General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Silence Makes White People Racist [View all]YoungDemCA
(5,714 posts)Sometimes, it's better and more enlightening to listen than to talk-especially on issues like racial discrimination and oppression of African-Americans and other minority groups (a reality of which even well-meaning liberal white people are too often, hopelessly ignorant).
In any particular movement for social justice, members of the oppressed group in question have every right to speak of their experiences; but, just as importantly, they also have the right to have their voices heard by those outside their community. In other words: white Americans should absolutely be a part of the solution to racism and discrimination, but they also must not-no, SHOULD NOT-be the ones dominating the discussion.
For, as we all are (hopefully) aware, African-Americans and other people of color have had to live for centuries under a white-dominated society-with horrendous and often-fatal consequences, with the anguish of countless black women and children, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers....facing the reality of racism, and figuring out how to live in a society and a country whose official and unofficial proclamations claim to provide freedom and equality, liberty and justice for all....but the actions of this country's dominant culture and its institutions of power and privilege, time and time again, betray those ideals in a cruel, vicious, and just plain unjust way.
Therefore, the least we can do, as well-meaning white people who see the racism and injustice, are angered and saddened and downright horrified by it, and desperately want to "do something about it" is to be a part of the discussions, part of the organizing, part of the activism-without taking on a dominant role. Otherwise, we'd be playing the role of paternalistic, condescending, "we are the ones who REALLY know what's best for you" white people all over again. If we (as in white people) end up dominating and managing and leading the effort against the closely linked evils of American racism and white supremacy....well, that would be a cruel irony indeed.
I reiterate: It's the least white anti-racists can do.