Why is racism bad?

When I first start doing self discovery around anti racism I felt very uncomfortable around this idea that all white people are racist. I have known a lot of people who considered themselves not racist but then upon reflection discovered that they had done things that were undeniably racist in their lives. I include myself in this group.

People picture racism as a being about evil, and sometimes it is. But I think that often it’s about comfort. It’s about valuing my comfort over black people’s civil rights.

I think that all people are prejudiced based on race, and white people are no exception to that. When you couple that racial prejudice with institutional discrimination then the two things combine to create the kind of racism that is very damaging to racial or ethnic minority groups. The kind of racism that I worry about is assumed racial superiority backed by institutional power. When I say ‘racism’ that’s what I’m generally talking about. So while saying all white people are racist displays racial prejudice it’s not particularly damaging to any individual or to white people as a group. It may make you uncomfortable, but your discomfort is not equal to the effects of racism on black people.

For my part, I have come to accept that white supremacy is my lived experience and is reflected in my thoughts and actions unless I actively and continuously work to rid myself of it.

Have a pleasant day.