I’m supposed to say something stirring and exciting to prep myself for the coming semester. Obama said something pretty ‘on the nose’ so I think I’ll share that instead. “If every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and an undeserving minority, then workers of all shades are going to be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves.” (B. Obama, President)
Here’s the thing: He’s right. I know a number of racist people. They weren’t born like that and largely would not consider themselves racist. They are socially racist, a term denoting those who indeed come from that economic framing that Obama suggested in his speech. I’d like to develop a deeper dialogue with these kinds of people to really help myself understand and perhaps build bridges of understanding between us that can help shorten the divide between us all.
I have a personal stake in it too. I’ve been on the dirty end of racism way too long and I have come to live a life where I expect dang near anyone who doesn’t look like me to be at least a little racist towards me. Perhaps expect is too strong but I am never ever surprised when someone trots out the race card. Just a few months ago I was playing with a friend’s kid and the kid said, “No! I’m allergic to black people!” Where kids get this from is no surprise nor is the fact that a seven year old felt totally comfortable saying that. Why wouldn’t he. The kid lives in a world where I am the anomaly–the outsider in the room who is perfectly fine to have around, so long as you understand who he is and what his stereotypical limitations are. That is the kind of racism I live with every day. I want it to stop.