Sophia White

December 8, 2015
Period 9
The Necessity of Talking about Race
Everyone, no matter what they look like, where they come from, or what they believe, deserves to
have basic equal opportunities. The United States prides itself as the land of equal opportunity,
designed to encompass and welcome a melting pot of cultures and people, but this initial intention
couldnt be farther from reality. Today, the United States has less equality of opportunity than almost any
other advanced industrial country, and this is largely attributable to the continuing existence of racism.
Cultural norms and values, the actions of individuals, and the institutional structures and practices of
society perpetuate the subordination of targeted groups with little social power (minorities) by the
dominant racial group (whites). Racially targeted groups of people are forced to act with extreme
consciousness of their actions simply because they have to face the reality of racism in order to survive.
Part of what obstructs fluid conversation on race is stubbornness or the plain ignorance of the issue as a
discussion that must be held, or the lack of knowing how to initiate dialogue between diverse groups of
people. Racism is an extremely important and complex issue, and properly executed dialogue is an
essential component to taking it on.
One barrier that stands in the way of the occurrence of natural racial dialogue is the self-assurance
of some that enough progress has been made in countering racism, but this is really just another way of
choosing to ignore that the problem exists. People who ignore the existence of racism have the notion that
they are living in a post-racist society that does not think or operate from a racist script, particularly in a
country that has elected its first African-American president (Wright, Racism: A Difficult Dialogue,
2012). The recurring blatant and brutal acts of racial prejudice that appear in the news on a regular basis
stand to differ, however. The trial of Freddie Gray, presidential candidate Donald Trumps comments
supporting a ban on the entry of Muslims, and Chicago reports of police brutality against black men
(similar to those that have surfaced throughout the country in past months and have incited riots) all
currently going on are just some examples that prove that racism is more present than ever and not going
to be eliminated without sufficient discussion and work put in toward solutions.
Another significantly limiting factor in constructing racial dialogue is peoples timidity towards
inciting it for lack of knowing how to properly communicate with others and address issues. Ive found
that in my own experiences talking about race with others, Ive always been extremely careful about what
Im saying in order to not offend anyone or say something that I dont really mean and will regret. My
sense of privilege also makes me feel guilty and unequipped to be extremely present in a dialogue on race
because Ive never experienced racism to anywhere near the degree that I know members of other races
have. But communication and participation from all ends and groups is essential, and what is unwanted

and counterproductive in dialogues on race is patronizing pity, or people assuming things and
automatically feeling bad for others without fully understanding their situation. The opposite, or not
acknowledging ones own privilege at all, is also a recipe for disaster in dialogue. Princeton student Tal
Fortgang argues that because he has evidence from research of his familys past that disproves his
privilege, he doesnt have to check his privilege, as students tell him to (Fortgang, Checking My
Privilege: Character as the Basis of Privilege, 2014). The fact that hes a Princeton student and has to
actually look into his family history, however, just goes to show that his life isnt that difficult and proves
Peggy McIntoshs point about forms of privilege being often invisible to their carriers.
As for people who are less willing to even attempt to create racial dialogue because of their
prejudice, part of what contributes to this racism is a fundamental misunderstanding or fear. People have a
fear of connecting with others because it has the potential to place them in a state of vulnerability, where
their preconceived notions are likely to be broken down. The solution to this fear and automatic
opposition to hearing new ideas is to allow ourselves to be open to communicating and to actively listen
and share ideas instead of instinctively pitting ourselves against each other out of fear and
misunderstanding. Charles M. Blow describes how, ideally, murders and riots shouldnt be what are
inciting the especial need for dialogue, but at least something is. He outlines what is a strategy for an
organized and effective conversation on race, pointing out that it must be interracial, multidirectional, and
privileges and oppressions must be acknowledged. Data must be presented. Experiences must be
explored. Histories and systems must be laid bare. Biases, fears, stereotype and mistrust must be
examined. Personal as well as societal and cultural responsibility must be taken, he explains
(Blow, Constructing a Conversation on Race, 2014).
The interracial dialogue week at Blair was a unique and highly important experience because it
encouraged communication and connection between a diverse group of students who wouldnt otherwise
be talking to each other. The addition of Tiffany Flowers as a guest speaker was especially constructive
because of her outlining of important, real-life issues and her inspirational action across the country.
Racial discussion groups such as this are the perfect example of the kind of work that can be done
on the smaller community scale, especially when working towards mobilizing and engaging a young and
passionate generation, but it cant end in the classroom. Everyday interactions and the spread of this kind
of ubiquitous communication is hugely important to combatting racism. The barriers that prevent racial
conversation must first be broken down, and productive discussion about race in which many stories and
perspectives are shared must be supported whenever possible.

Works Cited
Blow, Charles M. "Constructing a Conversation on Race." The New York Times. New York Times
Company, 20 Aug. 2014. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/21/opinion/charles-blow-constructing-a-conversation-onrace.html?_r=1>.
Fortgang, Tal. "Checking My Privilege: Character as the Basis of Privilege." The Princeton Tory. 2 Apr.
2014. Web. 8 Dec. 2015. <http://theprincetontory.com/main/checking-my-privilege-character-asthe-basis-of-privilege/>.
McIntosh, Peggy. "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsck." DeAnza College. Web. 8 Dec.
2015.
<https://www.deanza.edu/faculty/lewisjulie/White%20Priviledge%20Unpacking%20the%20Invis
ible%20Knapsack.pdf>.
Wright, Paul G. "Racism: A Difficult Dialogue." Academic Exchange Quarterly. MMXII Author &
Academic Exchange Quarterly, 2012. Web. 8 Dec. 2015.
<http://rapidintellect.com/AEQweb/cho5016.htm>.