I’ve dedicated a significant part of my life to understanding racism. As a white American who grew up striving to combat racial prejudice, I’ve participated in various seminars and workshops aimed at healing racial divides since childhood. I’ve spent my free time delving into the history of race relations in the United States, engaging with friends and family members from minority backgrounds about their experiences, and sharing insights through my writing on how white individuals can contribute to the fight against racism.
While I don’t claim to be an expert, my familiarity with the subject leaves me puzzled by those who label discussions about race and the acknowledgment of racism as “divisive.” This accusation frequently appears online, particularly in comment sections, and each time it surprises me. When people assert that President Obama has been “the most divisive president” or claim that racial tensions in America have been exacerbated by his presidency, it underscores the substantial work that remains ahead of us.
In striving to understand different perspectives, I recognize that some well-meaning individuals may believe that since there is only one human race (which is true), and that race is a social construct (also true), discussing “race” and “racism” perpetuates the issue (which is false). While race may lack biological foundations, its social implications have profoundly influenced history and are deeply intertwined with America’s narrative. The historical ramifications of the concept of race include countless instances of prejudice, discrimination, and oppression, shaping individual and community identities.
Ignoring the existence of race or hoping it will vanish if we don’t acknowledge it is not a viable approach. I believe that many people are simply unsure how to engage in conversations about race and racism, interpreting their discomfort as divisiveness. Indeed, discussing these topics can be challenging. However, the burden of dealing with racism has been overwhelmingly borne by people of color for centuries. It is only recently that white Americans have begun to confront our own biases and the institutional privileges we have inherited.
Our defensive reactions—saying things like “I’ve never enslaved anyone!” or “I don’t even see color!”—reflect our discomfort when faced with our role in the racism equation. However, we must push beyond that defensiveness to acknowledge that 1) racism exists regardless of whether we discuss it, and 2) we, as white individuals, have a significant responsibility in dismantling it. It is our obligation to address the legacy of what Yawo Brown aptly refers to as “polite white supremacy.”
Those who view conversations about race and racism as divisive seem to forget how recent it is that we can even discuss these issues openly. Historically, minorities have not had the luxury of voicing their concerns without fear of retribution. The civil rights leaders we celebrate, like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., faced severe consequences for their actions. Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat, and King endured multiple incarcerations for advocating for justice.
While we have made progress over the past 50 years, allowing people of color to speak out against injustice with less fear than before, we still face significant social challenges. To illustrate, consider this analogy: imagine a child being bullied on a playground. After enough complaints, the teacher intervenes and stops the bullies from physically harming him. However, the bullies continue to obstruct his path to the slide. When he seeks the teacher’s help again, she dismisses his concerns, stating he’s no longer in danger and is just being divisive. This is the same feeling many experience when discussing racism.
True unity cannot exist without justice, and we are not there yet. How can it be considered divisive to highlight racial injustice, institutional inequality, or the ongoing repercussions of historical oppression? Ignoring these issues does not make them disappear; rather, it perpetuates the cycle of harm.
To heal the deep wounds that racism has caused—and continues to inflict on many of our fellow citizens—we must engage in these difficult conversations. They won’t always be easy or comfortable, but they are essential. Discomfort does not equal divisiveness. If we aim to be part of the solution, we must embrace that discomfort. Genuine unity lies beyond it, but we can only reach that point through honest, challenging dialogues.
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In summary, discussing race and racism is not merely a divisive act; it is an essential endeavor that helps us move toward a more just society. Embracing uncomfortable conversations about these topics is crucial to fostering understanding and unity.