It’s surreal to watch the cases of police brutality because both in Finland and the Czech Republic the police use force as the last resource. They’re not as armed and their training focuses mostly on peaceful response, whereas in the US it seems to be the opposite. I can’t help but think that the fact that in both countries (CZ, FIN) getting very accessible healthcare and education without accumulating huge debt makes a big difference in society as a whole. Of course I’m aware of the very different historical background.

What’s been baffling to me how the narrative around police brutality and related racism has changed. It seems to be getting pretty divisive. For example I can’t really grasp why the term white supremacy is now being used to describe all whites, when previously it was reserved for groups supporting ultranationalist or fascist doctrines. I don’t find it helping the civic discourse. It shuts people down.

Also the idea that if a white person has something to say about racism, it’s used as a proof. Then it seems ironic that books like White Fragility are subtitled Why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism. Actually it’s not hard, it’s only shut down very quickly if you don’t talk about it in a certain manner. Almost any reaction is viewed as confirmation of bias. It’s like a circular trap.

So on one hand we hear about the need to have difficult conversations and on the other it’s basically “shut up, you white racist, check your privilege” etc. We’re resurrecting the idea of original sin and making broad generalizations about people based purely on their colour or other immutable characteristics. Everything is viewed through the lens of race and we’re told to look for it within endlessly and if we cannot find it, we just must look deeper. It almost seems as if some people want us to be racist or that the US is the worst country to live in. I don’t know why so many immigrants and refugees would like to enter such a place.

Then comes the never-ending shame for whatever history our colour happens to be part of as if there were no other cultures engaging in slavery for hundreds of years. Collective guilt/guilt by association everywhere you look.

Humans are flawed for sure, we have prejudices and there is inequality in the world. Humans are also complex and our relationships and interactions are not defined purely by race and power.

I’m wondering how you’ve personally oppressed your family and friends. I’ve noticed that the word oppression is being used so loosely nowadays to the point where it is so vague its original meaning is lost. Throughout history the term has been used to express prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority, subjugating by cruelty or force. Now when you google oppression it’s paired with agism, ableism, even heterosexism, adultism.

When these terms that people used to almost intuitively understand become so broad and vague, it doesn’t help. It just confuses and discourages people, including people who’ve been on the same side all along.

I understand the sense of urgency in the light of police brutality events that have plagued the US for a long time. There’s definitely a need to reform the police force and perhaps also the justice system.

It’s become clear however that this movement is no longer about the original issues. A lot of the talk about dismantling, deplatforming, cancelling, removing, shutting down, erasing history seems to people from former Eastern block very familiar and unfortunately very totalitarian.

You must confess white guilt to prove your innocence and allyship. The socialist experiments of the past were all done in the name of equity and better world for everyone. Somehow despite their initial appeal and horrendous/murderous failures they still pop up in various forms. The endless talk of oppression, hierarchy and how all needs to be dismantled is very reminiscent of these ideologies. History books were rewritten and definitions redefined in the name of justice, kind of like we see today.

Racism is being redefined so broadly that you can really see it everywhere and it leads to viewing everything through a very depressing and narrow perspective. Is it helpful that we’re all suspicious of each other, pointing out colour as if it defined everything about us? I think we’ve come a long way and live in very liberal and tolerant societies and we should recognize that there’s been immense progress.

Anyway, I think it’s worth being alert so that this originally noble cause doesn’t turn our societies into some Orwellian nightmare. We need to be able to have diverse opinions, thoughts and ongoing dialogue because when dialogue stops, violence creeps in. If we can keep talking openly without public shaming, labelling and silencing different opinions, there’s hope.

Is this what discussion has come to? First pointing out somebody’s colour to devalue what they have to say? Where have we seen that before I wonder. There’s no denying that there’s corruption and bias in the world, but if you really think that there’s a systemic attempt to eliminate black race in the US, perhaps you should read some statistics and listen to black people who don’t share this world view. There are plenty. You’re really making it seem like the US is the new Nazi Germany.
I’m linking some different viewpoints on systemic racism from black people to illustrate this is not as straightforward as it’s often presented:
Coleman Hughes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBWJC7LWq7I
Jackhary Jackson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2ARJdlvowk
Brandon Tatum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88-dV9K_cHE
John McWhorter, Glenn Loury https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DKLuANQ4QQ

Hi Sue,
I highly recommend you watch the Ava DuVernay documentary The 13th. I’m linking it here.

whoopsie sue — your whiteness is showing. To think the US government, or US city’s police have not been molded into eliminating the black race you need to be a better person and history professor…. I truly hope you take the time to look at what is going on in this country and see that there is a systemic issue of race. Live in understand & leave in love.

Thank you for all the work and obvious thoughtfulness you are putting into the process of becoming a true ALLY! This past week has truly been painful and horrifying as a POC. I am doing a lot of soul searching and checking my own privilege as I have not struggled in any of the ways that we are seeing so prominently now. It’s a gut punch, for sure. And yet, I feel HOPEFUL. I feel as though we have turned a corner. Real and meaningful change is FINALLY in sight – you can feel it’s electric charge in the air…

It’s never too late for change and to educate yourself. I very much appreciate your vulnerability and transparency in doing so. This is not easy, and nor should it be. I read a wonderful and uplifting true story this evening that truly solidified that for me and will share a link here – please read the entire thread:

https://mobile.twitter.com/KennyDeForest/status/1268288525234876416

Don’t be discouraged on your journey. Keep doing the work and keep pushing forward, despite any negativity and criticism from any direction. Let your past actions or perceived inactions rest in the past – you are part of the solution now. And that is what truly matters.

I wish you and your beautiful children (and future allies!) love, health, and wealth. Best wishes, my friend!