The Burden Of Racism By White People
When a white person speaks up about racism, other whites tend to listen carefully and respectfully, even if they disagree. But more often than not, when blacks and people of color speak about racism, the instinct is to jump to conclusions, to interrupt, call them liars, question their intelligence or walk away from the conversation altogether.
Ending such a dialogue because one might feel uncomfortable does little to push the conversation forward, and reinforces white privilege. People of color live with the burden of institutional racism, but there are little-to-no consequences for whites who choose to ignore a historically violent and oppressive system from which they benefit every day.
Ending such a dialogue because one might feel uncomfortable does little to push the conversation forward, and reinforces white privilege. People of color live with the burden of institutional racism, but there are little-to-no consequences for whites who choose to ignore a historically violent and oppressive system from which they benefit every day.