Oftentimes, when one points out the failings of white people, in one form or another “liberal” white people say, “but, remember, not all white people!”
Here’s the thing … don’t do that.
It’s kind of like that Black Lives Matter thing … of course, all lives matter, but it’s pretty obvious that black lives don’t in this nation. So we say, “Black Lives Matter.”
So, of course, not all white people. But what do you want? Do you want a cookie because you’re nicer? Or, as Chris Rock recently said, you are “the nicest white people America has ever produced.” Good for you, you’re not as racist as other white people. That doesn’t mean you don’t have work to do, or that you don’t still have to fight against your internal biases every single day of your life. Because guess what? You do.
This want for recognition is a want, or an ask, that we point out the “good white people,” which is insulting and oftentimes a form of racism.
It comes across as a white person needing to teach us that not all white people are the same. Well, the fact that you believe that you have to point it out, is paternalism. It’s you not believing that we know there are different people out there. That we’ve never heard of abolitionists, or of white people doing anti-racist work.
It also means that this person doesn’t see the fact that there are different forms of racism, racism that isn’t based in hate. And oftentimes they don’t see or understand that many of these “good white people” take part in racism and white supremacy.
Paternalistic and infantile racism is rampant in “good white people” that are very often liberal white people. Most of the time they don’t even see it. In the Bernie Sanders campaign, many of his supporters are probably the most visible example of this today. The city of Madison also is a great example of this. So often, these “good white people” and their support come with strings.
There has long been a history in more liberal circles that black Americans just need to be taught, that if only we knew certain things then we would be able to break free of our shackles. That we can’t decide what is best for us and it’s up to the “good white people” to teach and show us what we don’t know. The “good white people” assumption is that we don’t know.
You think we don’t know the history of white abolitionists or Quakers who, unfortunately, are great examples of paternalistic racism. You think we don’t know about national white anti-racist educators like Tim Wise, who has been problematic, as well, particularly when it comes to silencing black women. Problematic in how he takes up a lot of space that people of color should be in and becomes defensive when confronted about this. And then dismisses the concerns.
Yes, we need white people doing anti-racist work, but not at the public experience of black people. Not in taking up space that could be given to a person of color to speak about white supremacy.
But, back to Bernie and his supporters: Far too often I have seen and experienced a Bernie supporter (typically a white male) telling me, “Bernie is who’s best for black people!” And it is always comes across in a condescending “teaching” manner; as if I’m incapable of understanding him and his policies.
The fact of the matter is this: one’s need to affirm that they are a “good white person” is downplaying the racism that we face. How am I to know? I don’t know you or how you move, how many friends do you have that aren’t white? And how close are they to you? I don’t know how many times you go into non-white spaces, and if you actually feel comfortable.
Let’s remember that “good white people” are responsible for some of the largest racial disparities in the nation that we face right here in Madison and Dane County. Let’s remember that “good white people” have created an atmosphere on our prestigious UW campus that has long been inhospitable to students of color who have quietly endured underlying racism and discrimination for decades. And, worse, more “good white people” from the top administration on down have turned a blind eye to it.
There seems to be a need to so many white people to be validated that they aren’t racist, but here’s the thing, you are racist. Too many people think that racism only means you spew hate, and take part in obvious racism, when it’s much more subtle than that. It’s you not hiring someone because they’re not a “good fit.” It’s people freaking out over Cam Newton. It’s you not sitting next to the black or brown person on the bus or waiting area. It’s the slight tension or anxiety you feel around black people. It’s you feeling the need to continue to center you, yourself, and your experience and view as a white person when a black person is saying that your people are hurting them.
It’s dismissing a black person’s experience because you don’t see it. It’s believing that a black person voting for Hillary Clinton isn’t informed and you must teach them. It’s Hillary Clinton dismissing and deflecting when confronted by BLM protesters.
Let’s remember that “good white people” are responsible for some of the largest racial disparities in the nation that we face right here in Madison and Dane County. Let’s remember that “good white people” have created an atmosphere on our prestigious UW campus that has long been inhospitable to students of color who have quietly endured underlying racism and discrimination for decades. And, worse, more “good white people” from the top administration on down have turned a blind eye to it.
As my white friend Nate said, “There’s the need to be ‘good’ and the need to be ‘right’ and eliminating anything challenging the truth of their goodness and rightness means erasing black experience.” This mentality is dangerous as it prevents all future needed learning that you must take part in. And because it also takes part in erasing the black experience, it is a form of racism.
There’s also a saying “If it don’t apply, let it fly” and many more times than not, when talking about white people, there’s a lot of you that it doesn’t apply to, so let it fly.
So, honestly, I don’t give a damn about “good white people” because that’s just you doing what you should be doing. Being a good human being. I will not center your whiteness because you need to validate yourself as “good” and not racist. Not to mention, for many white allies you have the ability to walk away from being allies.
We can’t walk away from this fight.
We need accomplices, not allies. Allies keep holding conversations as we do here in Madison, especially UW-Madison, but it doesn’t lead to much action. Particularly in institutions that claim to want to work for “diversity.”
The need of the good white people to be recognized as such is insulting and erasing our experience. So, yes, there are many white people that I know and respect who do good work. They know how I feel about them.
I understand the “not all white people.” I know this very well.
And I don’t hate white people. Actually, some of my best friends are white…
