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Friday, February 27, 1998

Power

PRIVELEGE: Racism only exists when one has prejudice and the power to act upon it, not when

one group's opportunities

are dominated by another

By Michael Schwartz

Psychologist Beverly Tatum once made this analogy about racism in America: "I sometimes visualize the ongoing cycle of racism as a moving walkway at the airport. Active racist behavior is equivalent to walking fast on the conveyor belt. The person engaged in active racist behavior has identified with the ideology of white supremacy and is moving with it. Passive racist behavior is equivalent to standing still on the walkway.

"No overt effort is being made, but the conveyor belt moves the bystanders along to the same destination as those who are actively walking. Some of the bystanders may feel the motion of the conveyor belt, see the active racists ahead of them, and choose to turn around, unwilling to go to the same destination as the white supremacists. But unless they are walking actively in the opposite direction at a speed faster than the conveyor belt - unless they are actively anti-racist - they will find themselves carried along with the others."

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. A little bit about my past and what my life is like today.

When I was 13 years old, my father died. For those of you who don't know what it's like to lose a parent at such a crucial age I'm glad you don't. Two weeks later my grandfather also passed away. This made my mother a single parent. A single parent living on welfare. My mom has multiple sclerosis and is unable to work or walk. How did this affect me? I flunked my entire freshman year. I joined a gang and spent my time hustling in pool halls or hanging out on the corner drinking. My mom couldn't control me. I had the opportunity to do anything and everything I wanted to. I did just that. Obviously things changed. Otherwise I wouldn't be here writing about this now. Thanks to welfare my mother and I survived. Thanks to affirmative action I'm at UCLA today.

Racism very much exists in America, and it must be unlearned the same way it was learned. If you want an example of racism, here's one: Any white person, who upon reading this thought I was black or Latino, there's your racism. I'm a white male. White males and white females are entitled to privilege every day of our lives. We have the privilege to be classified as individuals, whereas people of color are considered just as one group. Many believe that only minorities are on welfare, and that the minorities are the ones who kept your friends from being admitted into college.

What's the difference between prejudice and racism? Racism is prejudice plus power. I'm sure many will agree that everyone has certain prejudices, but only the white people have the power - 98.6 percent of top-level jobs in this country are held by white males. Hence, only whites can be racist. I want you to recognize your privilege because if you're white you have it. Don't even mention "reverse racism;" it doesn't exist. To inflict racism, you need power; minorities don't have power. I'll be the first one to admit I'm a racist. I'm white and I'm prejudiced! That's all you need.

You want to know my privilege? I'm the one who's on welfare, and I'm the one who got into UCLA because of affirmative action. Yet my best friend, who's a middle-class Mexican, and had almost a 4.0 GPA and a 1310 on his SAT's will get blamed as the one who took your friend's spot and is taking your tax dollars.

Racism isn't about the Klansmen, it's about us. It's the system, which is designed to keep people of color down. It's a system in which cops pull people over because they're black, and people don't even get applications to jobs because of their skin color. The problem is we don't realize that racism is our problem, not their problem. If we as white people don't do something about racism, nothing will ever change. People of color have done everything they can to educate the white people about themselves and their culture. They're tired and they deserve a rest. Now we must pick up the fight. If we don't, the cycle will continue. Racism is very covert today, but you need to be aware of it. Reread the quote at the beginning. Where do you see yourself on that walkway? Are you moving forward? Are you standing still? Most people are. Or are you walking the other way? If you're walking the other way, be prepared to bump into a lot of people moving forward.

Did you know there are laws in this country that are only used against blacks, Latinos and Asians? Just because you don't burn crosses or use the word n--r doesn't make you free of racism.

We are racist, but we have the power to change things. I know what you're thinking; what the hell does that mean? It means you need to recognize your racist sentiments and your privilege. Stop blaming people of color for your problems, stop telling jokes about others, and check your beliefs. The next time you hear a racist joke, or racist remarks, don't let them slide by unchallenged. If you notice that you got served before the person of color next to you, say something. Speak up! Racism must be unlearned the same way it was learned. And if you thought I was black, or Latino, or had any thoughts about me at the beginning of this, you are in need of some unlearning. We all are. Don't fool yourself into thinking racism is when someone's called n--r. Remember one thing: You need to change yourself before you can change the world. It all starts with you. All I can ask is that you look deep inside yourself and realize some things. Realize that racism exists and it is powerful. Realize that if you're white you are racist. I'm sorry if it hurts, but it's true. Realize you're entitled to so much privilege just for being white.

Thank you for listening; it's just the first step. I hope if anything you won't only look at blacks and Latino's as the people who "stole your friend's spot," because it just might have been me. I hope you don't think it's "those minorities" on welfare, because you know what? It's me.