One of the reasons racism is persistent is because most racists would swear on their engraved bibles that they’re the least racist person you’ll ever meet. This racist loves everyone with the love of the Lord. Greets everyone with Jesus joy. Has been philanthropic for decades.
This is not your hood-wearing, cross burning racist. They would find such vulgarity appalling. Wouldn’t be caught alive or dead fraternizing with a klansman, or a nazi enthusiast or a member of the aryan brotherhood or a professed white supremacist or white nationalist.
This racist would be aghast, clutch pearls at even the inference of an association with such unsavory disreputable people and organizations. And their giving will reflect the wholesome values they are certain they possess. The first to buy a table at whichever luncheon or gala.
Indeed, in their well-manicured lives, this particular and more pervasive type of racist has been so insulated from the cares and injustices of the world for so long that they can almost convince themselves such unpleasantness doesn’t exist.
It’s this racist who is most dangerous. The one who would never spit on you. Or call the police on you in the park. Or shout vulgarities at you in a convenience store. The one who would open the door for you at Starbucks. Save your place at the bar of your fave lunch spot.
The one who would graciously guide your child and his class through a personal tour of the highest court in the land telling them they too could be there one day and then go back to chambers and craft the single most devastating decision of recent history.
This racist. This is the one who is deadly.
