I got this great gift in the mail from Racial Justice for Black Lives (formerly Black Lives Matter – Acton). I think every member of the Board of Selectmen got one: a copy of “White Fragility” by Robin Diangelo.
There are a lot of ways to describe the central message in this book. I think of it as a fish convincing other fish that water is a real thing. A key part of being raised white is to not think about whiteness, because the lessons we learned about how everyone is our brother and how important it is to be kind to everyone are so at odds with the lessons we learned about how Black people, and other non-white people, are dangerous or bad or not quite people. A few white people just deal with this contradiction by denying everyone’s humanity and being openly prejudiced. But the way many of us were raised was different. We learned a few catchphrases to help our minds skirt around the issues of race and our internalized contradictions and prejudices, such as “I’m colorblind” or “I don’t care if you are black or white or purple”, and live and work in places where, with a bit of unspoken effort, issues of race and caste can be restfully ignored for days at a time.
To face issues of internalized racism, and the systemic racism that perpetuates it, creates moments of great discomfort for most white people. The times and places where I’ve been supported through those spaces of discomfort have been of great importance to me, for example via the anti-racism work at my church. They’ve helped me understand that every time I can speak simply and truthfully about racial issues, and every time I can listen to others doing the same, are moments of great power and learning.
On the Acton Board of Selectmen we are currently all white. We are being called to speak and act on issues of racism, diversity, equity and inclusion. The conversations have not always been easy. I’ve appreciated all the calls and notes I’ve gotten from folks in Acton to encourage courageous action, and to point out places where our blinders might have led us astray. I promise to continue to listen with an open heart. I know I will sometimes feel defensive, and that sometimes that defensiveness will leak out into my speech. I hope folks can be forgiving of that, as I will continue to be forgiving of the defensiveness of my colleagues on the Board.
White fragility is real, and it’s part of the context of serving in Acton town government on the Board of Selectmen. An honest determination to do the right thing, and a willingness to learn from each other and from our constituents, is also part of the spirit of the Board. That spirit will carry us forward through the urgent work that we recognize needs to be done.