I just finished reading a post by a former colleague of mine, Patti Digh, who writes an award-winning blog, 37 Days. It's called "Stop doing insignificant work in the world" and it provokes those who are white and straight to ask themselves, would they really want to be treated the way people of color and GLBT people are treated in our society, and if not, what are they going to do about it? Very provocative. Here's the link:
http://37days.typepad.com/37days/2008/02/stop-hate.html
I think this is so appropriate, given the fact that today is the 40th anniversary of the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We have so far to go when it comes to racism and homophobia. Yes, we've come a long way, but we're not there yet.
I cannot tell you how many times I have been to social events, and people use gayness as the punch line. Do people not stop to think that maybe the people sitting in the room have gay friends, or gay siblings?
I've gone to social events where people go on and on about "illegals", as if they're some sort of enemy. Yes, these are parties where I'm the only person of color and I'm not sure if I'm the only progressive there, so I don't say anything. But it's very uncomfortable.
I've gone to parties where the hostess, perhaps not through ill intent but rather through ignorance, made comments like, "I can't believe he tried to Jew me down!" or "We didn't have a Chinaman's chance!" Once I ignored it and felt awful for doing so. Another time I confronted the person who made the offending remark, and the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
When Patti talks about doing significant work, how many people really make a point of getting to know people who are different than them? How many people read about people who are different than them? How many people confront others when a racist joke is made? Or a homophobic joke? How many people stand up to racism or homophobia? It is difficult to do, because, as one of my diversity workshop participants put it, you're labeled as "that person". But so what? If none of us stands up to racism and homophobia, how will it ever go away?
Take a look at the presidential candidate you're supporting. How do they do in terms of dealing with racism and homophobia? Not so good? Then maybe it's time to switch your support.
