Black Farmer Calls Out Liberal Racism In Powerful Facebook Message

[Caliman73]

191. We need lables

Labels are heuristic devices that help us to organize the world. It is impossible for humans to process every bit of information that comes in through our senses so we use categories, schemas, stereotypes, and other forms of filtering and simplification.

What we all need to do is try to be flexible, understand ourselves as best we can, and strive to be decent to our fellow human being.

I am a person of color. I have experienced racism and bigotry, have been hurt by it, and have fought against it. I also know that I was brought up with prejudiced beliefs that were present in my family. Some people say that people of color are more sensitive to racial bias and less prone to it, but that is simply not true and I can attest to that. I have to remind myself and question myself with regard to my attitudes about race, gender, sexual orientation, and other things. I try to do that regularly but sometimes I fail. What makes the difference between people who are liberal and who are conservative is that liberals, as you stated, are "open" to the idea that we need to be constantly growing. I know what is inside me, sometimes however, I get surprised by my reactions to things and I have to go back and figure out why I did, said, or thought something.

It is hard work to confront subtle things in yourself when there are blaring signs out there displayed by others. It is easy for me to see a person with a Confederate Flag and say, "that guy is straight up racist". It is harder for me to ask myself why I tensed up when I saw those two young Black men walking in my direction, or why I feel the need to help a woman who looks like she might be struggling with a bag, but not do the same for a man.