To educate and have conversations about race and racism must be one of the most arduous tasks of life.
I compare it to trying to convince people that there is a sky when they have never looked up nor do they want to. If I told them, particularly white people, that on a sunny day, they would argue against that. Even though they have never looked up so can’t imagine what I am talking about and most don’t want to.
There must be a level of madness attached to my method because who would willingly choose to be insulted every time they do something?
Conversations about race and racism are similar to volunteering to be a fire-fighter, walking into burning buildings without the necessary protective gear that ensures safety.
You are aware that should you enter the building the likelihood of you being burned is high, but you do it on the off chance that someone inside may need to be saved.
Talking about racism is similar to the above in that when you start talking about it, invariably the denials start then refuting what you’re saying and finally the insults. There are insults as to how you look, and if that doesn’t deter you, then racists would wish you or your children to be raped or murdered.
It works on your psyche and at times becomes too much to handle. The difference is though that there is no opt-out button for black and brown activists. At no time can they say they have had enough abuse and wish to leave because if they don’t find racism on the streets of social media, then it is on the streets outside.
I, personally do this in the hope that there would be good outcomes. That race and racism can be understood and that we can stand together as black and white and dismantle the systems that disadvantage us.
The madness of willingly subjecting oneself to abuse is done with the hope that the methods will be successful in teaching about it. It’s harmful, it’s dangerous, and it’s soul-destroying, but if the future generations could walk freer and live better lives, then it would have been worthwhile.
