Member-only story
Just Stop It With the New-Age, Hands-Off Approach to Fighting Racism
2021 ushers in a new year of whitewashing social justice
Call me naive, but by the start of 2021, I was still excited and waiting for the next phase of the anti-Black racism rollout and revolutionary initiatives that would call White privilege to the business carpet.
Instead, I saw many businesses and groups proceed straight to Whitewashing the movement. Their sorry and tired attempts to tackle social justice issues and anti-Blackness with milquetoast, middle-class approaches were and are both patronizing and offensive. And much worse — these half attempts at messaging both maintain White supremacy and insulate White privilege and fragility. Needless to say, I am far from impressed and want my bated breath back.
The downward dog, crystals, and aligned chakras will not address racism or convert a racist into a pillar for social justice.
While researching university and college-sponsored diversity talks and events for my students, I noticed a common trend: Whiteness. In your face, undeniable, unapologetic Whiteness — oozing from events and dialogue that were supposedly created to promote equity and inclusion. Some of these organized…
