I think the problem is change. The minute we are asked to consider how we treat others, and they’re showing signs of taking a real place in decision making, generally people freak out because they might end up having to change their position in society.
I’ve been accused in the past of being a champagne socialist, because I have a well paid job, and yet am, in fact, a socialist. Thing is, if I had to do with less, because I was paying more taxes to take others off the poverty line, I would not be horrified, or feel hard done by. Because it’s relative. I might have to re-learn to live on $1000 less a year or something, but compared to what I do have that’s manageable.
For those who are white, and are asked to reframe their thinking, actions, etc etc, it may feel as if they are having to take a step down (literally) from their position of advantage, and lose power, which makes them panic, and feel scared.
It’s ridiculous, but I think it’s true. It’s about “then where will I be?” What are the long term repercussions on their own lives?
I think human nature is to group with those you identify with, that makes sense, and keep a clique. But the white invaders ruined that. They didn’t explore, they didn’t find out about other races and groups. They raped. They murdered. They oppressed, and forced into slavery. For hundreds of years.
This has forever changed the way that the dynamic works. Everyone wants their group to be the most successful. Everyone thinks their group is “the best”. But this has been obliterated, and now we’re dealing with hundreds of years of of propaganda.
I am white, and female. I have grown up being dismissed, side-lined, passed-over, impacted by poverty, disability, and sexism. But equally, I have succeeded because of my class, my colour, my looks, access to education, and maybe a bit because I’m clever.
It’s been exhausting, and it probably represents 1% of what it would be like as a black, working-class, “plain”, disabled, clever woman.
The disadvantage of being born into poverty is huge. But you can get past it, and is something the person themselves can probably do something about, given some access points.
The disadvantage of being born black is almost entirely in the hands of others. It was created by others, and the way people treat you every day is their action, not yours.
I have probably made a mistake in there because I’m not black, so it’s difficult to speak, but that’s what it looks like to me. This is not to say that all black women are victims, but that they have to achieve 50% more just to start moving forward. Just to be allowed into the conversation.