Racism permeates our culture and society, all of our relationships, the way our collective resources are distributed, and the structures and institutions that hold our society together and keep our countries functioning as they do. Yet we have trouble seeing it. It almost seems intangible. It is so pervasive of our mind and being, that even when we are able to notice it for a split second, our awareness seems to fade at the next second. Just as we have learned to think and behave in ways that are discriminatory toward certain groups of people, we have also learned that it is important to remain in denial about what we have learned. Denial had to be an important part of our learning racism, or else we could not have effectively carried out our role as oppressors. However, even as it may be difficult for us to see our racism as individuals and as a culture, we have NO EXCUSE to go on pretending that it does not exist and that we are not in need of a social overhaul to undo and eliminate racist thinking and the structures and systems that keep it in place. Racism is a system of injustice that dehumanizes all peoples, no matter our race or class. We must begin to notice how it operates and how we behave in ways that are racist, in order to stop perpetuating these extremely destructive and dangerous patterns. As White people, we cannot blame ourselves for the racist attitudes we have unfortunately internalized having grown up in a culture permeated by racist ideas and images. However, it IS our responsibility to not continue to act on these damaging attitudes. That is why this question is so important, that we must keep asking it of ourselves and one another until we can develop new ways of thinking and being with each other, "Excuse Me, Have You Seen Your Racism Lately?"
This
writing by St. Anger © 2003, is available on her greeting card
in addition to the above design.
Proceeds from the sale of Diversity Arts products support St. Anger's mission
to promote a world of peace, unity, love, and justice.