Our mayor, Don Ness, is receiving threats and hate mail. It's all because he is supporting the Unfair Anti-Racism Campaign that has begun in Duluth. It alerts those of us who are white to be aware of times we might be subtlety "racist" and enjoying our white privilege in some way, perhaps even unconsciously. Apparently those who are complaining are doing so because they feel they are being called "racist," which they say is being racist.
Even though I consider myself open to all races, I know in my heart that I can unconsciously ignore the "white privilege" that is the default position of communities like mine, in which the majority are white. I remember becoming aware of how heterosexuals occupy the default position over homosexuals. I know I don't always even notice when I am assuming my default thinking.
I think to ignore the possibility that we all can be racist in some way, is to ignore our shadow sides (those parts of us that are unknown or unwelcome). When that happens, those parts of us show up when we least expect it (or want it).
Instead of feeling threatened by the Unfair Anti-Racist Campaign, why don't we all open up to the possibility that we could be and then strive to notice those times and then be open and welcoming to all?
A much lovelier and saner world, I think.
