We’re Talking Race: You Need to Learn a Thing or Two

You want to know what radicalized me? Growing up as a black girl in a predominantly white suburb. It was the transition into my hormonal teens and being rejected by peers who looked like me. What radicalized me was realizing everything is influenced by race, which includes politics.

I’m not about to sit here and rant or rave about the injustices I faced being one of 10 black kids within my graduating class. You’ve heard it before and I honestly, dont see a need to share my trauma. I will share the newfound appreciation of anthropology (strictly a hobby) and race-activism/awareness. It’s become a fun little passion of mine and I dont see why I can’t share what I’ve learned and witnessed.

I want to preface this by saying this is for selfish reasons. While helping the world is admirable it’s not realistic (I’m a small blog lost within a big world wide web, with niche content). Rather, I’m posting in order to help, engage and influence my personal sphere; this is what I consider “the world”, what immediately impacts me but with broader world applications.

Unfiltered Opinions

Fuck, lets get real for once.

I’m going to come right out and say it: a lot of you are unempathetic assholes. You have no emotional awareness and are going on 20+ years with an apathy addiction. You lack the necessary understanding to envision and help execute a world that’s accessible to/for everyone. It isn’t all your fault, though. An erasure of history, a lack of diverse thought/experiences and here we are: surrounded by people that still view the world from a singular white washed lens. To put it bluntly these are the people who need to learn lessons the hard way.

If you are still reading, I have hope for you yet. I’m here to help you broaden your horizons, but only through my eyes. I share my experiences and thoughts with the knowledge that I am a singular black woman; I don’t speak for anyone but myself. Take that with a grain of salt.

Critical Race Theory (CRT)

Everything is interconnected, and that’s where the notion of intersectionality comes from. Race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, class, and any other human distinctions are linked.

With critical race theory, we are shifting the above diagram to race being the main focus. This approach looks at how racism is embedded within American society and institutions (social & political). How racism affects many areas of life and mostly is systemic (meaning it’s not just the product of bias/prejudice). If you want to learn more specifically about CRT please check out EducationWeek‘s article about it!

Now I want to stress the importance of Critical race theory while recommending a few fiction books. In order to combat history being cyclical, it’s important to educate yourself on ways to help dismantle systems of oppression, not just to benefit others, but you as well; Helping marginalized groups ensures a more inclusive community and better living conditions for all. It’s a win-win.

What I’m really saying is: don’t be a dick, learn how to see the world from different perspectives. You aren’t the center of attention all the time; learn how to be a CONTENT side character.

Book Recommendations

Past Reflections

I loved the storytelling of Wild Woman and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce. This historical fiction was told from two different periods within Chicago: 1925 from the perspective of Honoree Delcore and 2015 from Sawyer. Not only was Denny S. Bryce ambitious with showing the bittersweet side of the 1920’s, but with how beautifully written African American culture still managed to flourish during Jim Crow era America. There was no lack of setbacks, jarring language, and deep-seated racism that is rather uncomfortable at times.

This novel explores colorism and the impacts it had within the African American community, Jim Crow affecting black prosperity/livelihood, and perspective. It did a fantastic job of showing the intersectionality of race, feminity, education, and class. Accurate period history is the cherry on top. An eye-opening read to none POC about some of the struggles faced then (and still facing now).

When Stars Rain Down is another historical fiction set in the 1936 post-reconstruction era town of Parson, Georgia. This novel is an emotionally charged read that explores the effects Jim Crow, the KKK and resentment have on the “tight-knit community”. Jackson-Brown did an amazing job showing how racism also affected the coming of age of our Heroine, Opal Pruitt.

What I took away from this read was mostly how history repeats itself. The rise of hate groups (like the KKK, Nazi’s etc) and the instability it causes within community is still present. Reading historical fiction wasn’t always my favorite thing but I’d rather know the signs to look for when history decided to repeat itself.

Overall:

Both of these novels display CRT by helping readers understand the past and how it still shapes the present. Being able to read white racism can give a more realistic understanding; it’s time to start evaluating what you consider “normal”.

Present + Future Implications

This contemporary fiction novel explores how police violence against POC (specifically the black diaspora) affects the community.

The close bond between sisterly best friends is severely stressed when Jen’s cop husband is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager (remind you of anyone specific?). Pride and Piazza do a fantastic job showcasing the free fall of emotions felt from both sides; Jen’s uncertainty and Riley’s understanding of the implications have both women questioning their connection.

We Are Not Like Them explores how empathy isn’t something that’s inherent. Sometimes it takes an extreme event to allow people to look outside of themselves. This novel also explores the relationship between police and Black communities (considering there beginning as slave retrievers it all makes sense).

All in all, understanding critical race theory and being able to apply it to the literature you are reading is going to show that when certain actions are allowed, they perpetuate the systems of hate that are negatively affecting millions of people.