Here you are talking about a particular "anti-racism," philosophy. In my opinion:
1) It is unrealistic to expect most rich people to give up their wealth and the system that supports them without a fight.
EO - and yet, that is exactly what is needed in order to attain that particular flavor of social justice. The same goes for anti-racism. You need to be aware of your innate privilege and NOT excersize it whenever possible.
2) Racism is a very real problem to people who are victimized by racist practices.
EO - And completely invisible, or at least avoidable, to those who are not victimized, thereby making it very easy to ignore, deny, and refuse to acknowledge.
3) The perception and experiences of all people are real and valid, including
people who are classified as white.
EO - Absolutely. The difference is, that when a person of color says that they have been victimized , it is often dissmissed as "whining" or "misunderstanding" or outright fabrication. The anti-racist has an obligation to apply the same standards of belief and validity to all people, including people of color.
4) Racism is reinforced by a political and social system based on economic exploitation. Ignoring the system won't make it go away.
EO - True, but only people of conscious, who are aware of racism and are actively working to un-do it can help make those systemic changes. White folks need to stand beside people of color in the fight against racism. But again, I want to emphasize that racism is NOT the victim's problem, it's the perpetrators problem. And if you aren't part of the solution...
5) There are people of all races and colors who are for the status quo and
who are trying to change or overturn the system. Some people who are not
victimized and are favored by racial discrimination may think that it is in their
interests to have effective enforcement of laws against racial discrimination.
EO - Or, more accurately, most people who are NOT affected by racism feel no need for enforcement, because they are either unable or unwilling to see the problem to begin with. Then Lt. Rich Stanek telling me with a straight face that there was no racial profiling in Minneapolis, for instance. I thought I was going to spit up my coffee on his nice clean uniform!
Personal story to make my Minneapolis specific point. When we put down a purchase agreement on our house in Lind-Bohanon back in 1995, we took a couple of nights and drove around the neighbrohood, talking with our new neighbors, at churches, at the local diner, on the street, and at the park. Without exception, every single white person we talked to, inquiring about the quality of the neighborhood, made some sort of remark about how the neighborhhod was "changing" "those people" were moving in, "immigration from Chicago", "crossing over from south of Lowry". An elderly nun told us, "well, the Blacks are moving in, ya know." A nun!!!
Every white person we talked to was giving us the scoop, sometimes in code, sometimes more blatant. But they were letting us know that there was one reason, and only one reason, why their neighborhood wasn't as nice as it used to be.
So, like I say, it ain't just law and policy, it's personal. And it will only change when people take it personally.
For anyone interested in a great overview article on white privilege, I recommend "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack", by Peggy McIntosh. Contact me offlist and I would be happy to mail you a copy. Also, if you are a member or are otherwise associated with the Minneapolis YWCA, there are monthly anti-racism trainings offered for FREE. Contact Joyce Yamamoto or Rick Purcell at 612-332-0501. The next one is 12/9/03 (I think).
Eric Oines Lind-Bohanon North Minneapolis
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall - think of it, always."
~ Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948), Agitator
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