In January, I posted a quick piece about the challenges Captivate 2019 output has with the JAWS 16 screen reader - more precisely, how the experience falls apart in Internet Explorer. When we come face-to-face with our imperfections, we have a choice: we can deny and deflect, or we can engage and improve. That’s the only way we get better at anything. The next time you feel the urge to say, “I’m not racist,” replace it with, “I don’t want to be racist.” Instead of digging into denial, learn to do better. I should rethink what I’m saying/doing in light of that fact.” That shifts my thinking, so instead of jumping straight into denial and attempts to defend my character, I’m more likely to look at how my actions may be misrepresenting my intentions, whether I’ve overlooked something or acted in ignorance. When it comes to racism, sexism, homophobia, etc., I’ve found it’s healthier to think, “I don’t want to be” instead of “I’m not.”įor example, if someone says, “That thing you just said/did is racist,” instead of thinking, “I’m not racist! I don’t hate black people!” it’s much healthier to think, “I don’t want to be racist. Can you explain?” He did, and now I try to avoid using that word anymore. I immediately had to fight down the urge to say, “But I’m not a racist,” and replaced it with, “I didn’t know that. A friend of mine told me I had said something racist. When we shift focus, then we can focus on changing behavior.Ī couple of years ago, I said that I felt “gypped” about something. The problem is whether I said or did something racially offensive. The question is not whether I am a racist. Instead, we should stop focusing on identity - in this case, the word racist - and focus on behavior instead. It would be like my wife confessing to me that I said or did something hurtful, and I responded with, “I’m not abusive.” I cannot do better if I am unwilling to acknowledge my behavior. Once we put all of those together, it’s easy to say, “I’m not a racist.” Unfortunately, that statement also closes off any opportunity for growth or improvement. From this perspective, systematic racism cannot exist. Either I hate all people of color entirely, or I’m not a racist at all. When we define racism this way, we can only be guilty of it if we intend harm. ![]() I can only do something racist if I intend to. Robin DiAngelo, in her video Deconstructing White Privilege, makes the case that we define racism in specific ways that make it almost impossible to take personal accountability for our racist thoughts and actions. Therefore, you must have misinterpreted that terrible thing I said or did. Instead, it put the burden back on the injured party. It says that I don’t need to change anything about myself. This statement - “I’m not a racist” - completely absolves us of personal accountability. We deny it’s who we are, but it’s also the completely wrong thing to say. Someone says or does something blatantly racist someone calls them out and they defend themselves by saying, “I’m not a racist.” Being told we did something racist hurts, so we become defensive. You’ve heard it time after time - from celebrities, business owners, and many public figures.
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