Jul 26 2009
Can You Judge What You’ve Never Experienced
An insightful American Indian saying goes “Do not judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins.” Based on this quote, I am having a hard time understanding why many whites, during this “teachable moment” are expressing so much anger in the blogs, tweets, comments etc.
Since race has reared its ugly head in what is being called a “teachable moment” with the arrest of Louis Gates, CNN has hosted many conversations regarding this matter. Two days ago they did a segment which posed the question “Does Your Doctor Judge You Based On Your Color?”
The consensus, based on several studies found that doctors do indeed show biases when it comes to treatment. In one case it was proven that “African-American cardiac patients were less likely than whites to receive a lifesaving procedure called revascularization, where doctors restore the flow of oxygen to the heart.” It was noted that “all of the patients had Medicare, which covers the costs of revascularization.”
Other studies proved “It’s absolutely proven through studies that a black man and a white man going to the hospital with the same complaint will be treated differently” however these biases did not stop there but included studies indicating that “doctors were significantly more likely to recommend lifesaving drugs when they thought the patient was white than when they thought the patient was black.”
Color was not the only bias shown to patients. Studies also show that doctors can be biased against patients because of their body size see the discussion on weight bias here:
I have to applaud CNN for attempting to open up dialogue regarding something that has been ripping the seams of the American fabric for decades. Even with this open dialogue, and noting the various attitudes and beliefs from both sides of the argument, there are those that still cling to “what is” by throwing insults, accusations and denials.
Statements can be made that speak to a collective realm (applying to a number of individuals taken together ‘in general’) causing those with issues on the subject of racism to take these statements personal rather than to remove the ego they carry with them and view the words objectively.
What amazes me most about this is the reaction of some white American’s and the anger they display when blacks verbalize what they feel or have experienced in white America. The anger I do not understand based on the saying quoted above.
While this incident with Gates has incited heated comments on both sides of the fence, blacks are speaking from their personal experiences while whites are speaking with anger on what someone who has experienced the racism feels - a bit irrational it seems.
Where does this anger come from? Is this anger justified? How can you be angry at someone for expressing their experiences and how those experiences have made them feel when your experiences as a member of the white race have been so very different? How can you sit in judgment of me when you have never lived my life?
Tim Wise, a prominent “white anti-racist” writer has a book out called White Like Me. Wise was a guest speaker on CNN yesterday in their open dialogue on race in America. Tim expressed some of the same concepts I have been forced to write about lately but I was shocked and amazed to hear the words he spoke yesterday based on the words I have been hearing and reading coming from whites as they post their anger filled post and comments across the web.
White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son
A description of the book is as follows with a critique of the book from a black perspective that follows the description.
“In White Like Me, Tim Wise offers a highly personal examination of the ways in which racial privilege shapes the lives of most white Americans, overtly racist or not, to the detriment of people of color, themselves, and society. The book shows the breadth and depth of the phenomenon within institutions such as education, employment, housing, criminal justice, and healthcare. By critically assessing the magnitude of racial privilege and its enormous costs, Wise provides a rich memoir that will inspire activists, educators, or anyone interested in understanding the way that race continues to shape the experiences of people in the U.S. Using stories instead of stale statistics, Wise weaves a narrative that is at once readable and scholarly, analytical and accessible.”
A critique by Kenita Jalivay
“Although I agree with the vast majority of the posts regarding the quality and insight of Wise’s White Like Me, I think that, as a community of readers, teachers, activists and concerned citizens who loathe racial injustice, we must take care not to exalt Wise as THE authority on race and privilege in this country (basing this on another post that used similar language). Many African American scholars and writers - W.E.B. DuBoise, David Walker, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Sonia Sanchez, Gwendolyn Brooks and Amiri Baraka - have been saying the same thing (from the black perspective) that Wise does in his book, and decades BEFORE Wise did. While I applaud Wise’s courage, I think that we shouldn’t fall into another white privilege trap, which is to exalt a white person for a revolutionary work on race, when this same type of revolutionary writing was done by people without privilege years ago. I would hate to think that we can only accept admissions of white privilege from whites, when people of color - who have suffered from it - took risks and challenged racism when the topic was far from vogue (dangerous, actually). There are many great thinkers and writers of color out there; read Wise, but supplement your knowledge from those who are survivors, too.
Peace to my fellow activists of EVERY hue.”
As of late, I have been harassed, called a racist by individuals who have taken one word or phrase and made an issue out of the word or phrase instead of showing any type of understanding of what was basically being said – yet they continue to come back to my post and leave irrational comments and judgments. My suggestion is read a relevant book on the issues of race and then maybe we can talk otherwise spare me the useless words.
And that’s the way I see it!!!!
The Beatles ‘Let It Be’ Poster
