Ok. Things Ive learned from Brief Encounters with Facebook Racists and why a project like this is constructive. 1. There are many who say, I dont think race is a/the problem and bringing it up all the time is devisive. My answer to those people is that upon embarking in this journey to several conservative FB comment pages, i was ALARMED at the sheer volume of people (generally from middle America or the Bible Belt) who hold racist beliefs. They seem to love to bring up race, oftentimes when its not even mentioned in the article theyre commenting on. 2. THESE PEOPLE VOTE. This isnt something I can simply ignore, nor can we afford to ignore it anymore as progressives. Consider that a person who identifies welfare with black people is less likely to vote in favor of social programs; that someone who thinks black people descended from monkeys is less likely to vote in favor of scientific progress i.e. Climate change and science in the classroom; that someone who hates Mexicans will vote against immigration reform. Racism isnt the crux of these issues, but by tearing down the blinding barrier of bigotry, we can influence the policies of the future in positive ways. 3. Most people dont know or think theyre bring racist. This is why I sometimes respond. And often its helpful. 4. We need to stop denying the humanity of those who hold racist beliefs--that only perpetuates resentment towards us. Instead, point out how inhumane their beliefs are. Anyone can change. And thats the whole point of this. These are a few select gems, some humorous some not so much, culled from the past month. WARNING: some of this stuff is really hurtful, even violent. But its important to know what were up against. We cant run away from this. When it comes to bigotry, we must search and destroy.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 17:59:30 +0000
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