#IfTheyGunnedMeDown - Comments

@ eartha kitt
I'm very sorry your ex-friend said that to you, and I'm glad you didn't let her comments keep you down. Again, thank you for making me aware that what I had said may come off wrong (and never once did you make me feel attacked).

@ electrovoid
Those are also very strong, interesting quotes. I don't live in the south, but I do live in a town in the north where we made national headlines because of our mayor's (now a state representative or senator if you can believe it) racist policies. I can definitely see how racism affects and vice versa. Here, if a poc wins anything remotely political, people automatically assume it was because s/he is black/latina(o)/asian/etc and refuse to believe the poc could have any redeeming qualities whatsoever. You won't believe how many people here are backwards. It's really not just the south. It's everywhere, but I do believe it is worse the farther south you go. (Interesting note: people here fly the Confederate flag all the time, even though we are nowhere NEAR the Mason-Dixon line, and we're technically part of the Union.) But yes, sunshine. Racism is EVERYWHERE. In our schools, jobs, political offices, homes, everywhere, and it's up to us, as the future generation of people in power, to end it.

@ electrovoid

I'm glad. I was trying to make sure I didn't make you feel attacked or uncomfortable, and I'm glad I didn't. I'm happy I could get my point across clearly, though. Sometimes I have a problem with that.

I only point it out because I once had a friend (we're not friends anymore for a lot of reasons) who once told me she didn't believe in traditional racism and rather in reverse racism and made me feel like everything I'd ever experience/d in my life related to my race was just an issue of me being hypersensitive. I remember how badly that made me feel, and I just wanted to be aware of how you might mistakenly make others feel that way without meaning to. But I'm happy you recognize that, and I hope you don't ever unwittingly upset someone. I do agree with you on how to combat racism. Racism can only be destroyed with education and peace, not violence and anger. The latter two will only lead to more issues, but the former two may one day lead to change. Skin tone does not merit one living a life of fear, pain, and sadness, and it's unfortunate that in our society, that seems to be quite prevalent.

I'm happy I could enlighten you! My goal in life is to help people, to educate, to spread knowledge like a fire, and I'm glad my words had some small impact. I would like to raise my future children in a world where everyone is equal, but I fear it won't be, so I have to teach them how to relate to others and overcome the negative effects of some backwards, ignorant trains of thought. I'm happy I can give you a window into my world, and it helps you become a better, more informed person who can take an active stand. It doesn't matter who I speak to - if I agree with them a little or not at all - their opinion is one that deserves to be considered, even if it's one that upsets me. (Yours didn't upset me though. They just helped me see things from a different perspective.) That powerpoint is a super awesome resource that even helped me, a lot, and I'm a poc, so yeah. I'm sorely tempted to make a blog with a masterpost of links/articles/resources to help others understand racism better, but I'm not sure yet.

Funny thing: I just logged into FB, and the first thing I saw was an article a friend shared. It was about politics, but I also feel that the quotes my friend pulled could be applied here in a way about racism in general.

"When we truly believe that some people are monsters, that they fundamentally are less human than we are, and that they deserve to have less than we do, we ourselves become the monsters."

"... [W]e are reducing the beauty and magic of life to a "side" or a "type," or worst of all, an "answer." This is the power of politics at it's most sinister."

"We must be tireless in our efforts to see things from the point of view we most disagree with. We must make endless efforts to try and understand the people we least relate to. And we must at all times force ourselves to love the people we dislike the most."

" Don't feel the need to always pick a side. And if you do pick a side, pick the side of love."

The connection with these quotes may make more sense to me than to those who don't live in the South (I don't know if you do) because racism has some really strong ties to politics here, too. I'm sure it's like that all over the country, but I know it's really tied together here, in both obvious and then very hidden ways.

@ eartha kitt
Can I just say that I honestly loved your reply? And I mean that in all sincerity. You explain your opinion clearly and eloquently, and I admire that.

Also, thank you for pointing out how my comment may appear to others. I tend to have issues actually writing down everything I feel or think (aka not so clear and eloquent haha), so sometimes stuff gets lost in the translation. While I do see racism as a human issue instead of just one that affects poc, I didn't mean to imply that my experiences allow me in some way to fully understand the fear of someone who truly is immersed in a racist society. I just wanted to show that from where I stand, to combat racism with unchecked anger can lead to bitterness and more ignorance. I would never want anyone, poc or not, to feel that their experiences don't matter, or that they shouldn't be angry for what happens to them or their loved ones or even strangers, or that they don't matter because they're not this or that demographic. And skin color should never, never stop justice from being brought upon those who do wrong against another human being.

Your perspective is enlightening, and I'm glad that there are people like you that want to take and are taking a stand against a society that ignores and feeds terrible actions against our peers. Your perspective and experiences are things I cannot fully comprehend, but I know that by sharing them, you are helping me and others see, feel, and learn more, and for that I am extremely thankful. I also appreciate that you've carefully considered my perspective/opinions. :) And finally - totally checking out that PowerPoint.

@ electrovoid

Hi! Thanks for your comment. The police force is actually digusting. They're using dogs, teargas, and macing peaceful protesters, including innocent children, so I do agree that there is a serious issue. However I do have an issue with others who seek to harm the officer who killed Michael, because violence does not beget violence.

However, I just want to understand what you mean. Do you believe in reverse racism? Either way I'm not going to try changing your mind because you seem to have made up your mind based on your experiences, but I will say that it's difficult for me to believe that in a society that was literally designed to benefit those who are not of color (in every way shape and form) that any group not in the aforementioned group can somehow affect the lives of those of not color. (Racism and discrimination are very different things. Racism is institutionalized prejudice and discrimination against a group that affects their lives in society. The PowerPoint I refered to the other girl in the comments below might help. It's actually very informative.) I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience, but do not make the mistake of thinking that one experience lets you understand racism. Until you fear you literally fear for your life and are constantly teased, made fun of, stared at, made to feel uncomfortable, fetishized and reduced to nothing but stereotypes, you simply can not understand the far reaching effects of racism. I know you didn't mean to, but your comments might make other poc feel like their experience doesn't matter and like they shouldn't be angry that people that look like them are being killed and no justice is being served. I know that anger can be destructive, but when channeled correctly, it can be a force for good, for education, enlightenment, and for peace. I don't have an us vs them mentality, and I never will, but it's difficult for me to believe others don't when things like this happen. I don't believe that having this mentality really helps anything.

PEOPLE ARE DYING. INNOCENT PEOPLE. That in and of itself is an outrage, and I understand and sympathize with you on that note. Everyone has rights, but sometimes it feels like said rights are only being protected if you fit into a certain demographic. I feel like you want to be an ally in the cause of justice for all. I appreciate that immensely. I do. Even though I disagree with you in some senses, I do appreciate your opinion, because you've given me another perspective, which I'm very thankful for.

I heard about this on the news. Apparently the population of the city is, like, 2/3 black, while there are only three black police officers on a staff of 53. AKA tokens. If that doesn't point out to everyone that something is wrong in the community and with those in charge/making decisions on law enforcement, I don't know what is.

I agree that racism still exists (on all sides), and I agree that this is an issue people need to stop ignoring and start facing. But I don't particularly like this white v.s. people of color thing that I've seen going around (not necessarily in your post but just in the news articles, blogs, and face-to-face discussions I've read/participated in). Yeah, white privilege exists; there's no denying that. But, to me, we should be getting angry because this type of senseless violence is happening to PEOPLE, other human beings that have lives and emotions and thoughts, people that are just like you and me. It is an issue about skin color, but I feel that if we keep fighting it while still using a us v.s. them mentality, it's not going to help ANYONE. We should fight for the rights of everyone, no matter skin color.

You may not agree with me here, and that's fine. I live in Mississippi, so my experience may/is probably different from yours. Here, racism breeds more racism, on all sides. I've had a black woman spit on me before for no reason other than I am white. I don't feel safe in certain parts of my city because I would be jumped due to my skin color and gender. But why? Because racism that is decades and decades and decades old has built up bitterness and hurt and, yes, a us v.s. them mentality that - guess what - just creates more racism. It's not just white v.s. minorities, even though I understand why it certainly feels like that a lot (because it is the most prevalent form). I guess what I just ask is that those who are outraged to be careful not to be swept away in a tide of emotion that creates worse circumstances and feelings between people. Yeah, we have to fight racism in our country, but we have to do it together and see ourselves as a team, so that every single person can feel safer and be treated, appreciated, and respected as the unique, beautiful person he/she is.

@ AmorarEsDeVivir
I'm hoping you don't ever give up searching for knowledge and wisdom and answers. That's a very good quality to have and I hope it fuels your desire to seek the truth. I can see how that's frustrating though, feeling like you're grasping at straws during conversations with people who refuse to understand. A lot of people miss the point because it doesn't affect them negatively, because they've been conditioned to ignore the systematic oppression of people that they view as lesser because of the way they've been painted by the media and social justice outlets. It doesn't justify their actions by any means, but it does explain it.

CHANNEL YOUR SADNESS. CHANNEL YOUR FURY. A lot of people perpetuate racist behaviors and tendencies without really thinking about it, because, as I mentioned, this society has conditioned us to view anyone who isn't white and ugly, rude, less, stupid, and it's easier to be mean to someone you view that way than to someone you view as an equal. And then there are some poc who justify the behaviors of white people in their environment because they don't know any better or are truly convinced that their friend did no wrong (and by extension that the person is right, even though they are so wrong), so some white people think they are really not at fault at all and feel like it isn't their issue. Racism is EVERYBODY'S issue.

You need to really do your best to not belittle other poc (because some people who consider themselves allies, with very noble intentions, end up being very condescending and rude and may without realizing it reinforce really negative ideals) and educate yourself on what YOU can do. You can't change people. You can only change yourself. With your example, you may be able to mold other people's way of thinking. Use it for good.

I'm really trying hard to educate myself and others around me, but I know I have a long way to go in educating myself. And part of my anger comes from the fact that when I try to have this discussion with other white people the response is often, like I said, something to the effect of "I'm not the one doing something wrong, I'm not racist, why do you expect ME to feel guilty about this?" which...feels like it's kind of missing the point.

Which...I guess means that a lot of my anger comes from helplessness. It makes me so sad and angry that this happens, and KEEPS happening, and I don't know what to do and it's not fair, and so many people want to convince themselves that THEY'RE not racist, it's just a handful of people causing problems and there's nothing the rest of us should have to do, and that's just...infuriating to me. I feel like I have a responsibility here to try to fix things, but I don't know what to do.

This all just makes me incredibly sad. The more I try to educate myself, the more I realize how big this mess really is, and the injustice of it just really gets to me.

I don't feel like I'm letting anger take over my logic; I just feel like my logic has no sense of direction right now. =/

@ AmorarEsDeVivir
Hi, sunshine. I'm going to ask you to do something. BREATHE DEEPLY. I too am very angry, but we cannot let our anger take over our logic. I feel you greatly on the sentiment of fear, because we are both women, regardless of our race or ethnic background, and therefore share similar experiences. (I am not saying we are same, but rather that we share one unique trait, femininity, in a society that wishes to repress and abuse of it.)

However, I'm not surprised at your expression about the lack of fear in the face of wrong doing. I've seen and experienced it first hand in my own life and have had people who are white say something along similar lines. I remember once, not too long ago actually, being followed around a Victoria's Secret for about an hour or so while my friend (white) was shopping. I didn't touch anything and I wasn't buying anything because I'm really not interested in paying $35 for a bra, but this woman, a store clerk, simply followed me (not my friend, but me) and asked me three or four times if I was looking for anything. I didn't even have a purse or a backpack, so I'm not sure how I could have hidden anything anyway... but the fact remains that white privilege is alive and well, and as such, hurts, deeply. I tried explaining it to my friend in the car, but she said that I was just overreacting.

Please know I am not trying to guilt you when I say this, but I am, instead, informing you of the effects of privilege. However, I do thank you, because you are at least, trying to recognize it and are aware of it's existence, instead of pretending or believing, as do most people who are not of color, that white privilege isn't real. Thank you. (It actually means quite a lot.)

Michael was just walking across the street. He hadn't committed any crime, other than being black around a police force already negatively predisposed to people of color.

However, I ask you to be angry, yes, but to channel that energy into educating yourself, those around you, and those in power about the negative effects of racism. This is a powerpoint on tumblr that might really help you educate yourself and others. (I'm not calling you a racist, at all, I'm just saying that this powerpoint is a really awesome way to break it all down and really explain privilege and racism and the like.) Here is another article about guilt and how to help.

White people have a long, bloody history of violence against minorities and I'm really happy you are not excusing or belittling senseless acts of violence, and are also aware of the media's involvement in perpetuating the stereotypes that paint every minority in a negative, evil, and despicable light. I'm begging you to really, really continue to educate yourself and become a force for good in this world.

For those who say they aren't supposed to feel guilty, it should at the very least, upset you that innocent children are being murdered for no real reason. This entire culture we live in is Eurocentric, and designed to pretty much belittle and degrade anyone who does not possess European features, and since so many have been blinded by such a society, it is difficult for them to see the negative effects of it, since these effects do not apply to them. It's purely ignorant, but I'm glad that you at least, have started to lift the veil of ignorance and do not believe that ignorance is truly bliss.

BE ANGRY. BE FURIOUS. CHANNEL YOUR FURY AND ANGER INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE, LIKE EDUCATION AND EQUALITY.

This makes me so angry. I've thought about this so much the last few days, ever since I heard about it.

As a woman, sometimes I'm afraid to walk around my neighborhood at night because I'm scared of strange men and what they're capable of doing to a woman who's alone.

But as a white person, I have never, EVER had to be afraid of so much as being suspected of wrongdoing when I wasn't doing anything wrong. And if I ever WAS suspected of wrongdoing, I would never have to fear more than questioning or arrest. If I was suspected of a crime I had no knowledge of--which I can feel fairly confident wouldn't happen in the first place--I would have no reason to fear that I would be fucking shot to death by police.

I'm angry at my own culture. Because white people kill people of color. Those who don't kill justify the killing. Those who don't justify the killing ignore the killing. And those who don't justify or ignore the killing of people of color support a media system that justifies and ignores the killing of people of color.

And no one fucking sees anything wrong with it, because we have the privilege of not thinking about the problem. And I know so many people who deny that privilege. Who have been saying, "I'm not personally responsible for these deaths, so why am I supposed to feel guilty?" And it's starting to infuriate me. I think through this story--this whole story, because what happened to this 17-year-old boy is just a chapter--I"m finally understanding white privilege better than I ever have, and it's making me sick.

I saw the #IfTheyGunnedMeDown thing on Tumblr and realized how ingrained this system is, where anyone who isn't white is depicted in a certain way that makes it easier to ignore or justify their murder. And no one* questions it. That's the part that makes me angriest. No one fucking questions it.

*And by no one, I pretty much mean the vast majority of white people.

(Sorry to write you a novel here. Every comment I make about this is me trying to sort through my feelings and still trying to figure out my place in this mess.)

@ essence.
THANKS BABY

PREACH IT