Thread on a wild yet not uncommon exchange today. I share as an anecdote of how embedded racism is in our society & how close it's tied to economics
A white guy named "Bill" age ~60 says to, "Where are you *from* from?"
Me: [sigh] I'm from Pakistan. [I go back to my phone]
Bill: Pakistan? What do you do for a living?
Me: Civil rights lawyer
Bill: I'm a lawyer too! But I stay away from race & women stuff. Last thing I need is to be called racist or accused of sexual harassment
Me: Huh?
/1
Bill: So Pakistani? I'm a landlord too. Can I tell you a story about what my Indian tenant did to me?
Me: I don't need to kno—
Bill: So I raise her rent & she won't renew. So I tell her I have to bring in people to see the apt. But every time I'd bring a prospective tenant, she'd invite her Black friends to the apt.
Me: Uhh ok?
Bill: Don't you get it? No one wants to rent a place w/Black people around.
Me: Wait, I'm sorry, what?
Bill: Can you believe it? She did that on purpose!
Me:😳
/2
Me: Yeah, Bill. That's pretty racist. In fact, that's the definition of racism.
Bill: Oh no I'm not racist. The prospective tenants might be. But—
Me: You can probably stop talking. I'm good.
Bill: I need to pay my bills. Who cares if they're racist?
[He Kept Talking]
Bill: I can't be racist. I've dated Black women.
Me: Bill you should really stop. This dialogue doesn't need to go on.
Bill: But how can I convince you I'm not racist?
Me: You do not have to worry about me.
IN CLOSING
/3
4 lessons I want to point out:
First, he didn't see himself as racist b/c he "dated Black women"
•LESSON 1: Proximity to race isn't exemption from being racist
Second, he didn't mind racist tenants b/c it paid his bills
•LESSON 2: Financial power structures built on white supremacy perpetuate white supremacy
Third, he felt like he was the victim
•LESSON 3: Racists in power are used to privilege their entire lives, so equality feels like oppression
/4
@QasimRashid
I was raised with racism - the genteel type that could get away with not calling itself that. I moved away from it when I was 18, started recognizing it in my early-20s, and now, 35+ years later, I still have to stop and think before I speak, in certain situations. It's insidious.
The *only* reason I've made what progress I have is people calling me on it, and pointing it out. Then I have to go away, be by myself a bit while I think it through from a different perspective.
