Lots of people — white and people of color — don’t understand why a black activist is telling white allies to move to the back of the march outside of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. [Video clip below.]
The media posts this clip without context for the shock value. Anyone who has spent any time in anti-racism work knows that this request is central and pretty standard for several reasons:
– the media loves white people… Even at a black lead event. They will focus on the faces and comments from any white people they can find. Keeping a black-led event black actually requires some effort.
– white people are used to being centered and they don’t often realize it. As such they will often unintentionally dominate or center themselves in a space or event for people of color.
– conversely, people of color are also used to white people being centered. As such, we’re conditioned with the idea that having white people present is always good, always helpful, always “equal”. We forget how much whiteness dominates our everyday lives that somehow we think it’s “needed” in a space for and about people of color.
– white people doing anti-racism work are being taught by other white people to move to the back and only be a support role. Don’t believe me? Check out groups like Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) where they regularly give tips on how white people can support people of color.
– asking white people to move to the back of a people of color lead march is NOT oppression. This isn’t an attempt to become the new oppressors or to get vengeance on white people. White people won’t lose any opportunities or be disenfranchised as a result of this request. Please don’t run off the deep end with this video clip.
There are a LOT of misconceptions in the comments under this video and of course there’s no interview asking her to explain the request. Let’s think critically here and understand the context of what’s going on in this moment. Not all change happens by hugging each other and singing “Kumbaya” – we have major inequalities to address and preserving the feelings and centeredness of white people isn’t the priority here.
—
This post was originally published on the author’s Facebook timeline and is republished here with his permission.
—
—
Photo credit: Fox 32 Chicago
This news article is so racist lol and I’m not even from America. In the opening statements you fully said that all white people do is steal the attention LOL? The lady that asked white people to move to the back! What authority does she have? Just because she is leading a group of idiots dosnt make her more entitled all off a sudden than anyone! Especially to do with fucking skin colour. Your fucking dumb and I bet your living in a house that’s like a 5 star hotel. About black oppression. This is 2016 for fuck sake everyone… Read more »
Well said Darren. I was there. If we white people can’t deal with being asked to take a step back for a change, maybe we should be trying to imagine how it feels for Black people who have to deal with REAL oppression every day of their lives. There is no comparison between being ASKED to go to the back of a demo where you are really quite safe and even welcome although it is not all about you, and being TOLD by an armed stranger to not move but still produce your ID or registration or to get on… Read more »
I don’t have a problem with this, as long as BLM stops barging in on other people’s events too.
Dr. King just turned over in his grave.
I’m just a little too young to know what you mean, DJ. Please explain, if you will.
Did you just call me old?! _________________ The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone. ___ one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as… Read more »
You really should read the article again…you are soooo missing the point, and to the contrary, Dr. King would not be rolling over in his grave, but applauding this strategy because this is a different day and time. And please do not refer to black folk as negroes. Seriously disrespectful.
I’m chuckling, Rochelle. Those were HIS words, not mine. Those were quotes from his, “I have a dream” speech, which I watched live. That was the word during the civil rights movement. I’ve studied the man, and I saw first hand what he accomplished. No he would not agree because segregation was exactly what he was fighting against. Anger and segregation was what he preached to end, Unity and brotherhood was everything that he was about. This time is no picnic, but it is nothing compared to what back people faced back then, and what he changed through unity, not… Read more »
Are you deluded lol? Applauding this strategy? Do u really think this woman done it outta strategy? Or merely because she saw so many white faces in support? Dr king was smart! She dumb. Simple