By Hakima SmithStone
As a black woman who attends a PWI (predominantly white institution) I have found that the smallest things I do, the things I say and the things I wear, can and usually are interpreted as political acts. If I choose to wear my hair naturally in an afro people assume I’m trying to make a statement, if I say anything in a class where I’m the only non-white person it is taken politically no matter what I say, and the kinds of clothes I wear are also assumed to be some kind of statement. As black people traversing white spaces, which are almost everywhere, our bodies are literally taken as sights of political warfare. We are forced into roles we may not want. We are forced into political acts even when we are tired and simply trying to be students or just young people. I have been forced to speak on behalf of all black people, I have had to assume leadership roles even when I didn’t want to and I’ve had to call people out because no one else would.
I have witnessed the exact opposite to be true when it comes to my white counterparts and friends. This fact isn’t new and it is very easy to see, my white friends are taken as individuals who represent themselves, their own aesthetic and personality. They don’t represent the group or a political stance. White people for the most part simply get to be themselves in the way they choose to be. Of course everything black people do is inherently political in this country because everything is racialized and everything works differently for us. But shouldn’t white people assume the role of those charged with dismantling this racialized country? White people need to understand everything they do is political as well, and ask themselves what is it they do that might be racist. White people; this means thinking before you speak, no matter who you are around and especially when only white people are around. This means speaking about race everyday, to friends, family, at school and in the work place. This means thinking about your actions as a white person in every way no matter how minute, especially keeping in mind the people you surround yourself with. White people should always assume what they are doing and saying is political and maybe even racist. For example, only having white friends and never speaking about race unless you’r posting on instagram, or letting a relative say or do something racist without repercussion or even the classes you’re taking. It is time for white people to stop casually causing violence because they assume they aren’t apart of the problem or conversation, when in fact white people are the majority and they are the ones benefiting from this system. White people should always be talking and thinking about being white, because racism is a white problem and a white creation that they need to take part in dismantling. The political climate we are in right now is because of white people and that means all white people. Voting in this upcoming election and posting about black lives matter is not enough, it is time for white people to take charge and to take responsibility for where we are as a country. Being liberal and not “problematic” is not enough. Living as a white person is a political act and some would argue it is a violent act. All white people need to acknowledge this and live by this because no president or political leader is enough. It’s time white people actively push themselves and other white people to live politically so that BIPOC don’t have to do all of the work. We are tired of surviving in this country alone, fighting everyday gets tiring especially when we receive no recognition and no help. I push all white people to understand and embrace living politically, and to do it whole heartedly all of the time no matter where you are.
Art by Hakima SmithStone