I don't know if any of you clicked on the "YouTube" link to watch the videos in this training on YouTube rather than embedded in the training (I thought it would be easier to make them fullscreen), but I deeply regret looking at the comments. I just have so much trouble understanding where this active denial is coming from - on videos that are literally explaining concepts like systemic racism, people in the comments are dismissing it exists. I have a desire to engage with these people, but I feel as though it won't be productive since we're not in person, and I'm a complete stranger. I'm curious if any of you have experienced something similar or have any advice for how to prevent these comments from ruining your mood for long periods of time?
I think the only people we can really influence are the people in our lives. That's why it's so important that EVERYONE has these discussions. We won't be able to change or affect someone who is a stranger because it's easy to dismiss someone you don't know. So when I read comments like what you describe, I take it as a learning opportunity to understand what reasons are given when someone is in denial so I can counter them in the future.
I've lived in rural West TN for 30 years. These discussions are extremely difficult. Even calling out obviously racist jokes or terms is hard. I recently had a brief introduction to Cards Against Humanity. From my view it was a pathetic game that promoted all kinds of biased talk. I walked away from this after saying something like "this is a horrible game" and left the party. Cards Against Humanity should have been an alarm bell that Trump was on the way. I never imagined how far this sort of thinking could go. It is truly terrifying. We waste opportunities by not extending them to all. It's time to call it out in our own thinking and become more aware of how bias extends into our lives.