White Denial

"It's not like I made black people slaves, racism isn't my fault."

"I didn't ask for white privilege, I don't feel bad for having it."

"I am NOT a racist but...."

When it comes to the conversation of race, white people really like to avoid it. If they're forced to talk about race, they'll deny it. They'll deny that they see color and deny that they've ever had an even remotely racist thought cross their mind Yet we live in a society clearly differentiated by color lines where racism is rampant and a system of white supremacy is in control. To say that you are not a racist is reasonable, but people often use that statement to suggest that they see a society of equality which is entirely unfounded. 

I wonder why many white people are like this and it seems as though the most reasonable explanation is that denying racial issues is the easiest path towards non-action. To acknowledge that there is a problem suggests that there should be a solution. However, solutions towards equality oftentimes involve having to overthrow the system of white supremacy which seems counter intuitive for those who reap the benefits of it. 

But perhaps the reasoning for white denial is simpler and much more passive. Many whites are extremely uneducated when it comes to the realities of racial issues. And is that their fault? Not necessarily. The education system perpetuates biased curriculum which teaches the history of white men and not necessarily the whole of human experience. Additionally, considering that the majority of the white population grows up in areas heavily dominated by whites with little to no minority influence, there seems to be relatively few opportunities for whites to even stumble across the realities of racism unless they seek the knowledge for themselves.

The whole issue of denial is a major obstacle in progressing towards a more just society, but how is it to be solved? I'm personally a major proponent of revamping the educational system and ridding old curriculum in order to replace it with a history that expresses the plight of minorities and the wrongdoings of the majority much more in depth. But I am not convinced that such an effort would fully alleviate the issue at hand. 

Race is an issue that no one wants to talk about. Why? Because it is awkward. Having an open conversation about race means ridding yourself of your preconceived notions and attempting to have an honest conversation while pushing away the fear of offending others or seeming uninformed. Ultimately though, if there is to be forward motion in the fight for equality, this is a conversation that needs to be brought to the masses and even put in the national spotlight so white denial can be remedied. 

I wonder who could do such a thing?

....... Obama? Hello?