On Episode 39 of the My American Meltingpot podcast, I explain my agenda for white America in light of recent events in New York City and Minneapolis. Essentially, it’s time for white people to fix America’s race problem.
Here’s a taste of what you’ll hear on this incredibly important Meltingpot Minute.
Black Lives Matter
“Black people have been marching, protesting and reminding the public that Black Lives Matter for centuries, but it hasn’t really moved the needle in ending racism. We’ve changed laws, yes, but we haven’t dismantled racism. We haven’t been able to convince white and white adjacent people that Black lives are as inherently worthy as their own.
Racism is Like an Addiction But We All Feel the Pain
Racism is an illness that white people suffer from. All white people. Even the white people who don’t feel like they caught the racism. Trust me, they have it. But let’s just say, you’re one of the white people who might consider themselves super woke and not racist. I’m proud of you and happy for you. But you still have to do the work that Black people cannot do. You must be the doctors that help your fellow racist white brothers and sisters out.
Racism is like an addiction. And like anyone who suffers from an addiction, you can’t solve the problem for the addict. They have to do the work themself. First they have to admit that they have a problem and then they have to be willing to do the work to rid themselves of the problem.
Black people could have the definitive 12-step Racists Anonymous guidebook or even the racism equivalent of methadone and it wouldn’t help if white people won’t accept the fact that they are in fact sick.
#FixYourselves
White people, this is your problem to solve. And here’s the thing. You’re not solving the racism problem to make Black people feel good. You’re curing yourself from an insidious affliction that hurts you just as much as it hurts people of color. Just like a drug addict may feel good when he inhales, or shoots up, we all know he’s killing himself. The same is true for racism. And just like second hand smoke, your addiction hurts all of us too.
So, white people get to work. Fix yourselves. Fix your families. Fix your kids. Make this your number one issue. Talk about it at book club. Pray on it at church. Have conferences. Go on retreats and meditate on it. I believe in you. I know you can do it. I mean, if you can put a man on the moon, you can definitely rid yourselves of racism. People of color want you to do this for yourselves. We know you’ll feel so much better when you’ve rid yourself of racism. And we will certainly feel better too.”
Resources for Further Study
Teaching Tolerance – An educational organization that provides social justice resources for parents and educators.
Embrace Race – A parent-led organization that creates tools and resources for parents and educators to raise children who can confidently navigate issues of race and identity and be stewards of social justice.
An Anti Racist Reading List compiled by author Ibram X. Kendi for the New York Times.
Podcasts for Learning about Racial Justice
Comments
4 responses to “Ep# 39: Dear White People, You Must Fix Your Racism Problem”
Lori, I just found your blog and enjoyed a few articles. This one, however, leans racist. I get your point, but I gotta call you out. For background, I’m middle-aged, Caucasian, single, feminist, female, Los Angeles social worker by profession. I’ve worked for 22 years with the most culturally and economically diverse group of Americans in the country, helping them resolve child abuse, or keeping their children away from them if they fail. Half my family voted Trump (from Utah) and one of my brothers is his devotee. Half my family (including progressive nieces here in L.A., their dad, my sister) voted for Clinton, but they don’t all think alike either. I’m progressive, no longer a Democrat, now Independent. I look for facts and evidence, and then let my emotions speak. All sides have a good point to make, but fighting leads to winners vs losers, and not progress. There’s too much to say about current events. Media is part of the problem itself. I’ll say that if the media showed videos of the white people killed by police–and there are more white victims than black–it would give society a broader picture of police brutality. And if media showed videos or pictures of the millions of women beaten and murdered in their homes by male partners–then maybe we could protest for our suffering sisters. Media has a perspective and promotes the stories that fit that agenda. As to your blog–this article makes assumptions that cause compassionate and fair-minded white people tune out. First, racists come in all colors. Blacks are racist too, against Asians, Latinos, Middle Easterners, whites, and other blacks. Second, people who are racist toward black people are not all white–check your local Hispanic and Asian friends, you’ll hear it. Third, telling people to “fix yourselves” is like telling someone to “Fix America.” What the hell does that mean? Bias, prejudice, overt racism, overt SEXISM (the pervasive crime that media rarely discusses) is complex. We all have bias and assumptions, and most of us are sometimes racist–even if we believe we are fair and progressive–because the rules of what someone considers racist keeps changing. All of us need to be open -minded about ourselves and understand that our education about one another never stops. Also, none of us alone represents our race. There is much room for diversity within.
Chris,
First, let me say that I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences and your response to my podcast. It helps me a lot to see how my words and my messages land. ‘
Next, I cannot address all of your concerns and points here as I think there is a lot to unpack in your statement. I do plan to continue to write and talk about these issues however, so I invite you to keep tuning in, and hopefully you will hear me clarify some of the things you take issue with.
That being said. The definition of racism that I adhere to is obviously different from yours. I acknowledge and know that all humans are biased and we all discriminate against others based on race, religion etc. However, the definition of racism is more than discrimination. It is discrimination + power. In a society where Black people do not hold the reigns of power, we cannot wield the wand of racism.
If Black people stopped “discriminating” against Asian people tomorrow, police brutality, the glaring wage gap, the inability to sit in a Starbucks and wait for a friend, and the ability to go jogging at night and not get killed, would not change. On the other hand, if white people stopped being racist, those things would change.
I agree with you 100 percent that there is room in this world for all people to do their own work on improving themselves. But white people in America have to do some serious heavy lifting because it is white racism that has this country on its knees.
And regarding the media. Yes, many media outlets are struggling. Many media outlets are biased. I say, pick the media outlet that you know you can trust and support them so that they can continue to do good work.
Again, I appreciate you taking the time to share as it helps me make sure my message is clear.
Be well!
Thank you for these lovely resources. As a black woman, I already struggled to have these conversations with myself. Now as a mother, I dread having to explain this painful history to my biracial son.
Sending positive vibes from Minnesota
Errol, You are most welcome. And stay safe!