For white people in America, it is up to each of us to first listen. Then, we must seek greater knowledge about our country’s deeply rooted racism. It is an undue burden on our colleagues and friends of color to teach us about racism and do the mental work for us.
Understanding begins with all of us looking inward, reflecting on our own attitudes, and of course, having difficult conversations with family and friends.
No one becomes “not racist,” despite a tendency by Americans to identify themselves that way. We can only strive to be “antiracist” on a daily basis, to continually rededicate ourselves to the lifelong task of overcoming our country’s racist heritage.
As the abortion debate rages on, abortion rights opponents are quick to point out supposed risks associated with abortion; but rarely do they mention the sobering reality of what following through with a pregnancy can mean to a woman.
Two kinds of revolution are taking place on Capitol Hill. Both are led by women, and both are transforming politics. But we must remain aware of the old fashioned sexism that threatens to derail these advances.