One of the prerequisites for journalism at Mizzou is J2000, also known as Cross Cultural Journalism. In that class, we tackle the media through a cultural lens- one that will hopefully assist in our becoming great journalists that think about the stories we cover and write in a deeper way.
We have to discuss some significant (and sometimes difficult) issues and incidents. Our most recent conversation sparked some self reflection about my own experiences and the experiences of others as people of color. Something I've noticed in various conversations dealing with race is that some are often quick to say "Well, not all white people..."
For a long time, I didn't find any fault in this particular statement. It seemed like a normal mechanism to defend yourself and others. However, after being in college and having conversations to an extent that I didn't have them in high school, my thoughts have begun to shift.
For those of you who don't completely understand why this statement could be seen as undermining, pay close attention to this rest of this article.
When you say to a person of color "Well, not all white people..." during a conversation about race, racism, disadvantages of minorities (the list goes on), it's hard not to feel invalidated. To me, that statement implies that you are more concerned with being on the defensive instead of hearing what I am saying. There is a reason I, or someone else, said what we said. there is significance behind what's being said; it didn't simply come out of thin air. While you may not be the one directly contributing to the someone's discomfort in their skin, there are many people who are.
We know that every white person isn't racist or a Nazi or whatever else. We are not ignorant about it. With that being said, there is absolutely no reason to remind us every time race comes up in a conversation.
If we use "white people" in a general sense, it is because whiteness as an institution, as a social construct, is the problem. These conversations tend not to be individualized unless that is the specific intention.
At this point, there should be no reason for a person of color to have to explain themselves when saying "white people." If you know it and I know it, stop repeating it. If you feel as if you're getting defensive, take a second and think. Think about the implications that come with this statement, think deeper than your feelings and take into account that this person's life experiences being a person of color are vastly different than yours. Be an active listener and conduct some self reflection. It will be useful in the long run.
