So post President Biden’s inauguration speech, we’re going to see more #SouthernStrategy rhetoric emerge.
In particular, white folk being upset about the terms “racism” and “racist.”
And, I’m going to share response technique that my mother always used to clarity her points...
Condemn the actions not the person.
White folk see “racist” through a shallow criteria of taboo racism; saying “nigger” in the open or being a member of the Ku Klux Klan.
Even then racism will be met as an abstract. It’s why even overt racism doesn’t always register.
See; domestic terror attack on the US Capitol.
So because they want to internalize the term as a slur, without giving a single thought to their behavior — separate them.
Condemn the actions not the person.
It’s a great way to dismantle the tactics and put a spotlight on what racism is.
Here’s examples of my mom doing it...
“You’re not bad, but what you said was bad.”
“You’re not stupid, but what you did was stupid.”
This allowed her to correct me by examining my actions, extrapolating deeds and their effect on others.