Largely Only African American Show Up For Community Discussions On Race

Last updated on: July 21, 2013 at 11:57 am by Peter Dybing

Largely Only African American Show Up For Community Discussions On Race 2013-07-21T11:57:00-06:00 Peter Dybing

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There is an inner rage that is boiling just below the surface of the calm exterior I present. This rage was stoked by my participation in a protest yesterday concerning the death of Trayvon Martin.

Surrounded by African Americans I let my voice be heard, stood for justice and called for the nation to truly manifest our Presidents’ call for community discussions about race. There in lies the rub, how in the world do we conduct such discussions when progressives, much less other white people do not even care enough to show up at the table of discourse.

Speaker after speaker expressed the shock, dismay and anger felt by the black community in response to the recent miss carriage of justice here in Florida. Energy was raised and people were ready to take action within the framework of established civil rights organizations.

The problem is that these organizations are ill equipped to lead these discussions because they are unable to draw average white Americans to the discussion. Frankly I’m pissed. Where are all the people with whom I have discussions around justice online? Photos of other rallies show black faces around the country coming out in support.

Ok, so called white progressives, where the hell are you?

If you admired the authenticity, honesty and self-disclosure in the Presidents recent address, why the hell are you not clamoring to participate in the community discussions he called for? These discussions cannot manifest if the only people attending are members of the NAACP and other similar organizations.

Meaningful and fruitful discussions are dependent upon participation of a cross section of Americans, it is time to stand and do the hard work of manifesting true justice in our nation. Yet the very people who so identify them selves as “open minded and evolved” are absent from the table of discourse.

Enter privilege as an explanation. Central to privilege is maintaining the status quo, our comfortable place in society, the idea that if we are just “face book” supporters others will do the hard work. After all it is not “we” who are the problem. It is those other people who are the “real racists” whom we must concern our selves with.

I call BS, doing nothing, believing that we are not supporting racism in our inaction, is aversive racism. Non-participation equals support of the racism that exists in our culture.

Today I call on you my brothers and sisters in the progressive movement. Remove yourself from your place of comfort, attend a protest or even better contact others in your community and host a discussion on race in your community that features a diverse cross section of your community. Take the Presidents call as a real call to action, one in which you must play a part if you wish to hold onto the values you profess.

Rant complete – Now Lets Do Something!

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