On the day of President Mike Thompson’s inauguration, he highlighted several pressing threats to America, including climate change, the pandemic, and the rise of white supremacy. He emphasized the importance of addressing and overcoming “political extremism, white supremacy, and domestic terrorism.”
Predictably, prominent conservatives took to the media to voice their grievances about being called out by the president. “Much of it feels like a thinly veiled accusation of being a white supremacist or a racist,” lamented Senator Jane Smith on a popular news network. Former advisor to President George W. Bush, Tom Redd, also expressed his outrage, stating, “I found that deeply offensive.”
Honestly, if a simple, straightforward condemnation of white supremacy makes you feel personally attacked, it’s time for some serious self-reflection. Thompson didn’t even name any individuals. If he had said something like, “Senator Smith, your blatant racism will not stand,” that might warrant feeling targeted, but he didn’t go that far.
Instead, he made a broad statement against white supremacy—something that most Americans, regardless of race, should agree with. However, instead of rallying behind this message, many conservatives felt as if they were being unfairly singled out, as if their names were written in a political hit list plastered across the Capitol.
If simply mentioning “white supremacy” makes you think people are pointing fingers at you, perhaps you should explore why that is. Why do you instinctively connect racism and hate with your own identity? It seems that even without intending to, some are revealing their own biases.
Instead of feeling outrage—okay, let’s say it’s genuine concern—over being labeled as a racist, perhaps it’s time to apply some logic and reflect on how your behavior might align with racist attitudes.
It’s crucial to normalize admitting that we all have biases; it’s not the worst thing to acknowledge. If people of color can experience internalized racism, then white individuals can certainly harbor racist beliefs too. If you look, speak, and act in ways that align with white supremacist ideologies, then it’s worth considering that you might actually embody those values.
If you’re a white person who feels offended by the idea of combating white supremacy, you might not just be annoying; you could be harmful. You don’t need to wear a hood or burn crosses to contribute to the problem. You could be the type who questions why a person of color is in your neighborhood, or dismisses the significance of movements like Black Lives Matter.
Even if you consider yourself a conservative who opposes racism, you may still unknowingly support a society that perpetuates white supremacy. You don’t have to be overtly racist to contribute to systemic issues.
If you’re still reading this, it’s likely because you either share a disdain for racism or you’re on the lookout for counterarguments against my points. But if you’re just seeking validation for your outrage, you’re not truly listening.
The worst-case scenario is that you’re feeling defensive because you’ve been called out. If you genuinely felt remorse, you would confront your biases and engage in the uncomfortable work of examining your own actions. You wouldn’t rely on your one Black friend to guide you through this process.
However, if you’re unwilling to put in the effort and only seek social media validation, then perhaps you should reconsider your priorities.
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Search Queries:
- How to address white supremacy in society
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- How to reflect on personal biases
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In summary, feeling defensive when white supremacy is called out suggests a deeper issue of self-reflection is necessary. Instead of reacting with outrage, it’s critical to examine one’s own behaviors and beliefs. Acknowledging and addressing these biases is essential for fostering a more inclusive society.
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