—
People often misunderstand what Racism is and is not. If you think Black People or other oppressed groups can’t buy into, adopt the dominant cultural views and help perpetuate Racism? You are woefully naive and you’ve got much work to do. Jews can promote Anti-Semitism, Women can promote Patriarchal and Sexist views. Actually, these people are vital for dominant groups oppression to flourish. They are grease for the wheel.
As Brother Ta-Nehisi Coates stated-“Racism is not merely a simplistic hatred. It is, more often, broad sympathy toward some and broader skepticism toward others…” Racism is broadly societal, and self-perpetuating.
This works on one’s psyche every day, all day. Reinforced from societal cues from cradle to grave. It’s insidious and is in the air you breathe and the water you drink. When you read a book, see a film, watch television. It is a prison. For members of both the Oppressive and the Oppressed groups.
That’s why counter-programming for Children is key. Educational settings just aren’t enough. Now more so today with the War on Public Education and modern day Segregation. Parents & Caregivers must supplement a child’s Racial Awareness education in deed and word, but you can only help a child combat something you yourself can recognize.
If all kids see when they look out the “window” of Mass Media is White Supremacy, with no “Mirror” that reflects why people that look and think like them and share their culture are important and valuable or worse they are invisible? What does that do to a child’s Self Worth or Self-esteem?
Or, if a child only experiences White Privilege without the acknowledgment it even exists? If parents are unwilling or don’t possess the tools to parent in a way that examines what unearned societal tailwinds they have, like it or not, or the reverse, the headwinds for others? Sans historical and modern context? With no idea why other cultures are important, or the value of intersectionality?
Then they are doomed to perpetuate the Status Quo. As you make your home “Childproof” to protect them physically from harm. Today, it’s vital for all children to become “TrumpProof”. That they are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills, cultural and self-awareness, empathy for others, the importance of education. Find opportunities to foster relationships with a diversity of families of different cultures, interests, and ethnicities. All children share a thirst for knowledge and a keen Bullshit detector. A love of justice and a hatred of oppression. Let each one, teach one.
So, empty your cup. Seek out uncomfortable conversations. Use the phone in your hand, read different views, beware dogma and follow your gut. You can’t help anyone else somnambulant. Beware of anyone that tells you they have all the answers, they are trying to sell you something.
Good luck. The future needs you.
#resist #ShePersisted #LoveIsARevolutionaryAct
◊♦◊
This post originally appeared on the author’s Facebook timeline as a public post (below.) It is republished here with the author’s permission.
—
Photo credit: Getty Images