Power

Friday, February 27, 1998

Power

PRIVELEGE: Racism only exists when one has prejudice and the
power to act upon it, not when

one group’s opportunities

are dominated by another

By Michael Schwartz

Psychologist Beverly Tatum once made this analogy about racism
in America: "I sometimes visualize the ongoing cycle of racism as a
moving walkway at the airport. Active racist behavior is equivalent
to walking fast on the conveyor belt. The person engaged in active
racist behavior has identified with the ideology of white supremacy
and is moving with it. Passive racist behavior is equivalent to
standing still on the walkway.

"No overt effort is being made, but the conveyor belt moves the
bystanders along to the same destination as those who are actively
walking. Some of the bystanders may feel the motion of the conveyor
belt, see the active racists ahead of them, and choose to turn
around, unwilling to go to the same destination as the white
supremacists. But unless they are walking actively in the opposite
direction at a speed faster than the conveyor belt – unless they
are actively anti-racist – they will find themselves carried along
with the others."

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. A little bit about my
past and what my life is like today.

When I was 13 years old, my father died. For those of you who
don’t know what it’s like to lose a parent at such a crucial age
I’m glad you don’t. Two weeks later my grandfather also passed
away. This made my mother a single parent. A single parent living
on welfare. My mom has multiple sclerosis and is unable to work or
walk. How did this affect me? I flunked my entire freshman year. I
joined a gang and spent my time hustling in pool halls or hanging
out on the corner drinking. My mom couldn’t control me. I had the
opportunity to do anything and everything I wanted to. I did just
that. Obviously things changed. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here
writing about this now. Thanks to welfare my mother and I survived.
Thanks to affirmative action I’m at UCLA today.

Racism very much exists in America, and it must be unlearned the
same way it was learned. If you want an example of racism, here’s
one: Any white person, who upon reading this thought I was black or
Latino, there’s your racism. I’m a white male. White males and
white females are entitled to privilege every day of our lives. We
have the privilege to be classified as individuals, whereas people
of color are considered just as one group. Many believe that only
minorities are on welfare, and that the minorities are the ones who
kept your friends from being admitted into college.

What’s the difference between prejudice and racism? Racism is
prejudice plus power. I’m sure many will agree that everyone has
certain prejudices, but only the white people have the power – 98.6
percent of top-level jobs in this country are held by white males.
Hence, only whites can be racist. I want you to recognize your
privilege because if you’re white you have it. Don’t even mention
"reverse racism;" it doesn’t exist. To inflict racism, you need
power; minorities don’t have power. I’ll be the first one to admit
I’m a racist. I’m white and I’m prejudiced! That’s all you
need.

You want to know my privilege? I’m the one who’s on welfare, and
I’m the one who got into UCLA because of affirmative action. Yet my
best friend, who’s a middle-class Mexican, and had almost a 4.0 GPA
and a 1310 on his SAT’s will get blamed as the one who took your
friend’s spot and is taking your tax dollars.

Racism isn’t about the Klansmen, it’s about us. It’s the system,
which is designed to keep people of color down. It’s a system in
which cops pull people over because they’re black, and people don’t
even get applications to jobs because of their skin color. The
problem is we don’t realize that racism is our problem, not their
problem. If we as white people don’t do something about racism,
nothing will ever change. People of color have done everything they
can to educate the white people about themselves and their culture.
They’re tired and they deserve a rest. Now we must pick up the
fight. If we don’t, the cycle will continue. Racism is very covert
today, but you need to be aware of it. Reread the quote at the
beginning. Where do you see yourself on that walkway? Are you
moving forward? Are you standing still? Most people are. Or are you
walking the other way? If you’re walking the other way, be prepared
to bump into a lot of people moving forward.

Did you know there are laws in this country that are only used
against blacks, Latinos and Asians? Just because you don’t burn
crosses or use the word n–r doesn’t make you free of racism.

We are racist, but we have the power to change things. I know
what you’re thinking; what the hell does that mean? It means you
need to recognize your racist sentiments and your privilege. Stop
blaming people of color for your problems, stop telling jokes about
others, and check your beliefs. The next time you hear a racist
joke, or racist remarks, don’t let them slide by unchallenged. If
you notice that you got served before the person of color next to
you, say something. Speak up! Racism must be unlearned the same way
it was learned. And if you thought I was black, or Latino, or had
any thoughts about me at the beginning of this, you are in need of
some unlearning. We all are. Don’t fool yourself into thinking
racism is when someone’s called n–r. Remember one thing: You need
to change yourself before you can change the world. It all starts
with you. All I can ask is that you look deep inside yourself and
realize some things. Realize that racism exists and it is powerful.
Realize that if you’re white you are racist. I’m sorry if it hurts,
but it’s true. Realize you’re entitled to so much privilege just
for being white.

Thank you for listening; it’s just the first step. I hope if
anything you won’t only look at blacks and Latino’s as the people
who "stole your friend’s spot," because it just might have been me.
I hope you don’t think it’s "those minorities" on welfare, because
you know what? It’s me.