1. Some people are afraid the conversation will end with somebody being called a racist.
2. Some people believe that the conversations SHOULD end with someone being called a racist.
3. Some people believe that every mention of the racial element in a particular situation MEANS that you’re calling someone a racist.
4. Some people believe that racism should never be called out.
5. Some people believe “Racism only matters if I can see it.”
6. Some people (even those who think racism is real and really ugly) believe that racism only matters if you can prove it.
7. Some people believe that any mention of unprovable racism adds more to the problem than does staying silent about it.
8. Some people believe that race problems will only be solved if “those other people” would
- a. stop their racist ways
- b. stop calling racism out
- c. stop mentioning race
- d. grow thicker skin
- e. pretend they are not in the skin they are in
9. Some people believe that other people will turn any possible controversial incident into a racial incident.
10. Some people believe that because of 9 above, they can dismiss any charges of a racial factor in an incident.
We can talk about race without only talking about racism.
We need to talk about racism. That racism talk can be productive at the beginning of the conversation (rarely, when sparked by an incident) or in the middle of the conversation (preferable), but should NEVER be the end of the conversation.
While race issues come with a host of possibilities of misunderstanding and over-reaction, the ability to perceive race problems rests with those who HAVE to deal with race on a daily basis, more than with those who do not.
In order for us to grow beyond our race problems in conversation, we have to be able to talk through stories and feelings even more than through logic, observation, objectivism and proposition.
We will never achieve total healing of race relations in this life, but if we are willing to bravely and humbly enter the conversation we can get substantial healing and we will all be the better for it.