Are you Anti-Racist or Non- Racist? The difference is important!
Marlon James explains the difference.
I grew up in the 80's and my political views were considered by most of my family as radical. Family get togethers were never pleasant, often openly hostile. In the early 80’s the justification for apartheid was blatantly racist.
As the decade hurtled towards an end, it was plain to see that the Apartheid government, and all those who supported it, through direct action or inaction, where losing the battle, racist attitudes in my family hardened. It was their impotent last stand.
Throw yourself forward to the first years post 1994! Dinner conversations had become polite. So where had all these hardened racists gone. Had they undergone a damascus moment, and committed themselves to the new project of a non-racial society, Had they confronted their complicity, and engaged in some symbolic confession. No! The new government, as epitomised by Nelson Mandela, provided a get free card. Most threw themselves into the idea of the rainbow nation, embracing the narrative.
They praised the intelligence, wisdom and leadership of Nelson. This admiration was veiled racism- an intelligent, sensible, compassionate black man, wow! But for most it was business as usual. Forgiveness had been granted, so let's all move forward, racism is dead, more champagne everyone!
But we were not all moving forward together. Some of us were on the highway in fast cars, smiling and laughing all the way to the bank. Others on the pavement, struggling against strong winds, choking back the dust these highway types kicked up. Others were so far away from that highway, that it was only a dream, a dream that kept on getting fainter and fainter.
What was missing was action! Action informed by a desire to see radical change. By the desire to create the material conditions so that we could get as many people as possible on to that highway of success- or at least into the slow lane of social and economic justice- a living wage would be nice, education perhaps, and the right to see and access a doctor now and then.
It was the Rainbow Nation myth. It allowed most people to progress, even prosper, without ever really changing their behaviour. Cocktail parties and sporting events became more mixed. We felt non-racist, rainbow even! But we never engaged with being anti-racist. We stopped talking about race in a meaningful way, we declared the war over! We did not break the back of beast- we just tried to paint it pretty colours.
As time progressed, when the sun set, old and new racists emerged, individual and institutional. As much as they were well disguised, costumed, even wonderful to look at in their rainbow attire, their words and actions started to betray them. A slip here, a comment there.
When this happened, what did everyone else do, or say? This is the essence of what Marlon James is saying. To realise non-racialism, action is required, we need to be anti-racist. Watch this video and share.
In an an excellent article by Gordon Hodson in Psychology Today he states:
"But simply being non-racist is not enough. As extremely social beings, social norms matter a great deal to us. Standing on the sidelines communicates a message to bullies and racists and homophobes that their actions are not serious enough to warrant a response'
Time to stand up!