The Question and “Systemic Racism”

The “Question” (“under the same historic circumstances would white people have suffered as much and taken as long to heal?”) rapidly weeds out racists and those who aren’t sure whether they are or not. Anyone I’m willing to trust as an ally has no problem answering “yes.”

Another level would be people who don’t believe in systemic racism (racism is the belief that worth or capacity is related to race or ethnicity. Systemic racism then, is this belief reinforced by laws, customs, and social realities). This isn’t as certain, however. They do have just one exit door IMO — they can say WHEN they believed systemic racism ended. They might say, for instance, “in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act.” When asked why statistics continue to show a gap, they might answer: “Because of the stupendous multi-generational damage done prior to that time will take generations to heal.”

They might interpret that as social or psychological damage, and I have no problem with that. From that perspective, they might even say “the playing field is level, but there was so much damage that it can be difficult to see it. There is still negative association with even dreaming too large. Again, multi-generational damage.”

Now I have to say that I have had that conversation with people. It may be true. But that requires actually admitting to the level of damage, which is contrary to a racist narrative. If they say that, they are in effect saying: “ — and white people would have been just as damaged.”