What divides us about racism: intent

[sheshe2]

snip

For many people in this country, that near universal agreement means that the job of ending racism is done and we can all be "colorblind" now. That's why the Roberts Court did away with the section of the Voting Rights Act that applied only to states that had traditionally denied the franchise to African Americans via Jim Crow laws. Its also why they struck down Michigan's affirmative action program this week. According to Robert's embrace of colorblindness, "the way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race."

All of this is based on a white perspective of what racism means. You see, if we don't intend to discriminate...it doesn't happen. In other words, if voting restrictions aren't overtly aimed at denying the franchise to African Americans, its not racism. It doesn't matter if they effectively make it more difficult for large swaths of African Americans to vote. And intent is most often very difficult to prove, isn't it?

If we were to include the perspective of people of color in our understanding of racism, we would see it much differently. As Justice Sotomayor explained:

Read More:http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2014/04/what-divides-us-about-racism-intent.html

snip

This legal standard is why Sec. of Labor Thomas He did everything he could to avoid a case on the topic of disparate impact getting to the Supreme Court - knowing that doing away with it is the next agenda for the Roberts Court. That's why we need to keep an eye on this rather obscure standard...if struck down, we would be left with having to demonstrate intent to prove discrimination.

But the question of intent also infuses much of our discussion about racism on a daily basis. Its why the defense used by many white people of "having a good heart" is inadequate. The state of one's heart is not the question. We need to focus on the effect of what we do/say. Its also why Jay Smooth says that accusations of "You are a racist" are counter-productive - because they go to intentions.

And so, the next time someone says that what you've said/done is racist, know that a focus on your intentions is not the point. Its important to listen to how it effected them. In other words, its not all about you

Read More:http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2014/04/what-divides-us-about-racism-intent.html

[Texasgal]

1. Good post

K&R

[Cha]

2. Thanks for this from smartypants, she.. will read when I have

a sec!

[sheshe2]

3. Thanks Cha~

[Cha]

5. Kick!

[mstinamotorcity2]

4. Cool!!

Will be watching!!!

[AverageJoe90]

6. Well, mostly good, though, TBH, it doesn't quite fully address all the complexities, either.

One important thing that they left out(though not intentionally, I'm sure), is that not everything that does end up being insensitive necessarily crosses the line from plain prejudice or even just insensitivity into racism. BTW, this isn't an argument against the assessment re: Bundy's extremely ignorant statements, not at all-they were definitely racist, no question. I agree with that 100%.....because that is the truth.

However, the only reason I brought this up is because the subject was made much broader to include the racism issue in general. For example, Nick Cannon's recent "whiteface" skit proved to be controversial amongst people of many different ethnicities & nationalities, etc. However, though, Cannon's skit, while *somewhat* insensitive for sure(though TBH, I personally wasn't offended), was probably *not* racist; and this isn't because People of Color are somehow magically immune from personal-level racist thought or actions(because *anyone* can be racist on a personal level, regardless of their status in society in *any* given country.). It is partly because whiteface did not have the same historical connotations that blackface did, and that Cannon did not express any prejudiced attitudes towards whites in general; this is basically the complete opposite of Bundy's rant.

[sheshe2]

7. TBH

One important thing that they left out(though not intentionally, I'm sure), is that not everything that does end up being insensitive necessarily crosses the line from plain prejudice or even just insensitivity into racism.

That is your opinion and your perspective. Yours. Have you asked a person of color what they believe to be insensitive or rude, condescending or outright racist? We have no right telling them what they should or should not feel. I never lived it, have you?

The inadequacy of a "good heart"

In attempting to defend herself against charges of racism, Paula Deen claimed that she has a "good heart." Juror B37 said the same thing about George Zimmerman.

When people make these claims I suspect they have pretty good evidence that the ones they are referring to have shown caring and concern to the people in their lives and that they do not exhibit hate for anyone. The underlying assumption is that racism involves hate.

But that's where they are mistaken.

The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of beauty is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, but indifference between life and death.

- Elie Wiesel

As a survivor of the Nazi concentration camps, Wiesel knows a thing or two about the topic.

The issue today is that most racism doesn't depend on hate - but indifference. We are indifferent to the lives and perspectives of people who are not like us. That's what allows jurors to see things from George Zimmerman's perspective but not from Trayvon's. Its what allows Paula Deen to fantasize about a slave-themed wedding reception. There is no empathy for the black person's plight.

http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-inadequacy-of-good-heart.html

[AverageJoe90]

12. My response.

That is your opinion and your perspective. Yours. Have you asked a person of color what they believe to be insensitive or rude, condescending or outright racist?

I did take this into account when I wrote that, by the way. Do note the comparisons between "whiteface" and "blackface", by the way. However, on the same note, it should be truthfully pointed out that just because an individual feels that something is insensitive, does not make it always so. For example, many white conservatives wrongly accuse people like Al Sharpton, for example, of racist bigotry when in fact, Rev. Sharpton is no bigot at all; all he does is tell the truth, as he sees it. As far as I know, this man has NO animosity against white folks as a whole.

We have no right telling them what they should or should not feel.

Okay, but that's not what I was doing, though.

I never lived it, have you?

I have experienced the occasional personal racism, yes(the one recent incident I can recall was done by a troll on a RawStory article about the Ani DiFranco fiasco.). However, to be truthful, this has all been idiots & other douchebags on the internet. Most PoC I have known in my personal life have been quite decent people, and I have not known any amongst the very small number of exceptions who were bigots(as far as I can recall).

The underlying assumption is that racism involves hate.

But that's where they are mistaken.

And sometimes, it doesn't require hate; casual racism may indeed only involve basic prejudices. That IS true. However, though, to be honest, it is definitely the exception rather than the rule these days, even amongst white people.

The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of beauty is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, but indifference between life and death.

- Elie Wiesel

And TBH, that is true: indifference really does make the problem worse, even if the indifferent individual may not be racist or even prejudiced at all; sadly, otherwise good people remaining largely apathetic has been a major problem throughout human history, on many subjects, whether in 1950s America or 18th century Russia. Which is why I feel education is key. (Unfortunately, as with other subjects, the American activist left, especially the far left, lost its way with communications some time ago, and even now, this remains a problem. We have some re-organizing to do if we want to really start succeeding.)

[kelliekat44]

8. Disagree. What divides us is FEAR. FEAR of losing power and fear of never having any. nt

[sheshe2]

13. However,

The topic of the Op is~

What divides us about racism: intent

[Cha]

9. It's so outrageously disgusting how the Extreme court 5 is trying to take

our country back into the last century, she. One of the main reasons for Dems to GOTV2014 and Forever!

smartypants nails it as usual!..

"And so, the next time someone says that what you've said/done is racist, know that a focus on your intentions is not the point. Its important to listen to how if effected them. In other words, its not all about you"

The world we live in now whether they like it or not..


Gbrisco @Fgbrisco
Follow
Hey Donald Sterling this is the world we live in now2014 get over it
2:29 PM - 26 Apr 2014
237 Retweets 187 favorites
Reply
Retweet
Favorite

[sheshe2]

14. That was my favorite quote from the article.

I had to fit it in, yup I surpassed the 4 paragraph rule. My bad.

Love that picture, Cha! Beautiful~

[Number23]

10. Your timing on this could not be more perfect

But I think you know that already.

Unlike many in this forum, you are a regular and frequent visitor/participant in the African American group. So like I said, I'm sure you know what we've been talking about and dealing with already.

[sheshe2]

11. I do, Number23.

Smartypants could not have stated it better. It is almost like she read 1SBM's OP and the one in AA.

BTW, were you finally able to see those gifs? They were priceless.

[ismnotwasm]

15. The term 'colorblind' is such bullshit

First of all it assumes we shouldn't embrace diversity, and second of all it send racism burrowing like a tick. IMO, whites (me) need to see , be aware, enjoy celebrations of color and culture; to not pretend we understand what someone 'of color' is experiencing or feeling in the context of race, because, well, we can't.

We can't. But we can learn to listen, with open ears and open minds, with mouths closed to some very uncomfortable truths. I'd rather be uncomfortable and learn than defend the indefensible with half truths and knee jerk responses.

[M0rpheus]

16. "But we can learn to listen, with open ears and open minds, with mouths closed"

[ismnotwasm]

19. ...

[Behind the Aegis]

17. THANK YOU!

I understand what people are trying to say, but many don't realize what they are really saying. It would be wonderful if we lived in a world where the color of your skin didn't mean anything, but that isn't reality. Differences shouldn't be used to disqualify, or denigrate. They should be used to enhance all of our lives. When I was in college, I saw Sarah Weddington (defender of Jane Roe, in Roe v. Wade) speak. She said America shouldn't be seen as a "melting pot" where everybody blends into everyone else, but rather as an "exquisite salad" where many types of items are brought together, complementing one another in a way that allows for individuality, while at the same time bringing something to the overall experience. I always liked that analogy. I am proud to be a spicy pickle in the salad!

We all have our stories, it makes us unique, and in that uniqueness, there is a sameness we should embrace, which will allow us greater understanding of those different from us, and, in some cases, not so different from us.

[ismnotwasm]

18. ..

[sheshe2]

22. Thank you BtA,

For the Sarah Weddington link and for her wonderful analogy.

Also

We all have our stories, it makes us unique, and in that uniqueness, there is a sameness we should embrace, which will allow us greater understanding of those different from us, and, in some cases, not so different from us.

Even if we take the time to walk in another's shoes, we will still only catch a glimpse of what they see. We can not possibly presume to know what they feel.

[sheshe2]

23. Thank you for that beautiful analogy from Sarah Weddington.

~And

We all have our stories, it makes us unique, and in that uniqueness, there is a sameness we should embrace, which will allow us greater understanding of those different from us, and, in some cases, not so different from us.

Even if we try walking in another persons shoes, we would only catch a glimpse of what they see yet never know what they feel. We could not presume to know, that's why in the end we must listen.

[sheshe2]

21. Exactly ismnotwasm.

If you haven't lived it you can not presume to know.

And so, the next time someone says that what you've said/done is racist, know that a focus on your intentions is not the point. Its important to listen to how it effected them. In other words, its not all about you

[Comrade Grumpy]

20. This goes as well to public policy, with the war on drugs being a case in point.

While, arguably, not racist in intent, it has become clear over time that the war on drugs targets minority populations. At this point, anyone defending the continuation of drug war policies must accept that he is defending racist policies.

As for colorblindness, why I am reminded of Anatole France's famous dictim: "In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike from sleeping under bridges"?