor: participation does not mean leading/being the main voice. Indeed, that is *Patronizing* - hell, it's basically indicating/underscoring a sense of superiority as if People of Color need a white spokesperson to give voice to their grievances... which is stronger than the word patronizing connotes.
There is a large space between silence and dominating. It isn't binary.
Participating - showing up - following - standing shoulder to shoulder with one another is in that space between silence and domination.
Let the Voice of the moment/event be the voice of those for whom the reality of the lethal brutality is not new or vicarious. Let the dominant voice be she/he who can teach the rest of us about the realities of living under a system of institutionalized and cultural racism.
In our learning - let us, and our voices, be out of engaged outrage at the lack of humanity of such a system - and in support of change. I think that a big part of our role - is to help other white folks who haven't yet lifted the blinders off the eyes, begin to lift their blinders - and guide them to places/people/voices who can begin to teach the realities, and thus our voice becomes part of a growing chorus of dialogue and chants that keep burgeoning until institutional and cultural changes are inevitable. Indeed, I believe the protests that started in Ferguson and have spread throughout the country have begun to lift blinders off of many folks eyes. I believe our job is to be a part of the growing chorus that keeps keeps the conversations growing.
just my 2 cents.