Discussing Race:
"I Reject Your Reality and Substitute My Own"
With recent occurrences that have been happening in the realm of social relations between different ethnic groups and looking at my Facebook Newsfeed, it has become readily apparent that people are discussing the institution of race and bigotry resulting from it. However while looking through many of these comments in silence, it seems to be a common thread among many of these heated discussions. The common thread: dismissive thinking.
For the sake of this writing I just want to clarify one thing: Race is a social construct and has no scientific bearing. So rather than talking about race is something that is scientific, I will talk about it within the context of it's status as a social institution.
From my observations it seems that in light of the Black Lives Matter movement the retort has been "All Lives Matter." This retort is problematic merely because it is dismissive. How you say? It is dismissive because it essentially says "All lives matter, so why is yours special?" or " Aww that's cute, but all lives matter equally. " Either way it is packaged, it is dismissive for two reasons.
1. It completely discounts the logic of what "Black Lives Matter" means:
When someone says that Black Lives Matter, it means that the life of a Black (or even other minorities) matter as much and the same as someone who is Euro-American or White. When people say "All Lives Matter" they dismiss that inference and substitute it using the logical fallacy akin to that of "because it's not there, it doesn't mean that." If English operated that way, then most of the world would be in trouble.
2. It completely silences a disenfranchised group:
Every single time something happens in a community full of African American or Black People, "All Lives Matter" advocates jump up and say it to drown out inherent injustice and disparities that are present in our community.
By this admission, it becomes clear that many people who exist out there also say that certain things "aren't about race" when quite clearly they are. For instance, there was a conversation on the wall of close friend and classmate of mines regarding African Americans or Blacks being told that they are "articulate." Some people said that it isn't an insulting thing and that it should be taken as a compliment. But another poster indicated that in her professional job, she was repeatedly told this by her White supervisor. This same supervisor never said this to any of her White counterparts.
Why is this racist? It's because there is a stereotype and an ongoing history of African Americans or Blacks having a lower intelligence quota compared to other groups. Additionally, because Blacks are more likely to use dialectical language that deviates from Standard American English, they are deemed inarticulate. So when someone white says to a Black person that they are articulate and does not mention it to others that are of a different group it's akin to saying "He's articulate for a Black man/woman." It is a statement planted in the grove of a stereotype.
Even in regards to general points of information regarding the state of African Americans in the United States, many people (even some African Americans who may just be misinformed) say that if we stop talking about race it will go away. ( Note: I've written about this before, have a look) However there is huge logical flaw within this argument posed that can be evidenced by many examples:
If we ignore a fire, it will go away
If we ignore the flea infestation, they'll die and go away
If we ignore the bridge pieces falling off the bridge, it will be fine
If we ignore the pothole, it will stay the same size
If we ignore this person's bad eating habits, they may be okay and might lost weight
If we ignore this person's stroke, they'll be fine
... Get it? The logical fault of not talking about race and it will go away falls into the same realm as these. These trains of logic create blatant absurdity! When something as long standing as racism is slated to go away, it's scary because it denotes that we are failing to do what even the most vehement addict does when they enter a Twelve Step Program. We are failing to admit and acknowledge that we as a country have a serious social problem bred from bigotry and intolerance.
To those who are non-minority, I ask that you be non-dismissive and listen (actively using your brain, not merely hearing) what people who are minorities are saying. It's troubling that we live in a world where people can be dismissive because things like being gunned down based on sheer suspicion or being removed from your home (a clear constitutional violation) aren't happening within their ethnic group systemically.
White privilege is real, and until people come to terms with and check it, then we are going to continue to have people reject other persons' realities and substitute their own. I frequently ask in my head "Why won't others see the world a different way?" And this question has prompted this post. If you are reading this... just actively listen and things may actually start making sense as to why Black people are fed up, saddened, angry, and disenchanted with what is going on now in the United States.
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