I like the actuality of this site, yet I feel that once one acknowledges this truth (about being infected with white supremacy), progress is inhibited by mutating nature of the infectious agent. Awareness is the key to sense the presence os the bug, and one can move on.
Is there anyone out there ready to dialog?
Comments
Andrewmark,
You're right progress is inhibited by the mutations of white supremacy. Mutations though implies endless varations. For me it feels more simple, and therefore in some ways more easily remedied: there's denial, then waking up. then denial, then waking. Every mutation is same old same old - denial. And denials less virulent cousin, avoidance.
Like a closing and an opening of the heart. I think if i really uproot the last weeds of guilt, denial will have less force and will eventually die away, and I'll stay awake/open.
As with so much inner growth, awareness is, as you say, The Key. The witness stance: oh, there's that feeling again, hello, i don't believe you're real-true, byebye.
"And one can move on" you say. What did you mean - to where, to what?
Hello Andrew,
Thanks for your post. I agree that progress is inhibited by the "mutating nature of the infectious agent." I like to think of the infectious agent as a set of oppressor patterns that are installed very early in our lives. We did not have any means to avoid the infection, and we all carry it. The "mutating nature" of the agent can be seen as the passing on of these patterns of white superiority from our ancestors -- a form of contagion.
The contagion reaches us from our parents, the rest of our family, and other sources. And beyond that inherited contagion, white people are hurt by the racism we encounter in our lives as young people (and later too). Though we are not targeted, we are hurt. We take it all in, and it sits there. Our witness is an insidious form of training, and in due course we unawarely become agents of racism.
I agree that "awareness is key to sense the presence of this bug" but when you say "move on" I hope you mean move on to do whatever is necessary to interrupt the cycle, to do everything in our power to not carry that contagion to our own children and other young people.
The hopeful part is that it is possible, with lots of personal work and lots of support, to rid ourselves of these patterns. As white people, we're accountable to put an end to white supremacy. It's difficult to be effective at either piece without working both.
Minton
Madison, Wisconsin
P.S.: I'm not intending to start a new thread; it is not clear to me how I can reply to yours.