Image Description: The word ‘Racism’ is written in black letters, a red circle is around it with a slash coming through it to cross it out.
I’ve been reflecting on a quote from Angela Davis:
“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist — we must be anti-racist.”
Racism is pervasive, but it is in some ways taboo, even as it is expressed systemically and increasingly overtly. And white people (I’m among them) often spend a lot of time trying to prove to ourselves and others that we are non-racist — not like “those people.”
But at the very same time, we may be doing very little to challenge, disrupt, and change this reality. We paste quotes of MLK over our social-media sites in times that are especially difficult but then become uncomfortable, radio silent, or actively resistant when people challenge, protest, and disrupt the systems of white supremacy — both within and beyond the legacy of MLK.
“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist — we must be anti-racist.”
– Angela Y. Davis
Smuggling Grace 