Let's talk about race

 When talking about race and racism, it's a very hot topic right now. No one wants to talk about it because it has become so controversial. Growing up I was mostly surrounded by white people with the handful of people who identified as BIPOC. This is at the fault of my parents, it was just the demographic of the city we lived in. It wasn't until I got to college that I was surrounded by more people of color and it wasn't so much as a shock but it was something new for me. I think that as I got older, I've become more self aware of my place in society and the different privileges I have because of the color of my skin. I recognize that I can move through places that most BIPOC can't and I understand why that is, but I also can't. Racism dates back hundreds of years and even though there's been some progress, it's still an issue in so many places. The thing I don't understand is where this idea that white people are better than all other races. Who decided that BIPOC would be treated the way they are? How do people genuinely believe that what is happening to BIPOC every day is okay? What make white people so much "better" than other races? I had gotten into a heated debate with my parents a few weeks ago about everything that is happening because my parents have a very different opinion than I do. Which I respect because everyone is entitled to their opinion, but one thing that didn't sit right with me was when my mom said "there's a bunch of successful black people so you can't tell me they're oppressed." This statement put me in such shock because I couldn't believe she had just said that. I've tried to explain to them that being white is a part of who I am just as much as being tall. Being white is something I can't change but I can use that to support and be an ally to BIPOC. 

    I really enjoyed the podcast and thought it was so insightful. The end of it really stuck with me though because Menakem talks about how when he's doing a book signing white people will just start telling him about the marches they attend and all the things they do which like great but that doesn't make the white race any less oppressive. I find that white people do that often, especially when talking to a BIPOC person and I think it's out of a need to prove they're not racist. If a person truly isn't racist, they won't need to prove it. There are so many conversations that need to happen and things that need to change but until both sides can sit down and actually listen to one another, that won't happen. By having these conversations and continuously educating myself though, I think it's made me more aware to my identity as a white person and how much power that actually holds. 

    

Comments

  1. Victoria RestlerSeptember 28, 2020 at 7:14 PM

    Thank you for your post Meaghan. I appreciate your openness and vulnerability in sharing your own experiences, perspectives and challenges with your family. Also, in reference to your question about who/how decided in the superiority of white people--there is real and very interesting history around the invention of whiteness (a socially constructed category that is constantly shifting). I found this powerful new animated musical series about one part of this origin story in Jamestown in the 1600s (https://www.wgbh.org/programs/2020/07/06/the-history-of-white-people-in-america-episode-one-how-america-invented-race).

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