If you’ve listened to our podcast series By Every Measure then you’ve learned a bit about the history and impact of systemic racism. Following the podcast launch, members of the community reached out with lingering thoughts and questions they had. Hosts of the series Tarik Moody and Reggie Jackson answered a few questions and put a few common concerns in perspective.
Here’s a bit on those awkward holiday conversations you hopefully didn’t have to endure this round but might be wondering about how to handle next time.
“Don't get mad at Uncle Bob about the joke. Instead, say ‘Uncle Bob, why is that funny to you? Because it's not really funny to me,'" says Reggie. "'Can you explain to me why you think that's funny?’ Because oftentimes what happens is, when they try to explain themselves they'll trip over themselves and then realize maybe that isn't such a good joke to tell every Thanksgiving.”
Don't get mad at Uncle Bob about the joke. Instead, say ‘Uncle Bob, why is that funny to you? Because it's not really funny to me. Can you explain to me why you think that's funny?’"
- Reggie Jackson
"If you think about color blind, you basically say that you don't see that person for who that person is," Tarik says. "Someone told me, basically, when someone says color blind, you're centering on the person who said it. You're ignoring their background, you ignore their experience and what they’ve gone through. You're saying I don't see color. You’re basically ignoring who they are.”
In this bit, Reggie and Tarik talk about the function of holding spaces for people of color and white people to talk about race.
“Just say you had a project you were working on; you were building some new skyscraper in Milwaukee," says Reggie. "No one would have a problem with all of the engineers getting together in a room to talk about engineering, right? No one would have a problem with all of the architects and getting together in a room and talking about what they do. It's the same thing because there are very specific things within those communities, where people need a space to share without feeling that there are other people in a room who will be doubters.”
To listen to the podcast, check it out here: By Every Measure.