#RaisingAwareness

For a while now I've been using the hashtag #RaisingAwareness on FB when posting about race. I've chosen this phrase because I truly believe - and perhaps naively - that one of the biggest obstacles to progress on race relations is white people's general ignorance of African-American perspectives. And I also think this is FIRST a logical consequence of the disparity in numbers - i.e., not all white people can live in environments that are majority black. I'm quick to add, however, that this phenomenon makes it that much easier not to try to do so - and that is a moral failure.

I have been exceedingly blessed with a number of opportunities to engage with brothers and sisters in their communities. That doesn't make me better, or an expert. But it has sharpened my awareness of white people's general *lack* of awareness. And the firehose of today's media makes it so very, very easy to completely surround oneself with just one "flavor"' of culture - and even not be completely aware of what one is doing. As a result of this, we (whites) have to be intentional and deliberate about seeing the lives of our black brothers and sisters, and hearing their voices. Because unless we CHOOSE too make ourselves aware, then we will remain shamefully ignorant.

Lastly, a phrase occurred to me a few days ago and I've been wondering whether or not I should speak it.  Today - partly in response to viewing this woman's video (below) - I've decided to speak it.  I suspect many whites today shrink from engaging issues of race because they're afraid of having their "noses rubbed in it."  Well, I've come to believe that we NEED to have our noses rubbed in it.  We CANNOT remain at a comfortable remove and hope or expect (or pretend) to make any forward progress.  The only way we will begin to know the lives of our black brothers and sisters is to have our noses rubbed in it.  Only when our noses are rubbed in it will we perhaps experience and appreciate - for a fleeting moment - the putrid, hateful, demeaning, soul-sucking, spirit-annihilating, and systemic degradation, injustice, violence and contempt that fills every moment of their lives. 

Maybe then our awareness will have been sufficiently raised.  And maybe then - maybe - we will be as outraged as they are.

https://www.facebook.com/barefootfour/videos/3005927386190146/?multi_permalinks=3009304605823444&notif_id=1591114453618527&notif_t=group_highlights