Global Hip Hop And Social Justice And Racism
These last two years of college have been the most influential in my life in terms of being racially aware and contemplating/ attempting to understand social issues regarding racism and white supremacy. I’m currently enrolled in a class called Global Hip Hop and Social Justice that has challenged my understanding of race and racism extensively. I always said that I wasn’t racist, because I have no prejudice against people of different ethnicities and believe a persons worth has nothing to do with skin color or cultural traditions. However, we read an article in my social justice class about how even acts of “color blindness” and claiming to not be racist while also not doing anything to stop it is still ignorance to racism in the eyes of ethnically
diverse individuals. Now I find myself walking down the street and wondering if African Americans look at me and assume that I’m an over privileged White girl that thinks I’m better than them based on skin color. For the first time ever, I’ve had thoughts of shame because I’m White. It seems as if the only ways to identify White people are through these categories: colorblind White, racist White, and ignorant White. Why should I be proud of my race if that’s the common view around the world? Everything I’ve learned about the ugly reality of racism and White supremacy has made me hate myself, my Whiteness, and my ancestors for living in a time when slavery was considered normal. According to Petchauer (2012), some White people feel a sense of guilt from learning about the history of racism. However, guilt isn’t a productive way to act towards being a better person, so I’m learning to become more aware of global situations and any forward progress I can make to help on an individual level.
diverse individuals. Now I find myself walking down the street and wondering if African Americans look at me and assume that I’m an over privileged White girl that thinks I’m better than them based on skin color. For the first time ever, I’ve had thoughts of shame because I’m White. It seems as if the only ways to identify White people are through these categories: colorblind White, racist White, and ignorant White. Why should I be proud of my race if that’s the common view around the world? Everything I’ve learned about the ugly reality of racism and White supremacy has made me hate myself, my Whiteness, and my ancestors for living in a time when slavery was considered normal. According to Petchauer (2012), some White people feel a sense of guilt from learning about the history of racism. However, guilt isn’t a productive way to act towards being a better person, so I’m learning to become more aware of global situations and any forward progress I can make to help on an individual level.