There are certain words that we have eliminated from our vocabulary at Race2Dinner. And, the reason why is that they were first used to make white people feel less uncomfortable about their continued behaviors that treat others as “less than.” White comfort is not our priority; what we are committed to, is Radical Honesty. One of those words is “microaggressions.” Let me be very clear here, there is nothing micro about talking to, treating, and disrespecting others because they are not white. So, we call it what it is racial aggression.

Add to that list, “white fragility.” Again, an out for white people who refuse to acknowledge the harm that their attitudes, behaviors, and lack of emotional intelligence create for nonwhite people.

I follow @benthecurious on Instagram and appreciate his attempt to start calling “white supremacy” exactly what it is, white aggression or hostility (my word). When we say white supremacy, the majority of white people really don’t relate and fail to internalize it. But, when I say white hostility, there is no question as to what I am referring to. We recognize the hostility to be visceral, recognizable, and undeniable.

Words matter, language matters, let’s start calling a thing a thing. White people have earned our honest feedback of their continued, and past years of white hostility. Let’s give it to them.
“We want people to, No. 1, call a thing a thing. Quit pretending like you don’t see sh#t, and start using your voice and your power to make change. What’s the worst thing that’s gonna happen to you? If you see a white person saying something derogatory or doing something derogatory, and you interrupt it, what’s the worst thing that’s going to happen to you? I mean, really think about it.” -Regina Jackson in New York Magazine / Read Full Article