I tend to think of past racism as historical learning. But when the perpetrators and the government are both complicit, and the actions are taken without any consideration of the people they are hurting, this history becomes darker. And the fact that many of these opinions and actions exist today in different forms is unacceptable. It seems as though capitalism is one of the leading causes - and not sure how we change that behemoth. Certainly the place to start is by teaching our children about the wrongs of our ancestors, and teaching them that all life is precious. Thankfully, it appears that youth is much more accepting of everyone. But we can't rest on that assumption.
I agree that many of the forms of racism mentioned in Module 1 seem motivated by economics. Perhaps we can generalize and say that most forms of racism are motivated by the desire for power and control, whether that's economic or some other form of power.
I really appreciate reading everyone's thoughts on this issue, especially the videos. I was in Alabama and Georgia when the pandemic started, on a Civil Rights Pilgrimage that took us to many museums, elbow to elbow with strangers, and getting lots of hugs at churches and on tours, with people who have been in the movement since Dr. King.
My stated goal at the beginning of the trip was to better understand the economics and underlying rationale for the horrible racism in the South, but after the Montgomery visit to the lynching memorial and the EJI museum on lynching, I was left with more fear and anger than before. Not only does the lynching continue in different forms in the prison system, and with COVID, and redlining, and not only in the South, but the teaching of racism to multiple generations continues. It's not enough to sign laws, it's what's in people's hearts and actions that determine who we are. Not sure how to change that, am hoping to get some ideas, and I appreciate all your comments on that path.