Weaponizing Language
I take the word “racism” to mean “differential attribution of capacity or worth on the basis of race or ethnicity.” The term “institutional” or “structural” racism is simply a modification or extension of this to discuss and reflect entire social structures, where the real damage happens. But no, I don’t conflate the terms, and have been criticized for that. To me, the problem starts with the individual, and that means the solutions can be found there as well. It is in the mirror, with the way we judge and tribalize, and EVERY one of us has the responsibility to be the change we want to see in the world. No, that doesn’t mean giving a bigot the chance to hurt you, or ignoring current events or history. It means extending your own humanity to others, and taking responsibility for your actions and emotions.
Similarly, I use the word “sexism” generally to mean the attribution of differential worth on the basis of gender. CAPACITY in certain arenas is clearly different between the average man and woman, by most definitions, worldwide, throughout history. Throw that away at your own peril. But the human WORTH is best viewed as the same (yep, there are reproductive differences in how much the species needs an individual man or woman, but let’s not argue that right now.) is the same, and so are our responsibilities to each other. So if I say we need a set of universal rules of behavior, agreed and adhered to by both men and women, without excluding either side from responsibility for clear communication, I’ll get criticized for that, too. Men pose more of a threat to women than vice versa. On the individual direct level? No question. Does that change the individual responsibility to communicate and demonstrate WITH BEHAVIOR the way we wish to be treated? Not in the slightest.
We have equal responsibility to see each others’ humanity, to communicate our needs and perceptions, to be willing to stand our ground for what we believe to be right. It is my belief that that way lies the light and warmth and connection we seek.
Or, we can play silly games, couching our bigotry in indirect and soft terms, trying to guilt-trip each other rather than asking “what is the best way to connect?” failing to ascribe universal human motivations across lines of race and gender, and playing with definitions until they exclude our group and therefore disguise what is really happening: blacks can’t be racist and power-grasping, women can’t be sexist and power-grasping.
If there is ANY group who can simply be believed without engaging logic, a sense of history, and a unified theory of humanity I’ve yet to encounter it.
I won’t bend on the subject of race, and I won’t on the subject of gender. If you don’t like that, I don’t blame you, but its really not my concern. I’m more concerned with how our grandchildren are going to live together in the new world we’re creating.