Listening to Ta-Nehisi Coates While White

[chervilant]

7. At 7:28 this morning, Steve from NYC wrote

Mr. Brooks: You are displaying your privilege in two profound ways.

"I read this like a slap and a revelation." Really? I'm a 68 year-old white man and my reaction to Mr. Coates's raw honesty is empathy and exhaustion. That you find his truth "a slap and a revelation" suggests that you haven't been paying attention.

And, of course, it is a great American tradition for white folks to tell black folks how they "really" should feel. What sense of privilege permits you to reinterpret his life experience? You write, "I think you distort American history." You distort his history by attempting to co-opt it into your happy, white view.

Lots of "white" folks haven't been paying attention. Lots of "white" folks become defensive about racism.

Then, the dialogue shifts to "white" folks' feelings, and -- yet again -- a discussion about racism is subverted.

Too many of our brethren are dying at the hands of racists -- many of these racists are cops. Just this last weekend, Sandra Bland was murdered by racist cops, and the dialogue about "alleged suicide" continues...

Like Steve from NYC, I am exhausted -- mentally exhausted. I have cried many tears for each needless death. I have felt deep rage towards every hateful racist murderer.

But, I will never have to fear for my life, or the lives of my children, at the hands of hate-filled racists, because I'm "white." And, whether I like it or not, therein lies the privilege that underpins all racism.