Let’s have a real talk about some white people who think they’re so intelligent and unique with the arguments they bring forward in every race discussion like they haven’t chosen from the typical top choices that are used ALL THE TIME. So what are these top choices? In no specific order:
–Reverse racism / all lives matter
–There’s no such thing as privilege
–Tone and method policing BIPoC, including the good ole, “why couldn’t you have this conversation privately and behind closed doors? Why do you have to go public with this?” I ❤️ this one.
–The classic, “My one best friend/girlfriend or boyfriend/spouse is black so there’s no way I’m a racist and they agree!!”
–Irish were the first slaves / there already were slaves in Africa / Africans were the ones who sold their own people.
–Black on black crime ? ?
–Did you know the Democrats started the KKK and Republicans were the ones fighting to free slaves (therefore I, and all other Republicans supporting a racist president or policy, can’t be racist)
–The Christian angle: Just pray more / thoughts and prayers / only Jesus can change people so why bother / stop being so angry cause anger doesn’t change / you should be more like MLK / social and racial justice isn’t a Jesus issue / racism isn’t the problem, sin is
–If you just pick yourself up by the bootstraps, you wouldn’t be so oppressed / my ancestors had nothing when they came over! / Look at the Asians! They’ve been so successful! Why can’t you be like them??
–You shouldn’t be talking about race – you’re Asian. You’re not oppressed. You’re basically white with all your privilege.
–Property and profits over people.
–Lighten up, it was just a joke.
–And the newest one – saying someone is just virtue signaling.
White folks, have you been someone who has said these arguments? Have you taken the time to learn why they’re false and wrong?
It’s imperative you understand that it’s beyond exhausting to have to repeatedly respond to these oh so common wrong arguments. Do yourself and the rest of the world a favor and start first with reading, following thought leaders of color who teach on antiracism. There are plenty of resources and posts listing out essential anti-racist books, webinars, and podcasts teaching on this. However, if you need to dive more deeply and require some guidance to process through each of these fallacious arguments, sign up to receive updates on when we’ll be starting classes for just this sort of learning at The InBetween.
The only way we make our world better is by improving and moving forward together when we really take the time to learn, grow, empathize, and become self-aware.
