Right now, I am currently on the third chapter of White Fragility by Robin Diangelo. Much like, Caste by Isabel Wilkerson, I find this is a must read. If you are truly interested in wondering why people say everyone has racist thoughts/ideas/beliefs when you feel you are 'the least racist' person you know, please try these books with an open mind. If you also do not understand when people say there is systematic racism in our country, please read these books with an open mind. It may hurt, you may be angry, but listen.
If you think "I don't see color," is a good thing to say. Please re-think that. Do you want people to look at you and not see what you are??? Do you get mad when people don't use your correct name? When you say you don't see someone as black, that is a HUGE part of themselves. That is how the world sees them, to ignore that, is to assume they float through life as easily as you do. THEY DO NOT.
One thing I read so far that stuck out to me, is that to spot racism may have been easier during Jim Crow because at least people were honest about their biases and dislike for black people. Now, people have entire conversations and do not use the word race, but people can know what they mean. But, they can turn around and say, 'oh, no that's not what we were talking about.' Just because you don't say the word!
There are a lot of well meaning people out there and I know people want to do the right thing. So to do the right thing, you need to get uncomfortable. When you know better, you do better.
Have you read this book? What are other books on race or class that you've read and recommend?
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