Summary

The article emphasizes the critical need for more white men to actively engage in anti-racist efforts to significantly reduce racism and its impacts.

Abstract

The article, authored by a Black woman, discusses the importance of white men's involvement in anti-racism. It acknowledges the tendency of some white readers to be passive observers of racism, expressing sympathy without taking action. The author argues that substantial progress in the fight against racism hinges on white men becoming allies, advocates, and leaders in the anti-racist movement. The piece calls for white men to leverage their privilege to influence their networks and communities, highlighting the potential for white men to interrupt the radicalization of their peers by extreme-right groups. The author expresses a refusal to accept racism as an intractable issue and calls for a collective effort to eradicate it, envisioning a future where racism is extinct and all individuals are considered equal.

Opinions

The author suggests that some white readers consume content about racism with a sense of detachment or voyeurism, failing to take meaningful action.
There is a critique of society's tendency to prioritize environmental concerns over actively working to dismantle racism.
The author rejects the notion that racism is an unchangeable aspect of the world, viewing such beliefs as a form of resignation.
The article underscores the unique influence white men have in reaching other white men, who may be more receptive to messages from individuals within their own demographic.
The author expresses hope and the necessity for white men to be at the forefront of anti-racist work, using their privilege to combat racism and white supremacy.
The author calls for white men to engage in self-education and to spread anti-racist messages within their personal circles, including family, friends, and colleagues.

The World Needs More Anti-Racist White Men

It’s the only way we can get to a world without racism

As a Black woman, I write about how it feels to be a victim of racism.

I suspect that some of my white readers are a little voyeuristic and enjoy reading about the painful situations I encounter. They get to walk in my shoes for four minutes and can return to the safety and comfort of their white lives. Some have the courage to comment. They tell me how sorry they are that these horrible things happen to me. They hit send, wash their hands of the problem and go about their lives.

Very few ask what they can actually do to drive anti-racism in their personal networks and communities. But these are the people who give me hope.

I can’t explain what lies behind human inaction on a topic as important as racism. I know it makes people feel uncomfortable, but is that a reason to ignore it, or even worse, not call out racism when you see it? Others are more concerned about saving a wide variety of fauna and flora than about actually working to dismantle racism which causes an inordinate amount of pain, trauma, and even death to a large portion of the human species. This begs the question:

Do Black lives really not matter in the slightest?

There also seems to be a sort of resignation, a laissez-faire attitude, and even acceptance of racism as an unalterable state that will never go away.

I often hear people say:

“It is what it is.”

“You need to toughen up.”

“The world is the way it is; there’s nothing we can do to change it.”

I refuse to accept these assumptions about racism. They make me feel like a prisoner condemned to a life sentence of racism without a chance of parole, and that is a rather bleak prospect. I need to believe that the world will evolve and that one day, racism will become extinct.

Black people can talk as long as we want about racism. But the only way we will make exponential progress is if white men become strong allies, advocates, leaders, and disciples in anti-racism.

That’s what keeps me going day after day. I would grow despondent if all I could see on the horizon of my life were microaggressions after macroaggressions, engaged in a malevolent dance of blatant racism and discrimination. Is that a life that you would like to lead? Is that a life that you would want for your children or grandchildren?

When I read about the likes of Kyle Rittenhouse and the suspect in the killing of six Asian Americans in Atlanta, I realize that to interrupt the radicalization of white men by extreme-right groups, we need more white anti-racist men in the world. And I insist on white men, because as John DeVore points out in this great piece, “White Men Tend To Only Listen To Other White Men,” and sometimes white women, and rarely to a person of color.

Black people can talk as long as we want about racism. But the only way we will make exponential progress is if white men become strong allies, advocates, leaders, and disciples in anti-racism.

White men need to be on the frontlines and in the trenches waging war on racism and saving other white men from the tentacles of white supremacy. Like the multi-headed hydra of Greek mythology, racism is a monster that needs to be slain — sometimes over and over to make sure that it is gone once and for all.

And so, I am calling on all white men to join this fight against racism. Unlike any other occupation you’ll ever apply for, every single applicant who is genuinely interested in being an anti-racist will be accepted for this job.

White men, you will be expected to use your privilege to permeate all layers of society to bring across important anti-racism messages. Speak to your sons, fathers, wives, friends, and colleagues. Get them to join you on this journey.

Know that you will contribute to bringing about a world without racism, where every human being, regardless of their skin color, is truly considered equal.