Thread on a wild yet not uncommon exchange today. I share as an anecdote of how embedded racism is in our society & how close it's tied to economics
A white guy named "Bill" age ~60 says to, "Where are you *from* from?"
Me: [sigh] I'm from Pakistan. [I go back to my phone]
Bill: Pakistan? What do you do for a living?
Me: Civil rights lawyer
Bill: I'm a lawyer too! But I stay away from race & women stuff. Last thing I need is to be called racist or accused of sexual harassment
Me: Huh?
/1
Bill: So Pakistani? I'm a landlord too. Can I tell you a story about what my Indian tenant did to me?
Me: I don't need to kno—
Bill: So I raise her rent & she won't renew. So I tell her I have to bring in people to see the apt. But every time I'd bring a prospective tenant, she'd invite her Black friends to the apt.
Me: Uhh ok?
Bill: Don't you get it? No one wants to rent a place w/Black people around.
Me: Wait, I'm sorry, what?
Bill: Can you believe it? She did that on purpose!
Me:😳
/2
Me: Yeah, Bill. That's pretty racist. In fact, that's the definition of racism.
Bill: Oh no I'm not racist. The prospective tenants might be. But—
Me: You can probably stop talking. I'm good.
Bill: I need to pay my bills. Who cares if they're racist?
[He Kept Talking]
Bill: I can't be racist. I've dated Black women.
Me: Bill you should really stop. This dialogue doesn't need to go on.
Bill: But how can I convince you I'm not racist?
Me: You do not have to worry about me.
IN CLOSING
/3
4 lessons I want to point out:
First, he didn't see himself as racist b/c he "dated Black women"
•LESSON 1: Proximity to race isn't exemption from being racist
Second, he didn't mind racist tenants b/c it paid his bills
•LESSON 2: Financial power structures built on white supremacy perpetuate white supremacy
Third, he felt like he was the victim
•LESSON 3: Racists in power are used to privilege their entire lives, so equality feels like oppression
/4
Fourth, he desperately needed my validation & was upset I wouldn't offer it
•LESSON 4: It's not enough to be not racist, we must be anti-racist (Angela Davis)
Bill finally left feeling he'd been wronged & upset I wouldn't empathize.
This was an anecdote—but imagine this shameless racism played out across 50 states, hundreds of years, millions of housing units? That's systemic.
The fight for justice & equal access is ongoing. Stay active, stay engaged, and always speak truth & justice.
5/5
I struggle with the FROM from thing. I mean, all 4 of my GPs (& some of their oldest kids) were born in Sweden. My parents were born in MN, USA, as was I. But it never bothers me to be asked where I'm FROM from, except if I were ever asked by a Native American, I'd feel a bit ashamed my grandparents didn't stay TF where they were.
Always been interested in where others' ancestral journey routed through, & I appreciate their pride in same.
But I'm a dick if I ask.
I've learned not to ask. It's just that it can be difficult to grok that some rules are just because they're rules, and others are more intuitive. "How would you feel if YOU were asked?" I'd be fine. Wouldn't bother me. Would never cross my mind that it could bother me.
Which, of course, is white privilege. And frustrating to have JUST started to grasp how also Dunning-Krueger these things are.
Destined to fail. Trying anyway.
@cepaea @kelvin0mql @QasimRashid
Not necessarily, in my opinion. Some people could be uncomfortable, and others might be fine with it. Depends a lot on how you ask. If you feel comfortable asking, and you are observant to their social cues, then I think it’s OK.
Qasim Rashid, Esq.
Roberta Millstein 🌎🌱🐩🏊🏼♀
Kelvin n0mql EN35ld
Paul Stone