I don’t want to bore you here, but I think another recap is necessary. So real quick, here is the conversation I was going to address today: One individual challenged the idea of systemic racism, or was at least inquiring about it, and asked if an acknowledgement or acceptance of the idea of systemic racism was the equivalent of a finger point to one party and an abdication of responsibility where other persons were concerned.
I want to start with a definition because I think it is important for us to be on the same page if we are going to address this topic. As far as definitions for systemic racism, I like the one set forth by the Toronto Mayor’s Committee on Community and Race Relations as it is simple and straight-forward. It reads as follows: “Systemic Racism includes the policies and practices entrenched in established institutions, which result in the exclusion or promotion of designated groups. It differs from overt discrimination in that no individual intent is necessary” (http://www.aclrc.com/forms-of-racism).
Did anything jump out at you there? It does for me. The words no…intent might as well be in bold-faced font and highlighted as far as I’m concerned. Why? Well, for one thing, it makes this form of racism a lot harder to combat. Where there is intentionality, there is a reason. It is possible that there is no rational reason, but there exists a reason nonetheless.
Let’s back up for one moment. I think we all very, very aware of individual racism, no? We’ve witnessed heinous and monstrous acts committed because of individual racism. The deviousness of systemic racism is that it tempers the atrocities that occur as a result of individual racism. Systemic racism helps bury acts of individual racism far, far underground. There are fairly obvious examples of this, but let’s be absolutely crystal clear. The killing of George Floyd was an act of individual racism. The lack of swift action on the part of law enforcement and the justice system is a primary example of systemic racism. Our society is accustomed to making excuses for this kind of behavior or minimizing its impact, and thus, justice is was not served. Sure, all four police officers were eventually arrested, but it took too damn long. You can fight me on this but I can tell you with certainty that if the roles were reversed and a person of color brutally killed a white person, the response would have been far different. That is just a reality. If you doubt me, please do your research. You can start with the reports that The Sentencing Project publishes speaking to “…Disparities in the U.S. Justice System.” That is just the tip of the iceberg though. If you need other sources, feel free to comment. Happy to share.
Okay. So now we have down the basics of systemic versus individual racism, right? Again, I am giving you broad strokes here people. High level shit. I just want to make sure we are generally in the same stratosphere.
Let’s now go back to the conversation I had. Does systemic racism exist? You bet your ass it does. It’s everywhere. I gave you one example but it is pervasive throughout the United States in a fairly embarrassing fashion. Do the research. Education, employment and hiring practices, and access to sporting and recreational organizations are just a few areas/examples. You don’t have to take my word for it. There is a shit ton of information out there, provided by reputable sources.
Okay, so if we can all agree that systemic racism exists, even if we disagree on its reach (I say really fucking far), does that mean we are just blaming one group of people? Are white people evil? Are they singularly responsible for fucking up the world and being hateful? Is it “on them” to fix this problem? Well, no. It’s not. I am sure you know what I am going to say here but it is going to take ALL OF US. That’s right. This is a concept that seems difficult for people to process, particularly now when we seem more divided than ever.
Here is a reality that is tough to swallow for of us, we are comfortable in what we know. Even the shit that feels horrifying and antiquated…we wear that garbage like a superhero cape. We weave those facts into our existence and our everyday outrage seems appropriate and status quo. Nope. Sorry. That’s not good enough. We cannot just keep making this a momentary issue. You know what I’m going to say, right? So annoying, I know. We have to be ready to admit some tough stuff, say some scary things, and maybe look a little bad. We have to start putting a spotlight on all the things we think and know and feel in order to begin to move the mountain.
You know what that looks like? Let me show you. According to the ACLU, “[m]arijuana use is roughly equal among Blacks and whites, yet Blacks are 3.73 times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession” (https://www.aclu.org/issues/smart-justice/sentencing-reform/war-marijuana-black-and-white). Many people will not care about this statistic because in their mind, someone arrested with drugs is someone arrested with drugs. What happens to them is not meaningful. But what if I told you that when you accept that fact, you are not just accepting racism when it comes to those in possession of drugs, you are accepting a bottom line bias in our judicial system. You are saying that the concept of inequity in the apprehension and sentencing of individuals is ‘okay’ with you. Is it really? Why? Because it won’t impact you ever? What if I told you that the same statistic read ‘white women’ and ‘white men’ instead? Would you care at that point? What if I subbed in a religious group? What if I found one of YOUR identifiers and slipped it in there. Still nothing? What if I changed it to ‘being pulled over’ or ‘not moving onto the second round of interviews’? What about then?
But I said everyone has to jump in here, right? What that means is that there is work for everyone to do. Example? Well, people of color in this country have to get out and vote. Sure, there are obstacles that are put in the way (ahem, systemic racism), but there are many, many folks that can vote, and don’t vote. That’s just one example. We can talk about this again, but I want you to understand that everyone has a role to play. Is there fault in the perpetuation of systemic racism? Sure there is. Does finger-pointing help us? Nope. We have to hold people accountable. Hold them to task. Demand better. Demand more. Vote in new representatives. Lobby for new laws. Support worthy organizations.
You want things to change? Me too. The first step is admitting there’s a fucking problem and guess what? I just gave you that. Time to move on to the work…
Have a great weekend. Maybe spend a little time deciding what YOU are going to do.
Talk to you Monday.
L.
thepathtoworthy.com 