"White silence equals white consent"
A statement I saw earlier this week that got me thinking. Right now, the disgusting issues that the black community (particularly in the USA) are facing are becoming prominent on social media. The amount of black people shot and killed by police is appalling, and how they are portrayed in comparison to white people in media, (think Brock Turner), is more than noticeable.
Whilst I've discussed this with family and friends, I've never come to social media to express my disgust.
Why?
I was always afraid of saying the wrong thing, of offending people. I likened it to the fact that I hate when people talk about mental illness like they've experienced it, but really have no idea how ridiculous and offensive they're sounding. It was a mixture of being cowardly and fearing that I would be unintentionally disrespectful.
Then I saw this statement, and I realised that it made perfect sense. I thought about it in terms of feminism. Whilst it's fantastic that women have been fighting since Simone de Beauvoir initiated the first wave of feminism, feminism couldn't have achieved all it has so far without becoming allies with the suppressor; men. As Germaine Greer said, it's vital to see "men and women as equal partners". It's important that the oppressor and oppressee come together to fix what's broken rather than waging war against eachother. It's the same with not only black people, but with any other race that isn't white. (Also, and as any gender you identify with, not just male or female).
Being a woman, I understand the frustrations of this oppression, and as a white person, I understand the discomfort that comes with it. You think, but I don't do this. But then, I thought about it in terms of feminism once again, and it makes sense. I don't discriminate against other races, but more than enough white people do to make it a huge problem. Similarly, not all men rape and attack women, but enough do to make me scared of going out by myself.
So by seeing this statement, I realised I was unintentionally consenting. I was part of the problem, and for that, I am truly sorry. A woman on American television said that week that "there is only one race, the human race". We have set so many labels on eachother, trying to divide ourselves, something which we have achieved, which is only aiding our own destruction.
We all need to stop being quiet. We all have to let go of the fear of offending and stand up for what's right. It's vital that we acknowledge both our privileges and our maltreatments. We need to come together and realise that we're people. The colour of our skin, our sexuality, our religion, our gender, none of this needs to be a reason for hatred or separation. We are all vastly different and that's ok. But I am done with hate. I want to speak up and spread love. One voice more is always brilliant.
~~~~~~~~~`
All comments are welcome but asked to be respectful.
Say hi!
Facebook; justaoifethings
Twitter; @justaoifethings
Instagram: justaoifethings
Snapchat: justaoifethings
A statement I saw earlier this week that got me thinking. Right now, the disgusting issues that the black community (particularly in the USA) are facing are becoming prominent on social media. The amount of black people shot and killed by police is appalling, and how they are portrayed in comparison to white people in media, (think Brock Turner), is more than noticeable.
Whilst I've discussed this with family and friends, I've never come to social media to express my disgust.
Why?
I was always afraid of saying the wrong thing, of offending people. I likened it to the fact that I hate when people talk about mental illness like they've experienced it, but really have no idea how ridiculous and offensive they're sounding. It was a mixture of being cowardly and fearing that I would be unintentionally disrespectful.
Then I saw this statement, and I realised that it made perfect sense. I thought about it in terms of feminism. Whilst it's fantastic that women have been fighting since Simone de Beauvoir initiated the first wave of feminism, feminism couldn't have achieved all it has so far without becoming allies with the suppressor; men. As Germaine Greer said, it's vital to see "men and women as equal partners". It's important that the oppressor and oppressee come together to fix what's broken rather than waging war against eachother. It's the same with not only black people, but with any other race that isn't white. (Also, and as any gender you identify with, not just male or female).
Being a woman, I understand the frustrations of this oppression, and as a white person, I understand the discomfort that comes with it. You think, but I don't do this. But then, I thought about it in terms of feminism once again, and it makes sense. I don't discriminate against other races, but more than enough white people do to make it a huge problem. Similarly, not all men rape and attack women, but enough do to make me scared of going out by myself.
So by seeing this statement, I realised I was unintentionally consenting. I was part of the problem, and for that, I am truly sorry. A woman on American television said that week that "there is only one race, the human race". We have set so many labels on eachother, trying to divide ourselves, something which we have achieved, which is only aiding our own destruction.
We all need to stop being quiet. We all have to let go of the fear of offending and stand up for what's right. It's vital that we acknowledge both our privileges and our maltreatments. We need to come together and realise that we're people. The colour of our skin, our sexuality, our religion, our gender, none of this needs to be a reason for hatred or separation. We are all vastly different and that's ok. But I am done with hate. I want to speak up and spread love. One voice more is always brilliant.
~~~~~~~~~`
All comments are welcome but asked to be respectful.
Say hi!
Facebook; justaoifethings
Twitter; @justaoifethings
Instagram: justaoifethings
Snapchat: justaoifethings
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