As a young Black person living in the 21st century, I’m often disappointed by how poorly people react when BIPOC stand up to the bigotry we face daily. I’ve started to realize that this defiance often stems from their fear of being labeled racist. However, the reality is that much of their behavior comes from ignorance and miseducation. If more people truly listened to those they’ve hurt and took accountability instead of lashing out or demonizing us further, they’d understand that, yes, race plays a role in nearly everything.
I say this because I wholeheartedly believe that everyone has subconscious racial biases—it’s part of being human. Some may act on these biases unknowingly, which is likely why people get so defensive when accused of racism. It’s crucial to understand that racism exists on a spectrum. It’s not just blatant acts like using slurs or joining hate groups. Racism can range from subtle acts, like excluding someone because of their race, to extreme and overt behaviors. What many people don’t realize is how harmful microaggressions can be.
For example, telling a Black woman, “You’re very pretty for a Black girl,” may seem like a compliment, but it’s actually disrespectful. The implication is that Black people are not typically seen as conventionally attractive. Do you see the problem now?
Personally, I’ve faced more than my fair share of microaggressions and have called them out when they happen. This has often led to me being isolated by my peers because I refuse to tolerate this kind of behavior. Still, I wish more people were open to having honest conversations about racism and unconscious bias rather than immediately assuming they’re being called racist.
The first step toward unity as a human race is understanding, followed by acceptance. To truly understand each other, we need to communicate and, most importantly, listen.
Signing off,
Anna.
AfroSkeptic 