Before watching these videos, I had always assumed that facts are the way to go when trying to combat racism and show that racism is still a current problem. However, these videos showed me that facts don't allow for a personal understanding. When people share their stories, it is much more effective as it involves life experiences and emotions that can grasp people's attention more than facts do. As a POC, I hope to use my own experiences and what I have learned through these modules in future conversations about race.
I think so too! A mutual exchange of culture and experiences goes a long way in trying to understand someone's background. There's more emotion and personal connection when sharing life experiences, and I think that's what we should be doing in order to better understand each other.
I agree that personal stories are certainly important and I think the biggest idea is making room for hearing others, even when those perspectives are not perspectives I agree with.
Being white, I worry that my story may not be that powerful. I don't have many personal experiences and my opinions have largely been informed by facts and hearing the experiences of POC.
I also think there is technique in listening to someone else's story, a story you disagree with, and broadening their perspective while not dismissing their story. And in some cases I'm not sure I feel equipped to do that adequately.
But as Luvvie Ajayi's video addressed, have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. And as Tom Rietz mentioned it is important to keep in mind you won't change everyone's perspective at the time or maybe ever.
One other thought I have is that to change the discourse all types of strategies are needed. I think for me an approach similar to Tom's makes the most sense, listen to others and try to respectfully move others in a new direction (though that can be very challenging to remain respectful). But I also think it is totally appropriate and warranted to have loud, in your face voices, and even extremists in the conversation. I guess the point is, I don't believe there is only one way to have these talks, and I don't believe only using one method will be successful. I think that is a lesson from the Civil Rights movement that many voices and perspectives can be heard and we should allow for all of them. Finding the voice that is most effective and most true to ourselves is important - but we all need to find a voice.
I agree, Daryl: it takes a variety of tactics. Personal conversations, protests, elections, uprisings, all of it. The movement in the 1960s needed both an MLK and a Malcolm X (though by the end, they weren't as far apart as many people tend to think).
These all really struck chords, and I agree that it takes a variety of tactics. When it comes to confronting my own racism, Jay Smooth's talk really hit home. It's so important to remember that getting rid of racism is an ongoing process and that the fact that we have ingrained prejudices and racist attitudes doesn't make us bad people. Racism is like plaque, it keeps building up over time.