The Searcher Who Wants to Give

The typical saying of that when you point a finger, three points back at you? It is indeed timeless.

I once saw a picture in a window, facing the public, saying ”Give the red card to racism!”.

How one could want to do such a thing is another topic. But it inspired this post.

People want to give the red card to racism, but they don’t want to do the hard work of introspection, which could make them realize that perhaps the problem isn’t with those they accuse of “racism”, but rather that they may actually have a valid point.

They want others to completely and unequivocally accept them, but do not want to give an inch of acceptance or understanding to others.

Racism is a two-way street.

It can be experienced, but it can also be applied on and manifested in others by one’s own inappropriate actions, which makes it unbefitting of being called “racism” in the first place.

And see, this is where the problem with the concept of racism takes form.

The word infers that one cannot under any circumstance be racist. It’s always an ”either-or”. So when a person says or does something that falls within the frame of racism, they are immediately judged as such only by that merit. Even though, when their action or word is isolated and considered in its proper context as well as what it is said in connection to, it dawns that perhaps they weren’t actually racist.

This is one reason why I am keen on being cautious about using the word ”racist” or ”racism”. Partly because of what has been mentioned, but partly also because I find that people rarely have a completely invalid reason for stating what they believe to be true. And that the word is an extreme and serious accusation that shouldn’t be taken lightly, as it likewise requires an extreme and serious reason.

That’s why I also do, in fact, understand the statement ”I’m not racist, but…”.

Indeed, it is the same as ”no offense, but…”.

Meaning, even though the statement may appear or come off as racist or offensive (respectively) on the surface, and fall within that frame of reference typically, it is not intended as such, and when considered duly and appropriately; is in fact based upon something valid, which drops it offensive or racist aspect.

It may also mean that one is aware of it’s morally ambiguous nature in relation to racism, or that one actually knows and understands what would make one racist – but despite it, one believes it to be true and in fact not racist. It here therefore serves as a clarification aware of its innocence.

The intention-part above is actually significant. To demonstrate its relevance to racism, I will use the example I presented about offense.

A sentence can be given a totally different meaning when offense is intended, versus when it is not.

Take, for example:

”You are poor”.

When said with an intent of offense, it carries a moral aspect and inherent critique, saying that things aren’t allowed to be.

But when said without an intent of offense, it may mean, ”you are poor. Do you want some money?”. Here, it becomes an offering of help.

Or, ”please, you must consider that you are poor. Take care of your livelihood and how you spend your money”. Here, it becomes a genuine advice.

Both two latter instances are also neutral, merely addressing an actual observed state of being. Which then, in a second step, may be used to also infer a moral assertion.

And likewise, the one it is said to will perceive and judge its meaning differently depending on if they receive it without being offended or while being offended.

So saying ”no offense, but…” has significant value, and indicates the direction of the course of the argument as well as its morality and relationship to offense.

Similarly, saying ”I’m not a racist, but…” can hold the same value. But unfortunately, we have become so alarmist and hypersensitive to these issues that we don’t stop for a moment and consider, but instantly react and ring the bell:

”Oh, you said this, therefore you must be _____!”

No, my friend. View and treat your interactions with others as a trust. We are one human race. Guiding and helping each other along the way.