Mickey Z. -- World News Trust
I’ve been blessed with a handful of teaching moments lately.
Each of them involved a fellow middle-aged, middle class white male activist boasting about his skill in dealing with the Blue Bloc of law enforcement.
Each of them also involved me posing this question: Do you think things would’ve gone as smoothly if you were black?
Each of them offered me, in addition, the opportunity to share an anecdote from Occupy this Book -- a powerful lesson I learned while taking part in an August 2012 demonstration against Carlos Slim. It was called “Occupy Saks.”
(Quick explanation: Carlos Slim is not a James Bond villain, he is one of the world’s wealthiest humans with a fortune amassed by exploiting the poorest of the poor in his native Mexico. He is also the largest shareholder in Saks Fifth Avenue.)
“Are you a demonstrator?”
After rallying and educating passers-by outside, there were rumors of a flash mob happening inside the store -- which was ringed not only by Saks Fifth Avenue security but also by a particularly large contingent of Blue Bloc mercenaries.
I entered Saks alone, hoping to get some photos of the action inside. All I was doing was walking through the jewelry department, chatting with salesgirls, but I quickly found myself followed by both NYPD and store detectives.
I knew I’d committed no crime -- as is the case with all my Occupy-related activity, for that matter -- but I also knew this fact would not deter the Blue Bloc. So, I stayed calm, enjoyed some air conditioning on a hot day, and began making my way through the eerie silence.
Then, as luck would have it, my “99%” button became unfastened from my bag and dropped to the floor with a loud clang.
I reached down slowly, picked it up, and allowed myself a look around. I was fully surrounded. A uniformed cop screamed at me: “Give me one fuckin’ reason why I shouldn’t take you in right now?”
Without going into specifics, let’s just say I combined a calm demeanor with some fancy verbal footwork and somehow managed to talk myself out of being arrested.
It sure didn’t hurt that as a white man, wearing a sleeveless t-shirt and backwards Yankee cap, I looked a lot more like the angry bro’s surrounding me than “the other” they are trained to fear, loathe, and oppress.
Would I have evaded zip-ties if I were dark-skinned? Yeah, right…
Are you a demonstrator? Why are you in the store? What’s in your bag? What’s your button say? Are you a demonstrator? You know demonstrators are not allowed in here! Don’t bullshit me, I know why you’re here and what you’re up to. Are you a demonstrator?
For a mere 5-10 minutes of my privileged life, the universe granted me an infinitesimal taste of “stop” and a near-taste of “frisk.” I considered myself already pretty sensitive to such rampant repression but nothing inspires deeper comprehension quicker than the cold chill of reality racing up and down your spine.
I would not be stopped, frisked, or arrested that day, but hundreds of others throughout the city could not say the same. (Context: NYPD Stop & Frisk stats)
Privilege? What privilege?
Growing up white within an insidiously white supremacist global culture means -- by definition -- that privilege is virtually invisible to most who possess it. So, before, you tell me how broke you are or share a story about the time a person of color (POC) got promoted “instead” of you, please allow me to present some examples of white privilege from the must-read article, “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” by Peggy McIntosh.
To which I’ll add: I can confidently claim that I do not enjoy white privilege and have most of white friends agree and promptly start talking about (wait for it) “reverse racism.”
Be an Anti-Racist Ally
So, what can a radical, open-minded white person do to become a better ally in the myriad struggles against oppression?
“We need you to listen,” declares poet Alicen Grey.
Yes, step #1: Listen. Stop talking. Really: Stop. Talking. Open your mind, listen, and truly hear what’s being said.
Stay consistent. Being an anti-racist ally is not a part-time venture. Just because you’re surrounded by white friends without a POC in sight doesn’t mean it’s okay to indulge in racist language or jokes -- and it’s also not a green light to stay silent.
Yes, speak up. Call out those who display racism. Trust me, your silence will be taken as a sign of approval or even complicity.
When called out on inappropriate or counterproductive behavior, try something new: Don’t respond from a place of ego. Instead, see it as a chance for growth… a life-changing opportunity to evolve into a more effective activist and sensitive earthling.
It takes no extra time to choose solidarity instead of privilege. The payoff for this transition is not only a richer, more compassionate life for yourself but also, a deeper commitment to collective liberation.
This isn’t about demanding/expecting perfection or purity from yourself or anyone but rather: It’s all about being unafraid to recognize and challenge inconsistencies, contradictions, denial, and hypocrisy.
It’s fundamental, comrades: If we want to live up to labels like activist, radical, or revolutionary, we must do our best -- every minute of every day -- to challenge and reject classism, sexism, racism, homophobia, patriarchy, ageism, ableism, transphobia, body shaming, speciesism, and all other forms of hierarchical privilege.
#shifthappens
***
Mickey Z. is the author of 12 books, most recently Occupy this Book: Mickey Z. on Activism. Until the laws are changed or the power runs out, he can be found on a couple of obscure websites called Facebook and Twitter. Anyone wishing to support his activist efforts can do so by making a donation here.
©WorldNewsTrust.com -- Share and re-post this story. Please include this copyright notice and a link to World News Trust.