“Removed From the Issue”
When discussing issues regarding race, many express hesitance, due to their feeling that they are somewhat “removed from the issue”. I assume this means that they feel the issues raised do not directly affect them, they have little real life experience, or are just afraid to venture into the mine field that is racial discussion.
These people may feel comfort in numbers, many white people feel this way, so much so that I seem quite the zealot for raising the issues. This hesitancy is natural and a normal exercise of common sense. I do not fault anyone for not wanting to address issues they feel unqualified to expound on, or have no real motivation or reward for investing time in. Not only is there little reward but more often there is great cost in friends, comfort, and distraction from more present matters. Fair enough.
I would however like to point out that this is a view and even “privilege” enjoyed only by white people. No black person can ignore race and its issues. Every one of them has experience on the subject. Racial issues affect them directly. No black person can avoid issues out of fear or convenience, they are wrapped in it.
Realizing this, and attempting to appreciate it, will open the doors to understanding for all of us. This will help a teacher or adoptive parent understand where all the anger may be coming from. It may help the armchair politician understand why all these activists can’t just “let it go”. This is why despite what we were taught about Dr. King’s dream, race still matters.
Now this realization is just one tool to help create context, not the answer to problems. It does not in itself even have to be a “problem.” It is simply the reality of anyone who is a minority of any sort. Whatever makes you stand out, intentional or not, will become a major part of your identity.
We all have a stake in racial matters but only some of us (white people) have the opportunity to choose if we care.
When discussing issues regarding race, many express hesitance, due to their feeling that they are somewhat “removed from the issue”. I assume this means that they feel the issues raised do not directly affect them, they have little real life experience, or are just afraid to venture into the mine field that is racial discussion.
These people may feel comfort in numbers, many white people feel this way, so much so that I seem quite the zealot for raising the issues. This hesitancy is natural and a normal exercise of common sense. I do not fault anyone for not wanting to address issues they feel unqualified to expound on, or have no real motivation or reward for investing time in. Not only is there little reward but more often there is great cost in friends, comfort, and distraction from more present matters. Fair enough.
I would however like to point out that this is a view and even “privilege” enjoyed only by white people. No black person can ignore race and its issues. Every one of them has experience on the subject. Racial issues affect them directly. No black person can avoid issues out of fear or convenience, they are wrapped in it.
Realizing this, and attempting to appreciate it, will open the doors to understanding for all of us. This will help a teacher or adoptive parent understand where all the anger may be coming from. It may help the armchair politician understand why all these activists can’t just “let it go”. This is why despite what we were taught about Dr. King’s dream, race still matters.
Now this realization is just one tool to help create context, not the answer to problems. It does not in itself even have to be a “problem.” It is simply the reality of anyone who is a minority of any sort. Whatever makes you stand out, intentional or not, will become a major part of your identity.
We all have a stake in racial matters but only some of us (white people) have the opportunity to choose if we care.
