Why White People Need To Wake Up
Before I’m attacked by people accusing me of racism, let me make it perfectly clear to you. I am white. Not just white in skin but white in culture and privilege. Yes I said it. The word spat on by the average white person. PRIVILEGE. We have it, embrace it, use it, get over it. Now that you have removed your comments about how reverse racism is a thing, listen to me very carefully.
It has taken me years to realise this. I’ve lived under a shell. One filled with opportunities and ignorance. I am ashamed to say that I was once part of the problem.
I was born and raised in England. The land meant for all. I have a French mother and a father who is Irish and English. This makes me lucky. So lucky. Every time we’ve gone to the airport, my mother or grandfather (rest his soul) have been stopped for random selections. Why? My grandfather and mother have skin the same as a native middle eastern and carry the horrid stereotypes of the Western world’s ‘Arab’. We made jokes about it, knowing that once they saw the French logo on the passport, the nice white man or woman would usher us through to our flight. No further questions asked.
Growing up, I was graced with the chance to express my mother’s french side through my big brown eyes and round face. I don’t look English but oh hell am I white. No-one battered an eyelid. Yeah, sure, there has been and always be the kid who says that they hate the French for no reason in particular but the worse thing they can do is say that I eat frogs. And yes, i’ve heard every surrendering joke under the sun. However, when my maths teacher compared me to another girl in my class, I presumed she was doing it because we were French, not because we literally looked alike in every way.
Since my grandmother came from a strong Catholic household, I’ve respected the fact that I am to wear a cross. Yet, as I’ve chewed it or held it in my fist as a way to calm myself down or simply out of habit, the worst comment i’ve ever heard is that Jesus wasn’t real or that he was a pervert. I’ve never been told that there was something wrong about carrying my beliefs on my person.
So, when I was opened to the world of Black Lives Matter and reverse racism, I hopped onto the band wagon of All Lives Matter.
Those are the thoughts that come to my mind when I think of reverse racism and All Lives Matter. Why? Because they are so, so out of place. How dare I take away the purpose of Black Lives Matter. How dare I try and make myself into a victim through reverse racism.
White people need to wake up. We need to do it right now. Why?
Because my mother and grandfather were allowed through the airport.
Because I’ve never been compared to someone because we share the same race.
Because I’ve never been attacked for being Christian.
Because I’ve never watched a film without a white person.
Because I’ve never been afraid of the police.
Because I’ve never been worried about speaking my native language.
Because I’ve never been told to go home when I am home.
Because i’ve never been moved away from because of where I’m from.
Because I’ve never been denied an opportunity because of my race.
Because I am so lucky to be white and I didn’t even know it.
If you are a white person in the western world sat at home right now accusing me of being a traitor, liar or manipulator I beg that you look in the mirror and tell yourself why even though you maybe living rough or having a hard life, it will NEVER be because you are white.
Be apart of the change. Don’t add to the problem.
- Your fellow white person
