Complicit racism is certainly nothing new. However, the increasing desire among organizations to become more anti-racist seems to leave a lot of white people wondering – have I been complicit in racism?
The short answer is that if you are white – then yes, you most certainly have been complicit. So with that said, let’s take a look at four common misunderstandings about complicit racism:
1. Complicit racism is not just being silent.
Complicit racism means more than just failing to speak up for (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) BIPOC folks.
When it comes to racism, there unfortunately is no neutral ground. And when it comes to whiteness itself, complicit racism is the status quo. In most cases, our complicity is simply going about our lives not doing anything out of the ordinary. In fact, complicit racism is normal and even mundane in most of our lives.
By design, the systems that we have created in America – including education, politics, and criminal justice – are inherently racist. In allowing the structures and institutions that are currently in place to continue operating as they are, we are automatically complicit in racism.
2. Not only white people are complicit
Internalized oppression is an unfortunate (as well as deliberate) byproduct of how racism was designed in America. Consequently, many BIPOC folks have been conditioned into the same oppressive beliefs and attitudes.
This is certainly not to say that People of Color are at fault, or in responsible for the current state of our country. However, because supremacy culture permeates our society (e.g. rugged individualism, paternalism, etc.) People of Color can also be complicit in upholding the status quo, perpetuating stereotypes, and even reinforcing oppressive practices.
3. Complicit racism does not automatically make you a bad person
Simply being complicit in racism does not make you bad – it usually means that you are operating in default mode.
Complicit racism is the “operating system” built into whiteness itself. We have been socialized and conditioned to see ourselves as “different.” In order for the systems that are in place to continue to benefit us, we have been trained not to recognize our own biases, prejudices, and fears about non-white Americans.
Pretending that we don’t have a racist bone in our body actually works against dismantling racism within. It allows us to remain in denial and go about our lives believing that we are not in any way perpetuating harm.
In fact, for many of us – our naturally tendency to remain in a bubble further reinforces the problem. The truth is, shopping only at high-end grocery stores, living in homogenous neighborhoods, or having our children attend elite private schools actually reinforces our perception of what “normal” should look and feel like.
4. Complicit racism is not subtle in its impact
Unfortunately, most of us are used to witnessing overt acts of racism, bigotry, and xenophobia. As a result, we often fail to recognize our own part in perpetuating the problem. When it comes to racial oppression, complicit racism is one of the most powerful and defining forces of racism in America.
Despite it’s often subtle nature, it hold a tremendous amount of influence over how most systems, structures, and institutions currently operate in our best interests.
Complicit racism is comparable to contaminated water. While the problem may not be visible, the effects are profound and can cause entire communities to collapse. This metaphor likely hits too close to home for some.
Ultimately, we cannot rely solely upon external Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts to overcome racism and systems of oppression. The most important part of the work has to happen from within. We must begin to look at the unpleasant parts of ourselves, learn to build empathy and compassion for people outside of our own community, and recognize that we are all complicit in perpetuating racism.
