"Racism is the place to start, because until we are willing and equipped to address it, we will be unable to resist other forms of oppression that intersect with and are informed by it" (92).
"Laments about a lack of time are never simply about a lack of time. They are statements about priorities. They are expressions of fear. The mask concerns about exposing inadequacies" (91).
I have read these two statements that are in close proximity to each other several times this afternoon and I have been thinking about them ever since. I agree with both statements, at least to a degree. It makes sense to start working to eradicate racism because it is the biggest and most pervasive form of oppression. Why start small? I also agree that by giving our time and attention to a cause we are marking it as something we value, something we think is worth exposing our fears and inadequacies over.
Why then am I struggling with these two things put together? I think it stems from what I value myself. Does it make me a bad person to think that possibly addressing issues of gender are just as pressing as issues of race? Does this negate my interesting in seeing racial equality? Can I work toward both at the same time? Should I put aside my personal interests in other areas for work toward a more "politically hot" issue?
I think I am struggling so much with the writers' valuing of race because they may be right: race may be the most important issue to address in order to see the end of all oppression, but also because they may be wrong. Working on the "smaller" problems of gender and race discrimination may be a more effective model.
Did anyone else struggle here?
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2 comments:
For me, part of the answer is to question the underlying assumptions of a policy, situation, statement, etc. Sometimes, I'll find some racially based, other times gender, and other times assumptions based on economics, language, etc. The point is to be willing to ask myself "why do I assume X?" and be willing to follow up with some kind of reflection and action.
Come to think of it, this is also a question I ask myself a lot in my academic life. I question many of the assumptions I had about learning, teaching, writing, and even thinking. The more I question, reflect, and act, the more willing I am to be open to new ways of thinking and doing. Perhaps this is a model for what can happen if I'm willing to question my assumptions about race, gender, etc. The more I do it, the more it becomes part of my "natural" process.
My priorities are always in the process of revision. Addressing issues regardless of what they are can become a natural part of living or teaching. Just because I don't dwell upon every issue all the time doesn't mean that it isn't important or shouldn't be addressed.
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