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Cultural diversity is prevalent in wherever state you find yourself in. However, while difference and uniqueness have become strengths the world takes pride in, some still find trouble wrapping their heads around related concepts.
It’s 2024, and society has consequentially progressed towards a direction away from racism. However, discussions about it can still be challenging. Some still find it uncomfortable to talk about racism. As if it’s prying their eyes open to direct sunlight, they’d rather stay in the dark and face the problem head-on. Whether it’s because they’re indifferent about it or afraid to get into heated debates, some people avoid diving deep into the topic.
The World’s Biggest Enemy, What Is Racism?
It’s been ages since the world has concretely defined what encompasses racism. Yet, others continue to turn a blind eye to the injustices and prejudice felt by the oppressed.
Privilege.
This is the easy contradictory position of those victims of racism. Privilege makes it easy for them to be blind to the sufferings and claims of this portion of the population. They have the luxury to overlook this severe and genuine bias simply because they aren’t affected by its consequences. It’s maddening how many understand what racism is but choose not to act.
Regardless of how many systems, warnings, and messages are conveyed, there are still a few others who choose not to talk about racism and consciously overlook this matter.
A fraction of this population is indifferent. This includes those who don’t care about affairs outside of their influence and entitled upbringing. However, a few others are naïve, unaware of the severity of the issue and what they can contribute to society’s improvement.
How does one talk about racism to this crowd?
Talk About Racism How You Talk About Other Matters
There’s no questioning how tough it is to try and talk about racism. Above it being a sensitive topic, it’s a discussion that would most definitely charge people emotionally. However, like every other matter, people must get talking, especially to those who are unaware.
There are already countless materials that talk about racism through many means and methods.
From movies to books, the world has a complete grasp of the importance of knowledge and information against it. It may be easier to not bat an eye, but flipping a book open and learning all about racism and its implications have the favorable benefits.
Marvin V. Blake is an author who has long advocated against racism. He has dug deeper into the matter and unraveled its historical context in his book. While dominantly fictional, Why is a tale of love and cultural struggle, where the complexities of the nation’s perception about race, privilege, and freedom are laid bare. Readers are exposed to life in 1838 and 1863, when living conditions were significantly different, especially for people of color.
Similar to how Marvin Blake scrutinized and explained the concept to his readers, people shouldn’t shy away from discussing racism with others. Although it’s one of the most sensitive issues society is facing, there’s no need for grand publicities to inform people. Instead, they simply have to talk about racism genuinely and passionately, just as they talk about other issues.
They’ll Get Defensive
It’s a severe problem with grave implications. Hence, when people approach others to talk about racism, the atmosphere can get defensive to prevent any emotion. This is a natural human mechanism that deflects any possibility of feeling.
In discussions about racism, people can subconsciously try to change the subject and avoid expounding on answers to cut the conversation short. They may point fingers to protect themselves. They may also shut down due to discomfort.
When it comes to the discomfort people feel, defensiveness is a natural reaction. As the person attempting to talk about racism, it never pays to shut these defenses down and reprimand them equally. Instead, they should work on teaching others where their perspectives are wrong and when defenses are up. This is how a peaceful discussion begins.
Approach Them with Curiosity
In cases where people become defensive about topics and deflect discussions, it’s crucial that speakers refrain from attacking back. When someone becomes defensive, almost naturally, the other becomes defensive, too. Emotions tend to rise, and the conversation derails more.
A good talk about racism should be handled with curiosity. Defensiveness and aggression should be kept low. Instead of attacking back when people protect themselves, people should maintain a curious stance.
“Why do you think so?”
“What do you mean by that?”
To make a discussion more meaningful, people should always be prompted to expound on their answers rather than cut them short by attacking them back. This approach makes people think they aren’t in the wrong. Curiosity allows them to open up more about their opinions, making them more susceptible to learning and corrections. When the talk about racism is cultivated within the wrong grounds, nothing valuable comes out of it.
If you want to know how Marvin Blake discusses racism in his epic book, grab a copy of Why now!