No Explanation Required

In response to the "Fanon's Racism" post/comments and a tangent of my own:

I as well do not believe "that every action within a racist society is further perpetuating racism." High five, Kara. However, I do firmly believe that everyone is a racist and that anyone that denies that is either naive or incredibly sheltered (or has transcended humanity, in which case I give you props). I will freely admit that I am a racist, even sans asterisk, because quite frankly (as I believe racism is at least partially a product of fear) that makes me human.

Fear, both rational and irrational, is a human thing. I see a black man in an alley; my hand instinctively goes to whatever bladed or blunt instrument I have on me. I see a white man in a suit with a wry smile; I'm already protecting my wallet and putting my earphones on in case he tries to sweet talk me out of my money. I see another Asian dressed similar to me; clearly I have found the newest member of my break dance crew.

But I know the feeling of being that which is feared. Certainly you have your own stereotypes against any minority class I belong to. Maybe I'm threatening because clearly every Asian does Kung Fu and works for some mafia. Maybe you're a feminist and because I was born with certain body parts that give me more convenient access to larger amounts of testosterone you assume I'm a macho misogynist. Maybe my sexual orientation makes you think I'm weak or that I have to be a flamboyant tease. They way I dress has gotten me in trouble before too -- seriously, Campus Safety, do I look like a homeless gun-wielding thug to you? And the worst thing, as some of you may know, is that if you do just one stereotypical thing of whatever it is you are, you ARE the stereotype. And that happens even if you aren't whatever it is you are perceived to be.

Any one of those is just as major of a sticking point as race; at least it is to me. I for one do not think eliminating race or racism is necessary or even possible. Our society thrives on the disparities between races, classes, genders, etc. IT SUCKS, and that I should be able to say without any argument. But on an individual level I would like to think it builds character. We as individuals get to choose how to present ourselves and how to react to the disparities.

Now I am definitely not endorsing the "frothing-at-the-mouth" sort of crap that we've all seen, heard, and talked about in class. There are many unnecessary and cruel situations created on account of some sort of bias that should be acknowledged and prevent from ever happening again. What I do endorse is --if anything like race, sexual orientation, physical characteristics, etc. has ever been a source of disparity or degradation for you -- that you find your own way to be accepted.

Maybe you want to go all "pride" like Du Bois or play the system like Washington. It is your responsibility to make it happen. So don't bitch about your acceptance problems and insecurities (unless it somehow happens to be productive). Learn to live with the fear that you have of others and the fear that they have of you. Then do what you need to if you really feel "acceptance" is all that important in whatever microcosm (or macrocosm) you fit into.

Sorry for the rant.

Regards,
Octo-Hobo