White guy relaying a story, of his public holiday experience in Camps Bay in December, to a mutual white friend. I’m in earshot: “it was lovely but I just couldn’t get over how THEY came in. I mean THEY literally came here by the taxi load!” And THEY left bottles everywhere!
My friend is visibly embarrassed, tries to change the conversation numerous times. I find out afterwards that while he is going on ad nauseam about THOSE PEOPLE (and I start counting how many times THEY/THEM/THOSE is used) she’s secretly praying that I don’t explode
Meanwhile, I am indeed fuming; I’m about to say something but also deciding whether I should take out my phone and record this idiot’s rant, whether/not I should correct him or on this occasion let it go—I’m tired, it’s been a long month, a long year of calling people to task.
I don’t do anything....but here’s the thing. It doesn’t make me feel better. I can’t stop thinking about it and the arrogance, ignorance and audacity of the bigot. I said nothing for my own sanity at the time but I now see the error in that decision.
And I think this is what many of you ‘I’m not a racist’ white folk don’t truly understand. This ish is taxing man! It’s mentally draining. To keep correcting you, your friends, your family...is not solely OUR responsibility. Stop asking us to lay down the race card.
Our people must use our mental capacity to think our way out of generational injustice AND deal with your ingrained prejudice and arrogance. We don’t tarnish all of you with the same brush but c’mon man if you’re really not racist start correcting others with us....
I think you’ll soon realize how frequently you have to do it! Last year alone a lady told me not to drive in a lane in Bryanston; when I corrected her she told me “I live here and this is not eldroradopark”🙄
In 2020, for us to grow as a nation I’m challenging more of my white friends to speak out against the nonsense they hear instead of whining and moaning that ‘they/their parents also worked hard’ or whatever other excuse they come up with.
