scared of writing race

[tielan]

My two rules of writing about That Which I Know Not:

1. Research. Research. Research.
2. Be prepared to take criticism for what I get wrong. Apologise. Work out where I went wrong. Keep an eye out against it happening again.

I'll admit that writing about race goes out of my safe space: I don't have the lingo, I don't have the credentials, the question of my racial identity has been one without the degree of trouble that others experience, and I haven't the faintest idea where to start or end the deconstruction of my perspectives and prejudices let alone other people.

And after every post I make about race, I'm terrified.

I'm terrified that my friends who don't have to think about the issues of race and culture will say, "Oh, look, it's T being all angsty about her race issues again; pass on to the next post and don't catch her eye!"

I'm terrified that my friends who have to live with issues of ingrained, systemic, unchallengeable racism all the time will say, "Great, just what we need - another pretender to race issues."

Sometimes, I think it would be easier to sit down, shut up, and never blog about race again. To hell with that - I know it would be easier just to keep my head down, don't make eye contact, and go with the flow. Think happy thoughts. Squee when everyone else squees. Don't try to challenge the status quo, because it doesn't change anything - people aren't lightbulbs, they don't just need changing, they have to want to change, too.

I just don't think it would be the right thing to do. I don't think I should be comfortable with sitting down and shutting up and not at least trying to change perspectives, even if it's only one person at a time - even if it's my perspective that needs changing.

links for clarification
deepad | shewhohashope | willow
ladyjax

Comments

[skywardprodigal.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this.

I see this post as what happens when one of us decides to do right by themselves and others who have been/are othered.

And by my lights you're not a pretender.

[ladyjax.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes and yes again.

You walk through your terror and come out on the other side every time. That's a tough thing to do but then change is tough any way you slice it. What matters is that you handle it all with grace and I love you for it.

[beatrice_otter]

The racism you face is different than what other people face. That doesn't mean it's non-existent, or that it hasn't affected you. I usually go on the default of "more perspectives=better" on complicated issues, because that doesn't let you forget that the issue is complicated, and doesn't look the same from all angles.

Granted, I may be biased here, because the simple perspective on white people and racism is that white people are bad oppressors who do nothing but perpetuate the system in which they are privileged and do nothing more than the occasional noise about not being prejudiced.

[blacksquirrel.livejournal.com]

I appreciate what you have to say

[foxyinthecity.livejournal.com]

I don't think so either. And I admire you for not wanting to take the easy path. To sit down and shut up and pretend that it doesn't exist - what does that accomplish? I live with race issues every day as a person and as part of a community and I rather see it address than pretending it doesn't.

So whenever you want to speak about it, please do.

[skywardprodigal.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this.

I see this post as what happens when one of us decides to do right by themselves and others who have been/are othered.

And by my lights you're not a pretender.

[ladyjax.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes and yes again.

You walk through your terror and come out on the other side every time. That's a tough thing to do but then change is tough any way you slice it. What matters is that you handle it all with grace and I love you for it.

[beatrice_otter]

The racism you face is different than what other people face. That doesn't mean it's non-existent, or that it hasn't affected you. I usually go on the default of "more perspectives=better" on complicated issues, because that doesn't let you forget that the issue is complicated, and doesn't look the same from all angles.

Granted, I may be biased here, because the simple perspective on white people and racism is that white people are bad oppressors who do nothing but perpetuate the system in which they are privileged and do nothing more than the occasional noise about not being prejudiced.

[blacksquirrel.livejournal.com]

I appreciate what you have to say

[foxyinthecity.livejournal.com]

I don't think so either. And I admire you for not wanting to take the easy path. To sit down and shut up and pretend that it doesn't exist - what does that accomplish? I live with race issues every day as a person and as part of a community and I rather see it address than pretending it doesn't.

So whenever you want to speak about it, please do.