Interwoven with the cycle of denial of racism, white culture also uses a variety of methods to defend our culture. And of course, we do. From early education to adulthood, we are conditioned to believe in our own exceptionalism while remaining ignorant of other cultures outside of European Colonialism.
As we journey through life, it becomes apparent that this mindset can be harmful not only to others but to ourselves as well. The results are arrogance and ignorance and arrogantly defending our ignorance. In this article, we will delve into the ways in which white culture defends itself, namely through justification, individualism, and prestige, and how these behaviors affect our collective progress.
Let’s again look at affirmative action. In our education system and our information systems we are fed that anyone can make it in this society. All you have to do is buckle down. Life is tough and there are obstacles we just need to overcome. Pause for one moment. This viewpoint can come across as harsh and unsympathetic, leading some to defend it with anger.
Many people who come at me on IG bring passion and anger to their defensiveness. But perhaps this anger stems from a system that challenges people to prove their worth rather than fostering an environment of mutual support and understanding. A system designed to help us enjoy one another and life on the planet.
It really is so simple, yet we are so entangled in this system that presents challenges that we cannot experience the true essences of Life. Throughout our history in order to remain at the top of our class system, we have created even more barriers for other cultures, especially black folks and others who are native to this land, limiting their access to opportunities and support for success. This gives white folks a false sense of superiority. In turn, because we are hell bent on defending our systems, we ignore how it impacts our own struggle.
The Three Main Defenses:
We defend ourselves and the systems in three primary manners, justification, individualism, and prestige.
1. Justification: In defending our culture, some may deflect by pointing out the wrongdoings of other ethnicities. In this case, we choose not to deny our horrific history and practices. Or fears of revenge may drive opposition to repairing past injustices. These lead to defending their stance on affirmative action.
If we do not keep the upper hand, what will happen when other people gain power? They may want to harm us. I acknowledge these fears as real feelings. They are not based on reality. If we intently observe, we will see that most other cultures just want to be left alone to focus on themselves without being harmed. Not reciprocating violence through retribution.
2. Individualism: Our individualistic perspective fosters a belief that we are the center of our universe, leading to feelings of unfair treatment when we feel excluded or restricted. Heck, white folks do not even like when we cannot say the N-word in our favorite rap song. Or that black comedians can make fun of us but it is racist when we do it to them. The denied hypocrisy in this manner of defending our culture is built into the individualistic perspective.
Two other examples of individualistic approaches to defending white culture are: I worked hard for this, or this black executive made it from a hard background, therefore anyone can. As we point out the individual success to defend why we do not need to give “an upper hand”, we ignore that the system is unnecessarily harsh and harmful for no reason other than to hold most of us back.
Joining forces with others who are suppressed, especially because of their skin, would benefit us all. To break free from the cycle of denial and defensiveness, it is essential to embrace interdependence rather than independence. Understanding that the success and well-being of all cultures are interconnected can lead us to reevaluate the impact of our actions on others and the planet.
3. Prestige: The notion of being better than others due to our position of power perpetuates a sense of entitlement. We are presented with ideas that we are the ones making the world better. We are the owners of large business ventures. We are the owners of the inventions that came from our culture. We build buildings and develop industries, and we teach the world to be like us. But most other cultures don’t want to “be better” as we define it. They do not value what we go through to gain wealth the way we do. So, we see aboriginal and indigenous folks as undeserving of participating in the same manner.
If we knew how to measure our creations and practices based on whether they improve or harm the quality of life for us and others, then we would recognize that so much of what we are trained to do for money are truly worthless to life on the planet. They often cause more harm in our own lives. Still too many of us have developed the belief that black and brown folks do not desire to live a quality life that we live and therefore do not deserve to be given the same access. As if when they are accepted into our systems through measures of affirmative action, then we are wasting opportunities that would be given to more qualified white folks.
Embracing Other Ways of Life:
It is true they often do not want to participate in our world. Instead of maintaining a mindset that other cultures should assimilate into ours, we should seek to learn from them and appreciate their unique practices and values. By understanding concepts like “it takes a village to raise a child” or the care for the earth practiced aboriginal and indigenous tribes and villages throughout the planet, we can recognize the benefits of unlearning harmful behaviors and integrating more harmoniously with other cultures. Let us seek to be more of a part of their lifestyle instead of keeping them from being a part of ours. Breaking free from the cycle of denial and defensiveness in white culture requires a deep spiritual reckoning. By acknowledging the harm caused by past and present actions, embracing interdependence, and appreciating the richness of diverse cultures, we can pave the way for a more equitable and compassionate society. It is only through this transformation that we can move beyond the limitations of our own culture and contribute to a world where everyone can thrive.
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