Because this is long overdue...
Many times in my writings on race, racism, prejudice, and discrimination, I speak in regard to the black and white people in America. In one article, I submitted a disclaimer that read as follows:
It should be noted that for the purpose of this article, as with the other articles in this series, I will, for the most part, be using the vast division between America’s black and white populace for context. It is not to say that the Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, Native American, and/or Pacific Islander populace has not suffered the same racism and prejudices as blacks. But it is my opinion that America’s majority generally see race in terms of black and white. Still, at any time, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, Native American, and/or Pacific Islander, can be substituted for black.
While this will probably continue to be the case in my writing, I feel the need to make an admission. When speaking about race, racism, prejudice, and discrimination in America, it is necessary to place an emphasis on the ideology of whiteness, white privilege, and the system of white supremacy. When doing so, I often speak generally about white people. However, in my sensitivity about race, I realize that I have been insensitive to those white people who do not partake in and who refuse to adhere to this system of white supremacy. They refuse to be a part of the racist culture that is so pervasive in our society.
For every black person and every other person of color who feels powerless, there are just as many white people who feel the same way. I have to applaud those who stand with others, and myself and those who speak up and out when they see injustices. They don’t have to do that, but they do. Its not their fight, but they put themselves in unpopular positions with their peers, and run the risk of being ostracized from the communities that feel a certain, collective righteousness in doing they’re doing. The hardest thing to do in this life is to walk alone, so I can understand how you feel.
And then there are those white people who feel guilt for not speaking up, or for not having done more. I only have this to say to them: Regardless of what you’ve been told, sometimes, beliefs and attitudes are more important than actions. Of course there will always be those who say one thing (or nothing at all) but do another, but that works both ways. Some people do certain things (when in the spotlight), but say another (in private). While you may or not be quick to action, it is just as powerful to raise your children with anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic, and anti-discriminatory attitudes and beliefs, and from many of my experiences, I can attest to the fact that that is exactly what you do.
I can see that you continuously try to put yourself in my shoes. Sometimes you may not be able to see things from my perspective. How can I blame you for that? In the same way that you may not be able to relate to my particular pain and suffrage because you’ve never been placed in those particular circumstances or have had the opportunity to see the world as I do, I can’t relate to or know what it’s like to be raped because it hasn’t happened to me. But I can understand the pain and have compassion and advocate for those who have, because, well…I’m human, and I don’t have to experience the actual physical pain to feel emotional when it happens to someone else.
It must be hard sometimes to read the work of myself and others on the topic of race. It must feel like white-people-bashing. I can assure you that it’s not. Not from my standpoint, anyway. I specifically address the ideology of whiteness, white privilege, and the system of white supremacy in regard to race, racism, prejudice, and discrimination. From where I stand, you are ardent and compassionate in your unwillingness to subscribe to these systems. I felt the need to write you more than a mere few sentences per article to explain this. You needed a singular diary from me to show you my appreciation, love, support, and kudos. For the many of you who have thanked me for the work I am doing, I have to shake my head, point at you and say, “No…You. Thank you!”
Sincerely,
Will Smith, MS Ed