I'm talking about those people who want to know the words and the theory but don't want to change their behaviors.
Yes. I often think a lot of the basic questions (that are easily googleable or even stuff that could be answered if one would just click on a link and read) that get asked are to show one's support or interest in being an anti-racist person, without going any further than that. And perhaps related to this, it's like some people, even if they do read what's out there, don't make the connection between what they're taking in and how it possibly applies to them -- or they get mightily offended when it's pointed out that, hey, you're sort of doing the same thing/please stop being so clueless or if you refuse to educate them personally through every step of the process. For people who say POCs or white allies shouldn't get so offended (or look for stuff to be offended about) or be offensive (eg, pointing out someone's cluelessness, however politely or subtly), they can sure hold on to their feelings of anger and offense.
Basically, what I think it boils down to is if a POC has to be very careful about what they say or how they point out someone's ignorance or else the other person isn't going to listen or work on being anti-racist... then they weren't going to be an ally in the first place. Or yet -- hope springs eternal and all that, but I don't know that all the hand-holding in the world is going to get another person to that point until they actually sit with their discomfort for a bit, which then hopefully leads to change to be more aware of privilege and racism and how it affects them (I've also seen some white people say they're not participating in race discussions -- but silence has an effect too; like it or not, they're part of the discussion already, by nature of being part of the human condition, even if they're not saying anything, out of fear, apathy, disinterest, whatever) and others.
no subject
Yes. I often think a lot of the basic questions (that are easily googleable or even stuff that could be answered if one would just click on a link and read) that get asked are to show one's support or interest in being an anti-racist person, without going any further than that. And perhaps related to this, it's like some people, even if they do read what's out there, don't make the connection between what they're taking in and how it possibly applies to them -- or they get mightily offended when it's pointed out that, hey, you're sort of doing the same thing/please stop being so clueless or if you refuse to educate them personally through every step of the process. For people who say POCs or white allies shouldn't get so offended (or look for stuff to be offended about) or be offensive (eg, pointing out someone's cluelessness, however politely or subtly), they can sure hold on to their feelings of anger and offense.
Basically, what I think it boils down to is if a POC has to be very careful about what they say or how they point out someone's ignorance or else the other person isn't going to listen or work on being anti-racist... then they weren't going to be an ally in the first place. Or yet -- hope springs eternal and all that, but I don't know that all the hand-holding in the world is going to get another person to that point until they actually sit with their discomfort for a bit, which then hopefully leads to change to be more aware of privilege and racism and how it affects them (I've also seen some white people say they're not participating in race discussions -- but silence has an effect too; like it or not, they're part of the discussion already, by nature of being part of the human condition, even if they're not saying anything, out of fear, apathy, disinterest, whatever) and others.