As white folks, when we learn about racism, we often focus on what I call “personal racism”, where we explore questions like:
- How do stereotypes influence my own words, thoughts, and actions?
- What messages did I learn from childhood, though my family of origin, community, or schooling?
- What are my biases?
- What are some strategies that I can use to treat people of color with fairness and respect?
- What is white privilege, and how can I use my privilege in order to benefit people of color?
- What are microaggressions and how do I become more aware of them?
Granted, these are just a few of the questions and challenges that we face as white folks who grow up and spend our lives in a society that continues to echo the legacy of slavery and to perpetuate the idea of whiteness. Throughout our lives, we continue to repent and to wrestle with all this.
However, there is another massive dimension of racism which demands just as much attention – “institutional racism.” Here, we refer to the ways that our laws, institutions, and social services somehow favor white folks over people of color. This is a controversial topic, because as white folks, we carry a deep-seated belief that folks are treated fairly regardless of color or ethnicity. However, the daily experiences of our black and brown neighbors demonstrate that this is not true.
A good example is the issue of voter IDs. On the surface, it seems reasonable to require that folks produce an certified photo ID in order to vote, especially when I can get a photo ID without much inconvenience. But, is this really everyone’s experience?
gracewerks 