White people: why are we so concerned with not being racist? [View all]
Stop and read that for a second.
Why is it important that I "not be racist"? Why is that even brought up when a person of color is talking about their experience as a person of color? What is gained by inserting myself into a conversation that isn't about me? Do I just not want to be seen as a bad person? Do I think that if only all white people were more like me things would be better? Do I simply not see the absolute perversity of a white person talking over a person of color about this issue? Or am I so disoriented by not having the definitive say on race that I just pretend I do anyways?
Even (especially?) very smart, very good, very liberal friends of mine seem to often find their way to the question, "what can I do to not be racist?" Well, step one would be unask that question, disappear from the active part of the conversation, and listen. Accept that you "not being racist" may well be the very last step of the solution rather than the first.
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