Bigotry Is Not OK
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Hello friends,
The title says it all. Bigotry is not ok.
As I posted on LinkedIn some time back:
I am for equality and against bigotry. That means I am against:
racism
anti-Blackness
anti-LGBTQIA2S+ sentiments
antisemitism
ableism
xenophobia
and other types of bigotry
So, why am I bringing this up now? Because I recently came across a Black man (who had been introduced to me as a key supporter of an important anti-racism mission) implying that there was something wrong with being gay. That’s homophobia, and I know it caused harm to some people in the room, even if they had not revealed they were gay. That was not ok.
I raised it with the person who made the introduction, and I plan to have a more detailed conversation with them soon. It is not ok to let it slide.
That leads me to another point. As my grandparents used to say, two wrongs don’t make a right.
Just because we have been discriminated against, it doesn’t mean we should discriminate against others in turn.
I decided a long time ago that I did not want to make anyone feel the way the racists made me feel when I lived in France. For me that means, being against all those types of bigotry I listed at the start.
And it means that even if there is anti-Blackness in other communities - and we know there is - that doesn’t make it right for me, as a Black woman, to be bigoted against those communities.
I’m not saying I always get it right. I mess up. In fact, that LinkedIn post was made after I inadvertently liked a post with sentiments that didn’t match my values and was called in for it. When I mess up, I follow the advice I give you: I accept responsibility, apologise, do what I can to repair any harm, and avoid making the same mistake again. I don’t look for cookies either.
That’s what I did then, and that’s what I’ll continue to do.
But the important thing here is that I actively set out to avoid discriminating against others - as an anti-racist, how can I do any less?
What do you think?
Thanks for reading,
Sharon
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© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2023. All Rights Reserved.
Cover photo courtesy of Canva.
I am an anti-racism educator and activist, Co-Founder of Mission Equality, the author of “I’m Tired of Racism”, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast.
Bigotry Is Not OK
Ms. Hurley-Hall, to me bigotry is form of intolerance. A refusal to see other points of view other than their own. Bigotry is an attempt to classify marginalized people into groups to focus on by the bigots to hate . Bigotry is intolerance in action, using unfounded assumptions and sweeping generalizations. Bigotry causes hate and polarizes people- pitting one against another. As far as I'm concerned, bigotry has no saving graces. It doesn't solve problems it only creates them. All the things you mentioned in your story are based on inequality and intolerance. These things, I also abhor.
I support your thoughts about 2 wrongs don't make a right. By being bigoted, you are lowering yourself to their levels and being hypocritical as well.You are also incredibly humble, a trait that I value highly. Quite simply, you practice what you preach. You take your own advice and act accordingly.
Thank you for so clearly explaining intersectional solidarity and how we can continue to grow together. I also appreciate that you list other forms of bigotry as there’s generally some kinds that aren’t currently on our radar. I am grateful for your leadership.