I often think of racism in a similar fashion to family addiction. One grandparent after another are alcoholics or druggies or gamblers that shake up and shape a family dynamics. Then you realize that your own father isn't an addict, but he acts like an addict. And, you are then raised in an addict's home. It's a real concept. The sa…
I often think of racism in a similar fashion to family addiction. One grandparent after another are alcoholics or druggies or gamblers that shake up and shape a family dynamics. Then you realize that your own father isn't an addict, but he acts like an addict. And, you are then raised in an addict's home. It's a real concept. The same is true with deep racial bias. Your ancestors were slave owners or held the idea that black people are worthless or lesser than your white privilege. It's passed down this racial bias. No, you aren't owning slaves anymore, but you wouldn't mind and you hold the mindset to do it in the southern way.
Christi, actually that is a current theory in psychology and biology: trauma gets into the DNA and is transmitted to future generations. Those of us who are Jews have the millennia of trauma encoded into us; that same is true for enslaved people, colonized people, the victims of assault: all are physically and genetically altered. there is research being done to see if those who enact trauma on others are similarly marked.
Religion plays a role too. Whities were supposed to be the Christians God loved best and they were to take a paternalistic view towards the "lesser tribe." Boy did that get corrupted to a fair thee well. I was gobsmacked when I learned that "picnic" had a connection to the fact that after church, many church people took lunch and went to lynchings. Found a pic of postcard that showed people eating lunch at a lynching. I'm sure my Mom and Dad knew of such but when I asked any questions was told " you don't want to know that old stuff."
I often think of racism in a similar fashion to family addiction. One grandparent after another are alcoholics or druggies or gamblers that shake up and shape a family dynamics. Then you realize that your own father isn't an addict, but he acts like an addict. And, you are then raised in an addict's home. It's a real concept. The same is true with deep racial bias. Your ancestors were slave owners or held the idea that black people are worthless or lesser than your white privilege. It's passed down this racial bias. No, you aren't owning slaves anymore, but you wouldn't mind and you hold the mindset to do it in the southern way.
Christi, actually that is a current theory in psychology and biology: trauma gets into the DNA and is transmitted to future generations. Those of us who are Jews have the millennia of trauma encoded into us; that same is true for enslaved people, colonized people, the victims of assault: all are physically and genetically altered. there is research being done to see if those who enact trauma on others are similarly marked.
do we dare try to understand. White "supremacists" think they already know who really matters
Religion plays a role too. Whities were supposed to be the Christians God loved best and they were to take a paternalistic view towards the "lesser tribe." Boy did that get corrupted to a fair thee well. I was gobsmacked when I learned that "picnic" had a connection to the fact that after church, many church people took lunch and went to lynchings. Found a pic of postcard that showed people eating lunch at a lynching. I'm sure my Mom and Dad knew of such but when I asked any questions was told " you don't want to know that old stuff."
Interesting, but nausea-inducing.
I want to retch
It is retch-worthy. And it is real. Thank you for your unwavering stance in support of equality, Roland. You represent the hope of this country.