Racism and Self-Awareness

About a month ago in Shelbyville, Tennessee, white nationalists and neo-Nazis gathered to stage what became known as a “White Lives Matter” rally. While unified under one title, the marchers were far from unified in their goals or beliefs. Some, who donned the regalia of the Nazi SS and drew Hitler mustaches on their faces, believed in a vast and powerful Jewish conspiracy that was manipulating and undermining American life. Others, who hurled homophobic slurs at counter-protesters, wanted to reclaim a nation that they perceived as stolen by LGBT folks and their liberal sympathizers. Still more sought to express their disdain for the “browning” of America and goal of returning the nation to a place of codified racial hierarchy.

Despite the diversity of their equally disgusting ideologies, a common current ran through the demonstration as a whole; a fear and hatred of the Other. A particularly telling exchange comes between NPR correspondent and host, David Greene, and his interviewee who was participating in the rally, Jessica Adkins. Green opens by asking Adkins what her beliefs, goals, and motives are. After expressing contempt for what she referred to as the “LGBT stuff”, Adkins described her fear of multiculturalism. “As far as multiculturalism -you know, every commercial you see on TV, it shows that multiculturalism. Why? Why is that? What - are they trying to paint a picture (laughter)”? Greene pushed her further and asked her what the distinction between a dislike of multiculturalism and racism is. “It’s totally different...I mean, you don't have to - I mean, like I said, the League of the South is not out to destroy another race. They are out to preserve our race. What's wrong with that? I'm not embarrassed to be white. I'm proud of what my ancestors made me and I'm proud of what my ancestors did because they fought for my state, my homeland. You know, they created me (laughter). I mean, there's nothing wrong with that. There's no problem whatsoever with being proud to be white”.

There is something profoundly disturbing about this exchange. It is disconcerting to see someone with these kinds of beliefs lack the self-awareness to at least acknowledge that they hold prejudicial views. But to do so while walking lockstep with actual Nazis betrays a certain disregard for the truth or, at the very least, a cognitive dissonance. This presents a unique challenge to anyone who considers themselves an ally in the struggle for minority rights, especially the rights of African Americans. Part of combating white supremacy is calling out overtly racist acts and sentiments when they arise. But when the person perpetrating said act does not even acknowledge their prejudice, educating about the evils of racism becomes that much more difficult. Given the increased visibility of white supremacist groups throughout the past year, I believe that this will be one of the marquee challenges concerning race in America that our generation must overcome.

WC: 491

Pledged: Nick DeMaris

Sources Cited:

Greene, David. “In Shelbyville, Tennessee, ‘Proud to Be White’ and ‘Hate is not the Solution”. NPR, October 30, 2017. https://www.npr.org/2017/10/30/560767446/in-shelbyville-tenn-proud-to-be-white-and-hate-is-not-the-solution