I really liked how she went right at all the defensive excuses
that white people tend to give when they are asked to examine their racist
attitudes. But I have black friends! But I love
black culture! I don’t hate anyone. She said you can subconsciously hold
ideologies of white supremacy even if you have Black friends. You can know in
your heart that you don’t hate anyone but still contribute to their oppression.
You can love Black culture, music, and slang while benefitting from systems
that are designed to elevate you above Black people in social status. The fact
that about 83% of teachers are white does make it our responsibility to dig
deep in this conversation. It DOES apply to us. The part that I found the most helpful
was the bit about racial descriptors. Language does change and evolve, and it
helps to know what is currently considered more or less offensive. I grew up with
my mom calling anything Asian “Oriental” and I quickly figured out in college
that it wasn’t considered appropriate. This podcast taught me to try and use
descriptors of race that are empowering. Say “Black people” instead of “blacks”. The ethnic
description with -American is intended for immigrants or first-generation
Americans. If they haven’t had ties with Africa for centuries, they probably prefer
“black people”. If you don’t know which term to use, default to “people of
color”.
