Where We're Going Wrong

I disagree, morally, ethically, and otherwise with the whole post-modernist construction that C*UUYAN through 25 Beacon Street calls anti-racism/anti-oppression.

Let's talk about anti-racism on this post specifically.

Yes, I know that as a person NOT of color I benefit more in certain circumstances than someone OF color.

I hasten to even use these terms because, as Rich Mackin points out, person of color as well as African-American are white guilt terms. In my humble opinion, it ought to be all one way or all another. I don't wish to be called a Caucasian, because it's technically not correct. A Caucasian is someone from the Caucus Mountain range in Europe--a place which likely I have not relatives or kin. I could be an English-American if I wish, as could probably half of the white population. I could be an Irish-American, as could probably more than half of the white population of the USA. I could be a Scotch/Irish-Irish-English-American, which is technically what I am--but that is quite a mouthful isn't it?

"White". "Black". Though technically incorrect, they do identify quite keenly. And in one syllable.

I tend to use black when I am referring to someone who is of African descent. And in all honesty, except for the black middle class, I see few uses of these white guilt terms amongst other Black folk. I often hear much ruder phrases instead that I will not repeat because I perceive of them, as do several in the community, as epithets rather than reclaimed terms of endearment.

Let me pose the question: why rip the scab off of the racism that each of us holds inside ourselves? We are human, thus we are racist. We are human, thus we are homophobic. I know openly LGBT people who are homophobic. But does knowing the ways in which we are subconsciously lying to ourselves help us or hurt us in the long run?

I mean, anti-racism work, while well-intentioned, is kind of like this to me: it's like saying to every human being--you're flawed inherently, and here's why. We all have flaws because we are all human beings, but I think every person should come to his/her own conclusions.

I'm beginning to believe that every person must come to his/her own realization of whatever prejudices he/she may hold and that nothing I or anyone else says makes any difference at all. At best, all it does it foster guilt. At worst, it makes a person defensive and hold fast to conviction.

In my opinion, anti-racism work runs counter to what we think as Unitarians, which is thusly: a person has a right to his/her own way of belief. Anti-racism work is dogmatic in its own way: it says we're right and you're wrong. Whether we admit it or not, there is a dogmatic quality to Unitarianism. And I shy far away from anything dogmatic.

It was why I became a Unitarian in the first place. Dogmatic religions say: we think, so you don't have to.

I'd prefer thinking for myself, thank you.