Racism 101: A Comprehensive Guide for 2013

racismschool:

After the success of the Racism 101: A comprehensive Guide for 2012 post, it seemed fitting that there be a follow up for 2013. 

8 things every good racist/non-racist should know

Enjoy!

1. Racism is not fun-If you find yourself wanting to be a part of the “I’ve experienced racism” conversation, you should really re-evaluate your own life choices. If your “Experience” with racism is a single item that you are able to pinpoint, you are living a life of luxury. Racism is not fashionable, easy or something any of us (Who have to live with it daily) want. If you find yourself WANTING to be able to say that you experience racism, you should question your own thinking. Starting now.

2. Human beings can hold two opposing view points-You can have a Black friend AND be racist against Black people. You can be married to a Latino AND be racist against Latin@s. Believing that your friend, family member or the person you are dating/married to is somehow “Different than” or “Not like” the others, is an absolutely racist thought to have. Equally, if you believe that having a friend, family member or significant other who is of the race you hold such ignorant feelings towards somehow makes you “Not racist,”see below…

3. Your “Friend” proves my point, not yours-When you’ve been accused of being a racist, announcing that you have a “Black Friend” proves that you are in fact, a racist. Non-racists would never use their friends to justify their racism. Non-racists also wouldn’t feel the need to catagorize their friends by race. Non-racists would not be capable of seeing their “Black Friend” as a “Get out of being called a racist” card. These actions are racist. Only a racist is capable of acting in this manner.

4. The internet is not racist-If you find yourself saying anything along the lines of “If you don’t like racism, get off the internet,” you are, quite frankly, not very bright. It is people who make racist comments and put them on the internet. In order for “Getting off the internet” to equal “Not having to deal with racism,” each and every racist person on the internet would have to magically disappear from Earth when a person logged off. 

5. Comedy does not trump racism-Calling the racist thing you’ve just said, “A joke” doesn’t make it any less racist. Even if you and all of your friends think it’s the funniest thing you’ve ever heard. It doesn’t stop anyone from being hurt and it doesn’t eliminate your role in hurting people. Racism is wrong. Even when you label it “Comedy.” (Note: No one should ever have to remind you that racism is wrong)

6. Satire isn’t racist-The rule is, “Satire goes up.” The entire purpose of satire is to make fun of those at the top. Racist “Jokes” are the farthest thing from satire as anyone could get. Calling the racist thing you just said, “Satire” proves that A) You have no idea what satire is and B) you are living under the false notion that people laughing at something cruel, takes the cruelty away.

7. It’s presentation over blood 100% of the time- Whether you are 1/16th brown, ½ brown or all the way brown, if you present as white, you are going to be treated as such. This isn’t about fault or blame. However, if you find yourself starting to claim that you don’t have white passing privilege because your Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandmother was brown, you have failed and fallen into a racist justification wormhole. Climb out. (Note: This may be USA specific. I don’t know how accurate this may be in other countries)

8. “My experiences are just as valid.”-This is an accurate statement. Your experiences are valid. The problem is not that they are “Invalid” it’s that when you use your experiences to either A) Say that you deal with things too so I should just stop whining or B) That it is okay to talk OVER my experience because you have also lived through something, you are acting in an inexcusable manner. Also, stop saying “Oppression Olympics.” The person suffering the most DOES matter. However, this also does not allow for over talking. (Seriously though, let’s get rid of the term “Oppression Olympics” altogether, mkay? You are using it incorrectly anyway.)