Does Passive Behavior make me a racist?
I recently read a Facebook post by my niece who also happens to be an ordained minister. While I could not disagree with the sole premise, I realized that she was practicing a safe behavior. She was being passive.
And it made me angry and then I thought about a recent discussion with my brother where we both agreed that we both disapproved of violence in any form. By playing it safe and not confronting the issue I was being passive for the sake of my relationship with my brother. So before I express my anger at my niece, I need to direct some to my self.
By being passive, with my brother, I avoided discussing the real issues at hand at this time. Is there systemic racism in the United States? Recent events make my answer a definite, YES. To deny that answer to turn away from the truth, to redirect the discussion is to be a passive racist. I am not willing to accept any other conclusion. I will not accept this behavior in myself.
We must decide to answer the question.
The question regardless of all the noise surrounding the arguments is. Is there systemic racism in the United States? When Colin Kaepernick started to take a knee to protest racial justice, he risked his professional future.
But it set the stage for at least a discussion. At the time, those uncomfortable with the discussion were able to redirect the discussion toward patriotism and love of country. They were able to not answer the difficult questions. To kick the answers down the road to today.
With each instance of violence against minorities, the answer becomes more clear. There is systemic racism in the United States and we can not be proud of that fact. We must face the facts and discuss solutions. To not search for solutions kicks the problem down the road for our children and grandchildren. It is just not fair.
Defund the police.
When taken to the extreme provides racists with an easy target. We must have a police force of some kind to protect society from bad apples. That said we have all to often had our police force performing duties which should not be necessary.
Issues of mental health, poverty, physical health are all issues which often require police intervention. What a better world we would have if these issues were treated and not left to feaster in the minds and bodies of those of us who our unfortunate. Why can’t we redirect some funds from policing so that we can reduce the need of our brothers and sisters.
What can not be done
Is to lose focus on the root problems. We can not allow for the conversation to be redirected because it is difficult. We must understand that to accept redirection of the discussion is passive and as such racist behavior.
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