This is just a general observation after reading a few of the diaries posted this week about populism and "the race card." While it was inspired by the commentary I'm not thinking of anyone in particular that it applies to; although it is clear that it does apply in this community and not just in general. Any prick of conscience felt or lack thereof is one's own business.
I can't help be struck by the angst and woe, the explosive outrage, the sheer fucking fury unleashed over maybe being stuck with a label, however charged, as "racist."
I mean, I try with great care to label behavior and not people. That's the rule as I understand it, don't insult people (kossacks that is), but behavior is fair game. I have had that label applied to my own behavior (however gently) and I deserved it. Anything so obvious as "you're a racist!" is going to receive donuts if it's done where anyone is liable to see it. Or, if not, then it should. There may be a fair bit of walking up to either side of the line and making faces at the perceived opposition, but that's the internet, full of courageous and trenchant and insightful rhetoric as always.
But the outrage, over a label, an insult. It is as if someone has been brutally slaughtered. The outrage strikes me as comparable to the outrage over actual physical mistreatment, abuse, beating, injury -- death -- in minority communities. I find it jarring, out of place and proportion. I find it rather shameful that some folks in the white community seem to find the perceived injury of the label so comparable to more tangible suffering, harm, even death.
On some level though, maybe it is; maybe being called a "racist" really is the worst thing that's liable to happen to the average white guy like myself. At least, when it comes to race-based injustice. Sure, maybe I could get shot for picking up a BB gun in a Walmart or somesuch, but what are the chances, really? Actually, I can't remember the last time I got pulled over by a cop. I'm not sure that I ever have...if I was, it must not have been memorable. Nice, eh? Granted I am a defensive and generally slow driver, but still.
There was one Sunday morning when my sweetie got pulled over for a wide turn, and I was a passenger. Didn't occur to me that maybe I could have been tased or hauled out of the car and beaten up if I'd looked at the cop funny. There is no place for that idea in my brain, I do not live in that world, a world which nevertheless does exist for some. It remains possible, yes, but for me unlikely.
I wonder if my community, that is, the white community, needs its own hashtag, perhaps something like #HandsUpDontCallMeRacist ...I don't know. I only dabble in this Twitter stuff, doesn't seem too catchy though. Just remember at the end of the day, if that horrendous word was slung in your direction, if it was something you said or they just threw at you or if for some reason you can't tell the difference...
Wait a minute...I'm white! Hahahaha.