Thread by @rohadi

Here's why Tory MP Michael Cooper should be ashamed of himself.

A primer on systemic racism for white people (and everyone else).

cbc.ca/news/politics/…

#cdnpoli #race #racism #terrorism

1/

The parliamentary committee discussing online hate invited a witness to speak. The dynamics of the relationship is necessary for context. The witness came with vulnerability, representing a marginalized people group, to discuss hate & racism.

/2

The witness connected dots btwn online conservative commentators & the NZ terrorist shooter, citing the former as a source that radicalized the latter.

Cooper vehemently opposed the "link [btwn] conservatism with violent extremist attacks."

Here's why he's right and wrong.

/3

It has to do with the difference between systematic and systemic racism.

White people think that racism doesn't exist because they aren't a racist. So long as we don't see the Klan walking in the streets racism is gone.

But any woke POC would tell you that's false.

/4

Systematic racism is racism that's overt and intentional. It's what we can see clearly on the streets and in print. Cooper is right, conservatism as he describes doesn't appear to be intentionally racist.

But that doesn't matter.

/5

In order for racism to work with mass effectiveness it has to be INVISIBLE. In fact, that's exactly how it works in Canada.

Systemic racism is the unintentional form of racism at work. In Canada, it is a SYSTEM that undergirds the ENTIRE function of our country.

/6

When I decry WHITE SUPREMACY, I'm not saying white people are white supremaCISTS, but that we ALL participate in upholding white supreMACY--the invisible system operating to uphold certain ideals in politics, laws, economies, religion, and culture.

/7

Cooper's reaction is based on a belief his brand of conservatism is somehow neutral. That his worldview couldn't possibly be predicated on white supremacist ideology because he, and those around him, don't commit systematic acts of racism.

/8

#cdnpoli

And that might be true, but it's only half of the story. But just b/c you don't SEE or DO racist things doesn't mean you're neutral, nor does it mean you aren't an ACTIVE participant in a dominating system.

The dominant "Canadian" experience is not ubiquitous b/c...

/9

That experience is rooted in WHITENESS. That means how white Canadians view the world is NOT the experience for minorities. Furthermore, how white Canadians understand the world is not the RIGHT way nor the NEUTRAL way. It's the DOMINANT & invisible way.

/10

#cdnpoli

So when Cooper rages on any notion his foundation of whiteness contributes to terrorism, he's ignorant of the violence perpetuated by systemic white supremacy (of which he's the primary benefactor), blinded by his own privileged worldview, &

/11

#cdnpoli

used his position of power as a white male legislator to domineer over a marginalized person.

He was simultaneously unaware of all 3 as reached to preserve the power structures he so enjoys.

(Note, replace conservatism with liberalism, same same in this context.)

#cdnpoli

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