Summary

The web content discusses the pervasive nature of racism in society, its normalization in the lives of People of Color, and the urgent need for action and dialogue to combat it.

Abstract

The article "Feigning Innocence" delves into the systemic issue of racism, highlighting how it is deeply woven into the fabric of existence for People of Color. It underscores the collective acceptance of racism, often through passive complicity and historical distortion. The author emphasizes the necessity for active recognition and eradication of racism, which is often ignored or dismissed. The piece calls for the end of silence and indifference, advocating for courageous conversations about race, diversity, and inequality. It stresses the importance of solidarity, compassion, empathy, and action to ignite change and ensure that the voices of those affected are heard. The author, Gladys Dae Weeks, a retired educator and poet, asserts that People of Color deserve to exist without the shadow of racism and calls for a united front to dismantle systemic racial injustices.

Opinions

Racism is an ever-present reality for People of Color, insidiously integrated into daily life from birth.
Society often turns a blind eye to racism, either through willful ignorance or by altering historical narratives to obscure the truth.
The author criticizes the feigned innocence of those who benefit from systemic inequality but choose to remain silent or complicit.
There is a strong call to action for individuals to not only talk about racism but to actively engage in anti-racist efforts and to support diversity and inclusion.
The article suggests that words without actions are meaningless and that real change requires solidarity and empathetic understanding.
The author believes that racism must be brought to light and confronted directly to foster a world where everyone is recognized as equal and deserving of existence.

Feigning Innocence

Of Our Existence

Photo by Nicolas Ladino Silva on Unsplash

You accept racism as a thread of your own existence like the blood that fuels your hearts

You accept racism as a thread of your own existence ignoring it’s existence

You accept racism as a thread of your own existence giving no credence to the hate it spews

You accept racism as a thread of your own existence altering history to distort the truth

You accept racism as a thread of your own existence relinquishing recognition, complicit in silence

You accept racism as a thread of your own existence feigning innocence of fundamental inequality

You accept racism as a thread of your own existence learning to navigate blindly

You accept racism as a thread of your own existence refusing to eradicate it’s toxins that destroys our world like a disease further separating us

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN NO ONE TALKS ABOUT YOU

I DESERVE TO EXIST

I I hold steadfast to the dream MY DREAM

A dream of inclusion is where my optimism lies where we are all equal living life in solidarity

I wonder if my dream will be more than a memory encoded on an engram

For People Of Color racism is a way of life. We face it daily, from the moment we enter this world. Like a shadow it follows, never leaving our side, hiding in the daylight behind innocence.

Racism can no longer hide. It can no longer be ignored. Silence is not golden! We need indifference and ignorance to be a thing of the past.

As the picture states, “Words Do Not Mean Anything.” We need actions to back them up. We need solidarity. We need compassion. We need empathy. We need to have courageous conversations about diversity, racial bias, race, and racial inequality.

Ignite change. Talk about. Be about it. Do something about it. Let our voices be heard. We too, deserve to exist.

“Blue Insights Cultural Prompts — June 2020”Future Sparks, Future Ignitions: Medium Readers, Curators & Writers: Optimism — Inclusion, solidarity, collaboration…medium.com

Gladys Dae Weeks is a retired educator who now writes part-time. Her book of poetry- Poetic Imagery:A Journey of Love, can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles.com. Thank you for reading!