Why not being ‘a racist’ isn’t enough

[Starry Messenger]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-theory/wp/2016/09/02/why-not-being-a-racist-isnt-enough/?tid=a_inl&utm_term=.1261004ee83f

<snip>

...it’s increasingly clear that the scurry to avoid being seen as racist has in many ways overtaken the actual work of …not being racist. When racism is boiled down to only a small set of outrageous, explicit actions that we just need to make sure to avoid — don’t say the wrong words, don’t wear a white hood, avoid burning a cross on someone’s lawn — it becomes easy to pat ourselves on the back, satisfied that we aren’t “one of those people” while ignoring or even continuing to partake in the more insidious forms of racism: the stereotyping, the not-in-my-backyard-ing, the persistent lack of concern for those not like ourselves.

Not being seen a racist becomes the end goal, rather than the real work of ending racism — cultivating integration, perhaps even friendship with those of other races; acknowledging and seeking to rectify one’s own implicit biases; starting conversations about race within one’s own community; advocating for and enacting non-racist policies. Satisfying ourselves with ostracizing “the real racists,” we can telegraph optimism about the future of race relations while doing nothing to further it.

<snip>

Hurt feelings about being called a racist matter much less than the fact that racism still abounds. Not being “a racist” is not enough.

Good commentary on how just the basics of not being a cross-burning moron isn't enough to say you are helping to end racism/not being racist. Examining bias and how it affects your perception and interaction with people of color (even on the internet) should be part of trying to eliminate racism.

[LanternWaste]

2. No doubt, a consistent pattern of behavior and then attempting to rationalize it

"You have to go out of your way to prove your undying loyalty to the cause..."

No doubt, a consistent pattern of behavior and then attempting to rationalize it often results in people making allegations such as yours.

[Number23]

4. Wonderful article. So glad that you posted this

And so glad to see that you are still holding the AA forum down.

[Panich52]

5. College professor pointed that out to my class in early 70's

He wrote several "levels of racism" on blackboard, asked us to decide where we thought we belonged on it. Then he drew a line between "actively fighting against" (or words to that effect) & rest of the list, saying "all those past this line are racists"