“Isn’t Racism Over?”
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“Isn’t Racism Over?”
A question that astonished me - and the answer is no!
Hello friends,
“Isn’t racism over?”
This was an actual question I got from a white person I met In 2023. 2023!!!
And it made me realise how much work there still is to do.
While I was in England, I had conversations with lots of people. Some of them had read my book; others hadn’t. All of them were surprised to some extent by the experiences of racism I shared. And they were even more surprised to learn that these weren’t just things that had happened in the past - they were still happening today.
When I talk to my mum about her experience living in London in the 1960s, think about my experience in various parts of England in the 1990s, and discuss what my daughter is experiencing right now, it’s clear that there are commonalities.
Yes, some things have changed; but not enough has changed fast enough.
It is still possible to walk into an establishment and get the double take, as if your presence as a Black person is both unexpected and unwelcome.
It is still possible to have people not serve you in a restaurant.
It is still possible to be followed around a shop as if you’re a potential thief.
And it’s still possible - likely even - that in the course of any day you’ll be othered by a white person. That’s just the reality of being Black in England, and I don’t believe it’s any different for many Black people in the USA. I know it’s happened to me when I’ve been there.
The question also reinforces for me how different are the worlds we often live in. White people, for the most part, don’t have to think about racism at all. The “good white folx” raised to be “colour blind” truly believe that that’s enough to solve racism. Black people know that’s not the case.
Another thing that hasn’t changed is the tendency to gaslight Black people when they say racism is a factor in a particular incident - white people, for the most part, are simply oblivious to the nuances Black people have to know to keep themselves safe.
So, what does all this mean? Simply that increasing racial literacy and learning to spot racism are essential skills for all white people, and especially for antiracist advocates.
I’m curious: what types of racism can you spot now that would have eluded you in the past? And how are you using that knowledge in your antiracism journey?
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.
“Isn’t Racism Over?”
Something I have become much more aware of is how the concept of 'professionalism' is wielded to exclude and punish people in workplaces. Being helped to see these rules for what they are has been eye opening. The concepts of what is considered professional are usually based on highly specific cultural (White, middle-class) norms but not named as such, they're just presented as universal standards of good and appropriate behaviour (and therefore superior and essential), then these norms are coded into the standard for whole workplaces and professions, seldom defined adequately, and used to other anyone who does not behave according to those very specific cultural rituals. Forcing people to perform White middle-class behaviours to be considered acceptable in the workplace, and using this as the bench mark for good performance is wild and obviously harmful for anyone who is not White and middle-class.
Thank you for this piece, Sharon. I'm so sorry but unfortunately not surprised that you are still met with this hurtful response. Honestly, I have previously been that person who is 'shocked' at people's experiences of racism, until people guided me to realise that it was an active choice not to see it... And then learning how painful and racist that response of disbelief can be.
One aspect for me (as a white person) is having my eyes opened about the things I've never had to think about. E.g. I was in a group conversation the other day about holiday destinations and a black woman was talking about the research she has to do beforehand, her past experiences of racism whilst on holiday and the places she would never feel safe to take her family. The destinations we were discussing are really popular European places that I'd never have to think twice about booking.
Reflecting...