White chick discovers racism
I'm working on tomorrow's column and having a minor crisis of confidence. I decided to write about what happened Monday at the Sambolas' -- the racist grafitti that vandals sprayed on their building.
The trouble is, I haven't gotten past the inchoate rage I felt when it first happened. I don't have any thoughtful analysis to offer up. I haven't come to any wise conclusions about society. I don't even have a decent laugh line.
The column is my bully pulpit; my shot at reaching thousands of people, maybe one of whom might actually be moved to do something, or to make some sort of difference based on what I write. So, on the one hand, I feel sort of lame about telling such a personal story. I'm worried that it will come off like, "Hey, this racism thing has really gotten out of hand now that it's impacting people I actually care about."
But, on the other hand, what's more important than this?
It's a little strange to be a white woman writing about race, like, somehow, this is not supposed to be "my" issue. My editors, I'm sure, would prefer that I stay in the North Side yuppie role for which I was cast and let Mary Mitchell, who actually knows something about racism in Chicago, cover the topic.
Well, it's a couple hours before deadline and I don't have anything else, so I'm going with it.
Comments
I don't see anything wrong with a "white chick" writing about racist graffiti in Albany Park, which I thought was a more or less stable neighborhood. As a "white dude" who lived in Avondale a long time ago, I can identify with this story, and your anger.
Go for it.
Posted by: finch | January 26, 2006 07:26 PM
I think you've worried a bit unnecessarily about how it "looks" for you to write this article. It was really good--and honest.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 27, 2006 12:22 PM
I think you've worried a bit unnecessarily about how it "looks" for you to write this article. It was really good--and honest.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 27, 2006 12:23 PM
Good writing is good writing. No matter where it comes from.
Today's piece captured a scene and made a vivid and important point
Mary Mitchell does not have the trademark on racism. I would assume your editors natural reaction to this piece was: NICE WORK DEBRA!
Posted by: Roger Wright | January 27, 2006 05:04 PM
Racist graffitti is such a cowardly act. I certainly sympathize with Mr. Sambola, but raise a larger issue here. The Sambola's are fortunate to have escaped the inhumane conditions of Sierra Leone, but millions remain who are not as fortunate. Are we becoming the refugee camp of the world? Why are we taking in people that have been forced from their homeland? What skills do they bring? Education? Illness? Believe me, I have a heart & conscious, but I also have a tax bill thats getting out-of-hand. We should work to change institutions in other countries to allow people the opportunity to remain.
Posted by: TJM | January 29, 2006 09:04 AM
it's good that you attempted to address your feelings in an open and honest style. it's bad that too many people — yourself probably included — view these incidents as isolated events. and it's bad that too many people will not try to solve the root problems.
you're invited to visit a blog that discusses this topic. technically, the blog focuses on issues of diversity and racism in the advertising industry. but it certainly has relevance to the global problems.
feel free to start with the link below. thanks and all the best.
http://multicultclassics.blogspot.com/2006/01/multicultclassics-faq_26.html
Posted by: HighJive | January 29, 2006 10:35 AM
Until white people of conscience overwhelmingly address the stain of racism in a forthright way, and acknowledge the inhumanity of it, it will linger. Being racist or even tolerating it, is inconsistent with any standard of human decency I know of. It's one thing to see it challenged in the circles where you most expect it. It's entirely another to see it challenged from an unexpected angle. More columns like this may encourage people to confront the fact that there is no good reason to be a racist or sympathize with hateful views. If we confront when we see it, we may see a lot less of it and then define it as the utter ignorance it is.
Posted by: Kevin Fitzpatrick | January 31, 2006 10:56 AM