The Toilet Roll Archives (10) - Black Lives Matter, and Matter is the Minimum.
This is a gentle reminder to the several people I’ve seen across various platforms who think it’s okay to voice their complaints about BLM protests happening in the UK.
***I could go on and on but I'll keep things short.
First of all, the people that I've seen complaining have all been white people who are unaffected by issues of systematic racism. Think that sums things up right there.
The actions of BLM protestors are not an example of 'selective outrage' - a phrase I had never really been aware of until yesterday and am now adopting because I think it fully encompasses all that I need (and want) to say.
An example of this 'selective outrage' is choosing to complain about the breaking of social distancing when black people are protesting for their own rights and calling for the dismantling of an oppressive system that still very much exists, whilst actively choosing to ignore the VE day congas, crowded beaches and shared jugs of sangria Jan from 62 made earlier that have been commonplace the past few weeks.
So: what is the common theme here?
A beach full of white people is fine, the white male political advisor travelling across the country is fine, long lines of white people parading over VE Day is fine, reopening schools when the death toll is hitting international record-highs is fine. But as soon as black people stand up for their rights, everyone starts shouting about a second wave. Not to say these talks haven't already been happening; they just seem to pick up far more media coverage when unpicking systematic racism is added to the 2020 Agenda.
Now, when I say the word “fine”, I am using it comparatively. I'm not saying that everyone thought the beach photos, VE Day news coverage or the Dominic Cummings case were fine, nor am I making a general sweeping statement that everyone on a beach in Brighton last bank holiday weekend was white. Just, in comparison to the outrage over BLM protests, it all seems somewhat disproportionate.
I think I am fairly justified in saying that the second wave will come because of the incoherent way in which the British government has navigated this entire crisis: go to work if you can but if you can, stay at home; use public transport to go to work but don't use public transport because don't go to work unless you can go to work, but stay at home if you can; don't go to work but pay your rent and your bills with money you no longer are earning.
And this is the important part so if you're skimming, please read this part properly: if we feel uncomfortable with the protests, maybe we should consider asking ourselves why.
Is it because we think that these protests are the one thing over everything else that will cause a second wave? That all these bodies together will spread disease rife? Or is it because you are realising that you are part of a racist oppressive system and that makes you uncomfortable? Because that's ok. White privilege is as densely complex as it is fragile (ironic much!?) But it is necessary to understand.
If we are going to truly try to rebuild Britain post-Corona as the kind of country that respects diversity and fights for equal opportunity (kind of hard w Brexit and thoughtless immigration bills but that's another post), it is essential that we start by recognising and discussing our roles as white people. We have allowed this system to exist for so long by remaining quiet and silently navigating with swift ease.
Let’s help each other be better. Let's learn and grow and all that. Most importantly, let’s not expect black people to do all the work. Let white bodies and voices latch together and actively build a platform for the change we want to see, since, to a great extent, white bodies are the bodies which are seen and white voices are the voices that are heard.
Black Lives Matter. And 'matter' is the minimum. Black voices are worthy; black stories are valued; black bodies are valid. And if it means taking to parks, streets and squares to declare it, then so be it. Racial prejudice is a far bigger and more poisonous pandemic than Corona could ever claim to be.
No comments
Post a Comment