Deep breath before reading this essay by Kevin Powell

[OneGrassRoot]

I'll post in GD tomorrow; today is too crazy and it will sink. I'm spreading this far and wide, BEGGING people to read. Edit to add: Sorry, the excerpts I selected are what I shared on social media, with white people in mind. The whole thing is beyond powerful.

WILL RACISM EVER END?

http://www.utne.com/community/kevin-powell-will-racism-ever-end-zl0z16szsau.aspx

So there is simply no way to have what my Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brother David Young dubs “courageous conversations” about race and racism in America if you refuse to hear me, if you refuse to read this essay to the very end, if you refuse to acknowledge that my history is your history, too. We are chained together like those slaves were chained together on those ships and those auction blocks.

<snip>

What ultimately matters is what you are willing to give up, to sacrifice, in every aspect of your life, to speak out and push back against that which has taught you that you are superior and that I am inferior, that you are always right and I am always wrong, pretty much in every space imaginable, both consciously and subconsciously. Silence is unacceptable in the face of injustice, and being neutral is being a coward and an accomplice to the evil sides of our history.

<snip>

I have far too many White sisters and brothers in my life who are dear friends, allies, supporters, confidantes, mentors, and sheroes and heroes of mine. But what I do believe, because I have lived it and because I inhale it habitually, is that racism is a toxic and deadly cancer; no one is immune from it, and even the good and well-meaning amongst us have been profoundly contaminated with it, simply by virtue of your not wanting to have this conversation, or because you are having a hard time reading my words this very moment.

<snip>

For White Americans this means you’ve got to re-invent yourselves if you are serious about ridding our society of racism. You’ve got to ask yourself who and what was I before I became White? What does it mean to me to be human, to be a human being, and what, again, am I willing to do, willing to sacrifice, and willing to give up to be a part of this necessary healing process? You must learn to listen to the voices of Black people and other people of color, you must not feel the need, through arrogance or insecurity, to tell us who we are, what we should be thinking or feeling or doing, and you must, with love and respect, understand when we may be hyper-sensitive to race, to racism, given the history and present-day realities of our America. Shutting us down or ignoring us or un-friending us says you do not truly want a conversation, as equals, especially if that conversation makes you uncomfortable.


http://www.utne.com/community/kevin-powell-will-racism-ever-end-zl0z16szsau.aspx

[Kind of Blue]

1. Thanks and saving for later.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. I've posted this same question in a few FB groups, including LOWPAS

Thought I'd post here as well.

If you scroll to the bottom of the essay, you'll see a few comments. The one by a white male going by the name of "wataugaman" is rather detailed, and I wish I had a response to the various things he mentions.

He seems to have summarized most of the comments I've ever seen expressed by white people.

Is there a magical document or website which addresses these very points? There is, fortunately, a plethora of information online now regarding racism and white privilege, but I admit that I find it overwhelming when trying to find a reply to a specific charge.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If such a resource doesn't exist, perhaps we could collectively work on creating one?

Something similar to how the Obama Administration had a "help desk" of sorts during the elections to correct falsehoods, provide factual information or simply provide an insightful reply.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

4. The poor boy is whining that being a white straight male in America is a problem.

Jesus, sometimes I just dont know what to say.

I tried to copy and paste his exact words, cant.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. I know...

There is some sort of collective psychopathy going on...this irrational fear and victimization. I have NO IDEA how to cut through it. We know facts and information aren't helpful -- in fact, they double down when presented with facts.

It's so frustrating. Interceding with kids (many of whom are influenced by the racist, bigoted families they're surrounded by) is the only thing that makes me hopeful, because I surely can't figure out how to break through to middle-aged white people.

For a group of people who have spewed forth incessantly about personal responsibility and "life isn't fair," they sure are a whiny bunch of people terrified of other people taking their stuff.

Oh, that's another realization I had today: Certain personality types seem to resent anyone else NOT suffering as much as they have. (But that is yet another example of the cognitive dissonance, because conservatives are the ones who go on and on about liberals being jealous of rich people.)

For example, I know several fairly young (30-ish) white males who are voting Republican for one key reason: They loathe the idea of free college. "If I had to take out loans and pay them back, everyone else should, too."

Even the "get off my lawn!!!" parents who complain about Millennials (as every generation of conservatives and perhaps liberals, too, has complained about the younger generation) don't REALLY seem to want life to be better or easier for their kids. They want them to suffer as much as they did in some respects.

Maybe a full-scale campaign to acknowledge their complaints. Simple acknowledgement without making pain and suffering a competition. Maybe if they feel acknowledged (as they do with Trump), they can process some of this shit rationally and not be so defensive and be able to put any of their pain and suffering into perspective, finally realizing their struggles have never remotely come close to the daily life of a person of color.


Ughhhhh.......I'm white so I've gotta figure this shit out!!! lololol

[brer cat]

3. Bookmarking for later.

I need quiet and much time to digest and contemplate.