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Racism is difficult to understand because it has no justifiable or logical basis. But, there is one thing we can all come to understand: the people who hate us because of how we look are simply being who and what they are and choose to be. Who these people are has nothing to do with us per se. If they didn’t have Black people to hate, they’d be filled with hatred for something else.
Don’t spend time trying to change racist people; devote your energies to keeping them at a safe distance. If you came across a cobra, would you stand there trying to understand why it’s venomous and ready to bite you? Or, would you get the hell away from it? Dealing with a racist is no different than dealing with a cobra. While you’re wasting time trying to understand the racist’s emotional problems, he will in turn be using that time to cause damage to you.
Some racists are vicious enough to resort to violence and murder. Most frightening are the white supremacists who, as you read this, are waging what they call a “Racial Holy War” against people of color in The United States. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), as of the date of this article (January 10, 2015), there are 939 known hate groups operating across The United States, including: neo-Nazis, Klansmen, white nationalists, neo-Confederates and racist skinheads. An article in U.S. News & World Report (July 19, 1999) calculated over 500 hate groups operating in the U.S. at that time. This means that in sixteen years, the number of hate groups has essentially doubled.
Hate groups today are using First Amendment protections and the internet to spread their racist views and recruit new members. Unlike racists of old, these contemporary racists are educated, organized and well-financed. They’re also arming themselves with weapons. While there’s no need for panic, every person of color should consider this cause for concern. We must be watchful, be wary and take whatever steps necessary to protect ourselves and our families.
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Dealing With Racism (Continued)
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Black. Proud. Aware...
Racism is something every Black person experiences at some time or another. When it happens, we feel a profound confusion, hurt and anger. Our children are wounded emotionally and disappointed by a world that discriminates without real cause. A racist experience can stay with us for days, weeks, even a lifetime.
We know we’re good people; we try to live our lives in good faith, with respect and consideration for our fellow man. So, why do we encounter these problems?
Racism is difficult to understand because it has no justifiable or logical basis. But, there is one thing we can all come to understand: the people who hate us because of how we look are simply being who and what they are and choose to be. Who these people are has nothing to do with us per se. If they didn’t have Black people to hate, they’d be filled with hatred for something else. For these people, hatred is second nature.
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Volume I: Dealing With Racists and Racism
Our best defense against a growing climate of hatred is to stick together: communicate, support one another, share information and pool our resources. Money talks in this country and as a people, we have plenty of it. Economic strength is one effective way to stop racism in its tracks. Do not patronize racist businesses or lend your attention to racist media. No not accept inferior goods and services. Tune out movies, television shows and newspapers that are clearly biased against you. By shutting these entities out, you eliminate whatever power they trying to gain over you.
While many of us are disenchanted with our elected officials, we still need to raise our voices at the ballot. Make your voice heard by voting and knowing what’s going on in your state, local and federal government. Keep your eyes open and stay informed. Stay aware of what’s going on around you and use common sense to protect yourself and your loved ones from harm.
Dealing With Racism (Continued)
If and when you experience racism, especially when spending money, you have all the power in the world to deal with it. Take your money and walk away! NO business can survive without customers. If a business doesn’t treat you with the respect and appreciation you deserve for your patronage, never buy from that business again.
Work to control your anger and keep your cool. If you lose control of your emotions you lose the game. Use your head. Although anger is considered a negative emotion, anger can be channeled in positive ways to produce positive results. Black people in America represent trillions of dollars in spending power. Exercise that power. Make it known that you are not doing to support businesses that don’t support you. Spend your valuable dollars where they will most benefit you and other people of color!
Remember, racists are fearful bullies who have nothing to offer the world except hatred. They cover their worthless feelings with delusions of superiority and they lack spirituality. When racists attempt to insult, demean and hurt you, it’s not because something is wrong with you, it’s because something is wrong with them. If they can intimidate you, they will. If they can hurt you, they shall. The only way racists can define themselves is to destroy others. Do not allow racism to hurt or destroy you.
Why someone doesn’t like you is their business, not yours. What someone tries to do to you should be your primary concern.
Contrary to what many folks say, we don’t have to live with racism. Racism can surround our spaces and not be allowed to enter. It can exist in other people’s consciousness and never affect our own. It can eat others from the inside out while we protect ourselves from the outside in. It can be someone elses problem, not ours. In other words, racism is something we as a people, can definitely live without.
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