White Out
I recently came across this blog discussing racism and privilege in America, in particular, how both played a part in the Trayvon Martin murder and subsequent trial of George Zimmerman. The writer, pictured above, is from the same neighborhood as Martin, has this to say about her blog and about the case:
Gone Agape is a blog that is centered around understanding the world with love as a compass. to go agape is to BE love. agape (uh-gop-ay) is the most divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional and thoughtful love. To go apape is also to be open, and to find freedom in being honest about who you are. We may not always like what we find, but we must love it. And sometimes that means repairing the most broken parts of us. Every post is a chance to challenge everything we have been taught, and unlearn when necessary. You don't always have to agree, but you do have to be open to the process. Agape Always.
[Excerpts via the Gone Agape blog] "But as much as this entire fiasco is about racism— it’s also about privilege. Privilege white people refuse to acknowledge and Black people can’t seem to communicate enough. No doubt that the privilege with roots in racism played a role in the trial… but, it’s not enough to say, things would be different if the races were reversed. People never want to deal in the what ifs… and no one seems to want to touch racism with a 10 foot pole. Though the acts are no doubt racist at the root, I rather be effective than right- so I need to acknowledge these things in a way people can digest.White privilege is being able to live your life as a white man for all intents and purposes and become Hispanic when denying you are racist. That same privilege allows you to not know the difference between race and ethnicity. Privilege involves always getting the benefit of the doubt… because you are trusted.Whenever there is an instance of one account versus another, the account of a White person is always more true. It’s the reason that I pull out my whitest voice possible when making any customer service transaction over the phone. When you’re white, you are you— when you’re Black you’re all of us, and all of us, are bad Black thugs."Read more of this story on Gone Agape here.Check out the Tim Wise video to view the debate on White Privilege here.[ad]
