This is a crazy busy week because i’m transitioning into a new position at the school where i work. And my two best friends are moving away, so i’m trying to spend as much time as i can with them. But i just got my first comment flame today (thanks ‘Billy Bob‘), so i wanted to celebrate. After reading a comment on reapproriate’s kkk hate post, i figured i might try to redirect the onslaught of questions that White folks have for people of color when they are really questions that should be asked of White folks (like “why are you so angry, so gosh darn angry?” or the more innocent “what can i do to fight racism?”). I guess i’m just saying i’m offering to be a bit of a sponge. Not that i have all the answers. I’m sure i’ll disappoint many. But i know that when i’m reading some of my favorite blogs i want to stay on track and talk about the topic at hand instead of continually getting off track and talking about the same old questions that White folks have.
But this seems like a rather daunting task. So here’s my brainstorm. PLEASE respond with any ideas, comments, constructive criticism, etc:
- create a ‘White Folks Click Here’ page full of links to resources about racism for White folks
- dedicate a post or page to a discussion about race for White folks (i feel like this has to be happening somewhere); could go a step further and create an online forum
- redirect comments on blog posts when i see them; encourage blog authors to do the same
- build a list of bloggers that are willing/able to have comments/questions redirected to them
- just say “fuck off” and move on
I’m down with all of your ideas. I’d gladly answer any questions that came my way, but I’d reserve the right to say “fuck off” and move on.
I like your ideas. I’d be up for participating as an anti-racist white.
i’m kind of for the last one. ^_^ i don’t think white people need anything more than to be aware of their whiteness and develop their own opinions thusly. i worry that all the other ideas still have a “teach white people how to think about race” feel to them.
I personally think it is a great idea–I hear what you’re saying Jenn, but at some point, I think that radical white folks must see that the best way to be an ally is to confront thier own folks.
Way too many white folks *don’t* have the skills to think critically about issues that scare them. Hell, I don’t have the skills many times. But I guess what I am saying is that some times the best thing a radical white person can do is to stay in their own neighborhoods and start talking to their neighbors–just as people of color need their own space to figure things out and get things done, I think white folks might be able to get some stuff done around race if they can get all their questions out, talked about and challenged in a way that doesn’t lead them to instantly grouping together for protection.
Maybe white folks can hear things better if its coming from a white person…and if that “teaching” helps said white person to become more helpful in my goal of liberation, then I’m all for it!
jenn - i have to say that most of the time i’d agree with you on just going with the last one. And i certainly agree with you that White folks just need to learn about their Whiteness. I’m not really one for teaching folks what to think or necessarily how to think. But sometimes people need a helping hand to get on their feet. Especially when so many so many centuries of unearned privilege has made White people so damn lazy!
I also think it is dangerous to just let White folks go on believing that everything is ok. As a good friend in college liked to say, “White people are killing us with good intentions.” Without engaging, critical dialogue happening somewhere, i’m afraid those guilt-ridden, liberal-minded White folks are going to keep stepping on throats with their big boots of good intention.
And i tend to agree with brownfemipower that sometimes the best thing a radical White person can do is to stay in their own neighborhood. (i might have to use that quote, BTW;).
Please count me in.
Some of these things are fine suggestions. That stay in their own neighborhood thing is a bad, bad, bad, bad idea. That’s is a fundamental part of the problem. Do I have to leave my stepson and husband behind because I need to go find a bunch of White folks to talk to? My life is way too complex to do my anti-racist work in the “White bubble.”
Okay, angry rant aside.
I do think on some level that is a valid point. I proselytize every week in my White students, and unfortunately, brownfemipower is correct that their are a core group of them who do value Whites opinions on racism more. This is an unfortunate product of racism. I have been working on my relatives for years, but have had to cut some of that down for mental health purposes. I have been able to have the greatest impact on friends and students. However, getting Whites to understand Whiteness is useful, but challenging the normativity of Whiteness must be connected with racism. Also, I am partial to Noel Ignatiev’s view that Whites and people of color should work to abolish Whiteness not reify it. However, first you have to get Whites to be aware of Whiteness and White privilege.
I am very hesitant to join those White people against racism groups. They are fine in principle, but I find that they turn into “white guys against racism” groups. While they are good at addressing racism, they are frequently dominated by men. The gender problem is big. It’s something that can be improved, but the intraracial sexism is a big problem. (ARA is a great example of that.)
i’m pretty happy to have those kinds of discussions, as long as it’s white folks instigating them (and they’re actually willing to dialogue). had a very unproductive conversation with a white blogger who goes by “poor boy” about white privilege a couple of weeks ago over at eric stoller’s blog. he denies it exists and i exhausted myself trying to show examples while he was uninterested in anything i had to say.
if they’re seeking guidance, that’s fine. otherwise, you might as well be talking to stones. i do agree, in principle, that you’re going to be most effective in groups you have the easiest access to. for me, that means that i get to do anti-racism and anti-sexism work around white guys. sometimes, though, i get too angry to have a productive dialogue.
Just as people of color need support, commiseration, places of refuge when experiencing racism or un-internalizing white patriarchy, so white people unlearning, unliving white supremacy need community. I think it is an excellent idea to direct White folks looking for help in their growth to anti-racist sites or a forum moderated (opr at least heavily participated in) by a White person talking the talk and walking the walk.
Rachel - i hear ya. When i’m talking about ’staying in your own neighborhood’ i’m talking about it in the Freirian sense of community organizing and liberatory praxis. In other words, in opposition to the approach that White folks know what is best and therefore should descend upon the masses and preach the gospel of liberation. Or that college-educated folks necessarily know more than high school drop-outs.
I attended a speech by Ward Churchill a while back and after he got done talking about the need to take direct action a White person immediately stood up and asked, “so what do i need to do in my community.” His response was blunt, “Do i live in your community? No. So how the hell should i know what you need to do. That’s a conversation you need to have with the people who live around you.” I have a lot of repsect for that response.
Obviously, your “neighborhood” is different than mine, Rachel. Your’s would include a conversation among multiracial families. A conversation that is so very needed and will go a long way, in my opinion, in helping to rid the world of racism. After all, multiracial people and families transcend definitions of race.
And i whole-heartedly agree with you on the White people against racism groups thing. Don’t even get me started on the ARA. From what i’ve read of your blog i think we are very much on the same page. I hope that you’ll continue in the conversation.
G Bitch - word. Unlearning racism is often exhausting and usually comes with little support from loved ones. Support is crucial to not falling back to privileged positions of comfort.