All white people aren’t evil. Actually, there are some outstanding, understanding and selfless white people in this world, many of whom I call my classmates, friends and colleagues.
Those same compassionate white people understand, and many times join black people in their disgust with the racial inequality gap. They don’t try to silence or combat the black voice. They’re seen at marches and protests, speaking out against the injustices they witness.
They’re around. I see them all the time.
On the other hand, racist white people are also around, and I also see them all the time.
It needs to be understood that racism isn’t just saying, “I hate black people.” There’s this thing called institutional racism that often goes overlooked. It’s a form of racism that supports the thoughts and actions that implement disparities among the races, both politically and socially.
The same people who perpetuate racism like to believe black people create their problems in their heads. They believe if you don’t speak about it, it won’t exist.
But no, there’s just reasons why black people are more “woke” than some of their white counterparts.
For starters, it’s because they want to understand and contribute to the narrowing of the racial inequality gap, so they educate themselves and acknowledge what is happening in their environments.
Secondly, many African Americans know they will have to interact with white people on a regular basis. As a minority, their best option is to interact with and understand white people.
Black people don’t make these issues up in their heads. Many are actually paying attention to what’s happening in this country. Unlike some white people, who know they may never have to interact with a black person in their lifetime, and therefore refuse to understand the fight and outrage.
It’s understandable, but that doesn’t make it right.
And some white people really don’t comprehend the ongoing battle that black people are fighting. And that’s also OK. However, you have to be open to understanding.
As my father always says, “Ignorance is not a crime. The crime is the lack of intellectual curiosity.”
I can’t be mad that you don’t know or understand, but I can be mad if you refuse to try to understand.
If you’re white and you whine, complain and debate every time you hear a black person mention or defend “Black Lives Matter,” call out a racist or attempt to make a change in this country, you are absolutely part of the problem.
And even if you don’t say anything, you’re still contributing to the problem. You’re allowing racist ways of thinking to continue by doing nothing.
Silence is compliance.
I commend white people who speak out about what is right: equality and justice. They do exist, and they indeed have a seat at the table.
This isn’t white versus black, it’s right versus wrong.
Stand up and speak on what you know is right.
Clarke Perkins is a 20-year-old political science junior from New Orleans, Louisiana.