I'm really bummed to think about going home in
two weeks. I feel like there is still so much I want to do here...especially at
my internship.
I've been doing research on whiteness and colorblind
racism at IJR. Unfortunately I've noticed that the organization has some
internal work to do in regards to racism. Not only do the white people refuse
to acknowledge their white privilege, but when they talk about it they get
upset and even blame people of color for the socio-economic or socially unjust
situations they're in.
I've always been interested in the role of white
people in society, but I think my stay at this internship has enhanced my curiosity
on the topic. As a white person who is socially conscious I am a recovering
racist. Any white person who is socially conscious and who wants to fight for
social justice is a recovering racist simply because of the fact that we were
born into a world where white supremacy exists and where we were taught to be
racists. Not all of us may want to be racist and many of us don't even
recognize the smallest forms of racism, but the fact of the matter is that if
we need to dismantle internalized and systemic racism.
This can happen by having conversations about race.
Race conversations tend to be swept under the rug by white people who have the
privilege of directing where the conversation goes. Since these talks tend to
make many white people uncomfortable and often times angry, white people
will say things like "I'm done with this conversation. I'm not racist, I
have a black friend" or "this issue doesn't involve me" or
"this is an issue of the past." White people get defensive over this
topic because they feel that they're being blamed for something they
"didn't play a role in." In reality, all white people play a role in
perpetuating racism whether they like it or not, and whether they are aware of
it or not. The only white people who are not a part of the problem are those
who acknowledge that there is an issue and choose to change it.
This is how white people can be allies. White people
have the privilege of choosing whether or not they want to help change the
system...so, as white people we can start by recognizing our own internalized
racism and then by calling out acts of racism and prejudice whenever or
wherever we see it.
White people can't say that they "don't see skin
color" because this is simply false...by saying this white people are
denying the experiences that people of color have gone through and continue to
go through. Unfortunately, skin color plays a role in social systems of
hierarchy. Anyone who has a passion for fighting social injustices, and anyone
who is white, must acknowledge this, read up on the topic, call out injustices,
and fight the system!
One thing that I know for sure is that I'm going to
continue to work on this issue.
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