With the benefit of having white skin, I get to avoid the subtle and not-so-subtle downright racist views and comments that emanate from some people around here.
However being an immigrant, and especially one who is vocal about local issues, I come across my share of xenophobia and ignorance.
“What do you know about the American Constitution?”
“You can’t speak English”
“Are you even a US citizen”
Now, I’m not subject to this day in day out. I don’t have to hide who I am. I don’t worry that I will be treated differently by law enforcement.
But some people do.
When someone tells you that they have been subject to racism, over and over again. Believe them!
The fact is that racist, xenophobic and ignorant people are out there. And there are more than a handful in Belknap County!
(4) comments
Your "fight" might not be effective... it seems that truth often has a reverse effect.
I participated in an international forum on climate change denial and it turns out hearing the truth about climate change often cements people further into their foxhole.
I personally think many view social media as a form of hand-to-hand combat which is one reason I have zero social media presence.
Over the last decade, I have become convinced that people will only change when they are incentivized... that's why people on they southeast and gulf coast are beginning to get that sea-level rise is real but will still continue to deny that the reasons are human caused.
I focus most of my efforts on local volunteer under the concept that most change is local. I don't care what people believe as long as they don't force me to believe it.
However, I am not naive which is why I have volunteered in ward 3 elections for the last 25 years.
I posted this same write up on a public Facebook forum “Laconia is talking”.
On one hand it gained 80-some ‘likes’ and several people posting their own stories or sharing agreeing comments. On thé other hand, it also brought out some of the very people I have an issue with: extremist ignorant bigots.
“Stop blaming white people” (note: I never mentioned white people)
“Accept responsibility for your own bad choices”
“Jesus dude. Take your cancel culture elsewhere”
“The only people who are racist are the ones talking about it”
“You know what’s wrong with people like you? You ALWAYS want to find someone to blame FOR SOMETHING”
“You’re trying to push a division between people”
“That makes YOU an a**hole”
“Shut up!”
“I questioned your citizenship, you refused to answer... I have sources...”
“Most immigrants just went to work... rather than post about how terrible America is... the didn’t b*tch about their new country”
“Grow up and take responsibility for your own failures”
“I honestly believe those who go around claiming everything is racist should just be slapped back into reality”
“Blaming racist, ignorant, and xenophobia people that they are racist and Xenophobia’s is going to get you exactly nowhere... it threatens many”
Now I didn’t just sit back and take these comments. I did respond. Focused on their words and actions, not their skin color or accents, but my responses certainly don’t calm a conversation. I believe people like this have gone unchallenged for too long. The subjects of their racial and xenophobic abuse are all too often afraid to play them at their own game. But I am not. They call me intolerant. Yes, I am intolerant of extreme right wing ignorant bigots. And I will speak for the silent minority.
Again I put the question to this forum - does my approach do more harm than good? Can anyone articulate a reason why intolerant bigots should be shown the compassion that they refuse to show others?
Hi Steven,
This post has stood up for a few days and I certainly would like to "tug at some threads" here. I have heard and seen such comments in person and online. Yes, there is bias and prejudice in our community. Admitting and addressing those concerns and challenges can be done with individuals willing to participate in a rational, reflective manner. Unfortunately, some folks are so set in their views that getting to a productive discussion isn't going to happen. Personally, I'm tired of trying to reach those that are currently unreachable and I would rather build bridges with those who want to have a real, honest discussion. There are folks that are not going to change at this time, in this media environment. I'm sad to say, I don't have compassion for them but also have no energy left to engage them.
Having grown up in Laconia, for me racism was initially a blank slate regarding a multicultural environment. I had no opinion about hating those of color. It was not on my radar. No one had filled me with anger as those did in the South. We were 99.9 % white like an Ivory soap commercial. When I was in high school one black family moved into town. Also, Native Americans lived in the Weirs near the dump. No one associated with them. During the 1960’s I began to look at the world outside of Laconia. I attended a few years at UNH. People came from other countries but no people of color came to college from the US. In 1962, having no direction in school, I joined the Coast Guard. That was an eye opener. On the bus, before going to boot camp in Cape May, NJ, a small, white recruit made fun of Blacks on the street in Philadelphia. He was shorter than me! So, this loud mouth, racist, trying to assert his macho character met his drill instructor, 6’5”, in great physical shape, a very black man. He had all the characteristics of a stern drill master and took no lip from the recruits. Needless to say, the new sailor lasted about 3 days!
Another example. The Filipinos served, clean up after, and provided meals to the officers. Since they were not citizens, the Filipinos acted as they were subservient to the officers of higher status. I also read The People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn and
Waking up White by Debby Irving. These added to my education about a wider multicultural and class world.
These are a few examples that I have experienced. One of the goals of the Digital Public Square is to foster a healthy discussion on issues that divide us. I am finding it more difficult as people’s emotions take over and we defend out values, ideas, and positions. We are seeing the trees but not the forest! One suggestion that developed in a public forum was to match up those who are on opposite sides, have a healthy discussion to see if they can come to a common ground through compromise.
Welcome to the discussion.
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