This post by Daniel Jose Older is an eye-opener. In eight years working in Emergency Medical Services in greater New York, he's only once treated a white person who was a victim of violence by a person of colour--but within the same time period, he's treated so many black men beaten up by police he couldn't remember the one particular man he was asked to testify about in court.
That's certainly not the picture the media gives us, is it? Those aren't the statistics implied by the biased news coverage we receive.
Malicious racism is still working its evil in our world; there's the evidence. But systemic racism arguably does even more harm. Systematic racism is the kind that you, in your position of privilege, don't realize you're taking part in. You think the world's just set up that way--that this is the logical way of doing things.
Systematic racism is the reason why, if you're white, it maybe took you an embarrassingly long time to notice that virtually every protagonist in every genre book you read is white. Or that the percentage of fashion models you see on the catwalk who are black or Asian is reeeeally small. (I think I read somewhere it's about 7%.)
This is what privilege does to you; it makes the racism you're helping perpetuate invisible to you. By not recognizing certain situations as unfair when they are, you are--without any maliciousness, usually--doing great harm to the people who the system is not set up to benefit.
The publishing industry is a good example of how systematic racism can manifest itself. The industry is heavily populated by educated and usually liberal people; I don't think there's much malicious racism hiding there (although I'm not the person to ask, am I?) However, you get occurrences like like this and this and this.
The people who make the decisions to white-wash covers or to not take a chance on buying an "ethnic" book don't think they're doing so out of racism but rather out of fiscal anxiety. Their book needs to make as much money as possible, and they're terrified of not snaring sales from the hypothetically racist and subtly-racist book buyers out there.
They might even claim they have numbers that indicate a cover with a person of colour on it won't sell as well as one that features a white person--but how much of that statistic was a self-fulfilling prophecy? How much of it was due to a whole system of people feeling anxious over the fact that, oh noes, this hasn't been done successfully before and gee, gosh, do we want to the first ones to try? When there's money at stake and our budget is tight? Maybe let's not take the chance, and oops, that does skew the statistics a bit, doesn't it?
It has to be done; this is the thing. It has to be. Do you think other people should suffer so you can be more comfortable? That's really the issue: Are you willing to do harm in order to benefit yourself? If the answer's no, then you need to start combating racism both visible and invisible.
The best way for an essentially kind person, living in privilege, to combat systematic racism is to listen to those who don't live in privilege, and then to commit to the idea of helping create a fair society. And yes, that means the world won't be set up to suit you anymore--you do have to be willing to sacrifice for this ideal.
I love Mr. Older's blog; he writes very raw and hair-raising accounts of front-of-the-line medicine, and, as you see in the post I mentioned, he also has smart and thought-provoking things to say about the world he sees.
13 comments:
I've come back several times before actually commenting.
White privilege is rampant. So much so that it's sometimes hard to see. I had a black law school professor who went to class wearing makeup that was labeled as skin color or natural. I'm sorry I missed seeing her that day. She said she looked very bizarre.
I've left a store behind a very sharply dressed black woman who was getting the suspicious look and extreme scrutiny of her receipt and what was in her cart. I was waved through without a second glance. Was I dressed even remotely as nice as she was? No. But I am white and therefore trustworhty - supposedly.
Our prisons are loaded with a much higher percentage of minorities than we have in our general population. More a socio-economic issue and not being able to afford the fancy lawyer who gets you off with a slap on the wrist. Plus racial profiling which exists whether we like to say it doesn't or not.
I know a young lady who was pulled from her wrecked car, could not walk a straight line and was obviously on something. She was escorted home without even a ticket. She looked white though she really is mixed white/hispanic. Young and model gorgeous. So white-looking and hot gets you off scot free.
Sarah: And all that illustrates how harmful systematic racism is because if you asked--well, me for example, whether I think a person's race would make a difference to some of those situations, my answer might be no. Having enjoyed white privilege all my life, it honestly wouldn't occur to me that other people aren't necessarily treated the way I'm treated.
With regard to your second story, I remember someone once jokingly saying they took up shoplifting after they realized an inoffensive-looking white woman is invisible.
I've lived in the ghetto and I've experienced first hand the racism COMING FROM THE OTHER SIDE.
Go ahead, pretend it doesn't exist. Excoriate the evil white man, if it makes you feel better.
Obviously it doesn't really help in the real world, though. Because if it did people would be judged on their character NOT the COLOR - as you judge them. Yes, you. Re-read your post. It's all about color.
When we're through having stupid conversations about race we can start having honest conversations about character and behavior.
That's true fairness.
That's when racism will end.
Sharpie: Of course bigotry is perpetrated by people of every race; it's a human failing.
What I'm talking about is bigotry backed up by power, which in North American society is held mostly by whites. That leads to white privilege.
And yes, I'm also talking about race and colour. As long as people get hassled for the colour of their skin, we do need to talk about the problem or we'll never fix it.
I agree that racism would end if everyone judged everyone else by their character and behaviour, but they don't. That's the point of my post.
I get the sense you're trying to shut me up with your anger, but I don't see how me being silent gets us any closer to ending racism. It's not like ignoring the problem accomplishes anything; ignoring it is the status quo.
I do thank you for your dissent, however. It's great to get opposing points of view into the discussion.
I, too, have experienced racism directed at me. I started out living in a mostly black neighborhood and going to mostly black schools. We moved to a Jewish neighborhood when I hit 3rd grade. In Jr. High, a black friend deserted me because I was not cool enough. Now - was that because I was white or because I was a geek? I don't know for sure. Maybe a bit of both.
I have been discounted. I have been stared at with hostility and distrust. I have been ostracized. But these occassions have been very tiny parts of my life. I have not had to live with that every day. Unfortunately, many minorities do. I have been given a glimpse into their world and I did not like being on the receiving end one bit.
This does NOT excuse racism from anyone directed at anyone. There does exist a backlash racism - no denying that - but the balance of power is still heavily weighted in the favor of whites.
Just as the balance of power is heavily weighted in the favor of straights and I am limited in where I can live and still be legally married to my wife. There's even a call in certain states to criminalize my marriage. Does this mean I should be anti-straight? No. But I will avoid certain parts of this country because I do not wish to place myself amidst that hostility.
Where can a minority place himself and not be in the midst of hostility?
I have lived in the southern US and seen grown men called "boy" with no recourse other than being obsequious. People are still being killed there for the crime of being black.
Take a look at what's going on in Arizona and the laws being passed that target hispanics. Yes, we have an issue with illegal immigration and yes, the answer has not come. But this seems to be the other extreme. The extreme that placed Japanese Americans into camps and Native Americans into reservations.
I have found that if I speak to young black men as if they are my equal, they respond in kind. It's been eye-opening for me and that is really sad.
"I have found that if I speak to young black men as if they are my equal, they respond in kind."
So, do you consider them your equal or are you only speaking to them that way to get a more desirable response??
JJ - the point of your post seemed to me to be completely one-sided and aimed point-blank at 'racist' whites for not buying black books.
In doing so, you exhibit (imo) exactly the kind of racism you decry. You are upset that whites don't want to "listen to" (ie, buy books written by) black people.
This is condescending if you ask me. You're not basing your wish of more black authors being published on the premise that their stories are exceptionally interesting or well-written. No. Your only reason for wanting them to get published is because of their skin color.
Black authors must be held to the same bar that authors of any color must be held to:
write a damn good book, and then market it!
Look at Roots, Haley did it. Look at Obama, he's sold kajillions. (Oh and he happens to be POTUS, the most powerful man on earth. Yes, a minority in power. Happens a lot more than you give it credit for. I used to work at the Postal Service so I have experienced it personally.) Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet was also a bestseller.
There are agents out there actively seeking minority fiction, but I think that's a risky approach if the only selling point of a book is that it's written by a minority for a minority audience.
I have faith that good writers will find a way to publication and I think the bar should be the SAME for EVERYONE.
You go on to blame the publishers but by your own admittance they're mostly well-educated liberals.
Now that's funny! I'm a conservative so can't help you there but I'm willing to agree that you nailed the real problem!!
Well-educated liberals are the basic cause of MANY MANY problems!
ROFL
Sharpie: In both your comments, you accuse me of things I didn't say or imply.
Go ahead, pretend it doesn't exist. Excoriate the evil white man, if it makes you feel better.
I never said it didn't exist; I didn't mention it at all, in fact. And I don't feel the need to excoriate anyone. You're projecting.
[T]he point of your post seemed to me to be completely one-sided and aimed point-blank at 'racist' whites for not buying black books.
In fact, I didn't discuss book buyers. I discussed book publishers' notions about book buyers.
Black authors must be held to the same bar that authors of any color must be held to: write a damn good book, and then market it!
Kind of hard to do that when the publishing industry is less inclined to take a chance on you, even when your novel is exceptionally interesting and well-written.
And that was the point of my post. It's hard to compete fairly when the playing field isn't level, and for minorities, it isn't. Furthermore, otherwise good-hearted people cement the unfair system because they don't see that unfairness due to their privilege.
I think the bar should be the SAME for EVERYONE.
So do I. Again, that was the point of my post.
If you want to discuss what I (and Sarah) actually said, rather than the hyperbolic version of it you've got in your head, feel free. If you continue to address the things you imagine rather than my statements, however, I'm not going to engage with you.
So, do you consider them your equal or are you only speaking to them that way to get a more desirable response??
In the past, I wouldn't speak to them much at all. My internal racism and fears stood in my way. So no, I'm not looking for a more desirable response, I'm looking to be a better person. And it's sad that I have to make a conscious effort to accord them the face value respect they deserve.
My father was very prejudiced. My mother was not. Seems I have internalized a bit of both and I prefer to reconcile them on the side of not.
If the playing field were level, we wouldn't be having this discussion.
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˙ǝɔıu sʞooן ƃoןq ɹnoʎ
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Jackie: *waves* Hey, Jackie--love your movies, dude! They drove us by your house when I visited Hong Kong.
(Whoever you are, that was pretty clever! :-D )
"It's hard to compete fairly when the playing field isn't level, and for minorities, it isn't."
This may be your opinion but it is far from factual. Does the term Affirmative Action ring a bell? Do you know what the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is? (I'm very familiar with those myself.)
But on to the arts. Rap music, for starters. Very popular. In fact, changing the face of our culture.
Minority movie stars. Very popular. Jackie Chan stopped by and was there one person who didn't know the name? Will Smith, one of my personal favorite actors. And the list goes on.
Do you think these talented individuals are somehow less talented because they're minorities and someone had to give them a boost up, some kind white person not riddled with hidden racism?
Or do you think they are genuinely talented and worked honestly to attain success? Do you even believe they are perfectly capable of doing it on their own?
Or are you more comfortable looking down on them from your lofty heights and viewing them as needing assistance?
You say there are works by minority writers that are excellent and deserving of publication but that don't get published because of white publishing decision makers, mostly liberals. But you don't name names or give any specifics. Just vague finger-pointing, ill-defined attempts to prove guilt and assign blame.
I think the word you used was "projection."
I think explaining privilege and majority is so difficult, that I can no longer be bothered to try.
Understanding the pendulum swings and the issues and treatment requires an open mind and patience. Once the "us and them" mentality is in place, I think it's probably impossible to make headway.
Nevertheless, the playing field is not level and pure financial figures show this. Many people are stuck in a resentful haze that someone is being lifted to their initial position when they aren't being offered stepping stones as well. I can understand this is frustrating but I no longer have the tolerance to try to engage.
It bothers me that I feel that way.
Kate: Once the "us and them" mentality is in place, I think it's probably impossible to make headway.
Yeah, once someone's absolutely set on not listening to others, I think sneak attacks by trusted family and friends are the only thing that will make a dent in their attitude.
And a person already in attack mode certainly isn't going to listen to others, just to their own inner assumptions.
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