“The Next Era of Anti-Racism”

Many of us equate racism with Ku Klux Klan-style lynching.

Currently, we are light years away from our country’s abhorrent decision to steal Black people from their homes and enslave them. Knowing that progress is still to be made, our television screens and workplaces have nevertheless proliferated with Black faces in the past century. If Barack Obama can swear that he will “faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States”, how can we say that racism still plagues, and even largely exists, in modern-day America?

Despite my personal inability to speak coherently when the opportunity avails, there are a lot of ways to say this. We could start with the elephant in Minnesota’s living room: the murder of George Floyd. While Mr. Floyd was certainly beloved, one person’s injustice does not usually spur national outrage. The movement surrounding his death reminds us, instead, of something more sinister. Mr. Floyd was one of the many victims of a pattern. Let us open our ears to the millions of voices that insist as such.

However, this specific incident of indifference towards Black life was showcased. What about the ones that escape public scrutiny? What about the snickers, the disgruntled White person sneering that a Black peer “took their friend’s spot”, or the nervous laughter that damns a room when White people scream-sing the n-word? The genius of modern-day racism lies in its costume changes. Frankly, it could manifest itself in the mere privilege of not having to think about it.

So much of systemic racism is silence. Racism is not just a White supremacist; according to Merriam-Webster, systemic means “affecting the body generally.” While the average Joe does not advocate for segregation, he also does not talk about the malaise of redlining. He does not comment on the overrepresentation of both Whites in affluent suburbia and Blacks in impoverished ghettos. No. Instead, he lets his racist grandpa’s joke slide uncontested, and moves on to choose a dessert.

Most of us aren’t experts. We could worry about saying the wrong things, stressing over the prospect of unintentional offense or a peaceful dinner’s devolution. But at least we’d be saying something. In fact, “saying something” is the secret. In 1964, this nation pulled of an incredible anti-racist feat by signing into law the Civil Rights Act. Amazingly, a country once financed by slaves prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex and national origin. Yet, our work is not finished. The next era of anti-racism involves the uncomfortable task of looking inward. It does not necessarily require challenging our racist actions; instead, it involves an  honest confrontation with our racist indifference.

During a recent town hall, Black community members told their stories to a predominately White audience. Apathy is the name-of-the-game in suburban America: my town being no exception. At a time that merely allows for conversation through a screen, a Black mother bravely spoke up to peers both known and unknown to her. She relayed an unfortunate sentiment. “Before they go to college,” she said, “I tell my friends’ Black sons to make sure a White girl texts them their consent. I want a receipt; not for them to get wrongfully incarcerated.” She eyed us. “Is that the graduation gift I have to give to these Black men?”

Is it?

By Allison Hollender