Distancing Behaviors Often Used by White People
by] ames Edler and Bruce Irons
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s Whites work on the issue of racism, certain avoidance or distancing behaviors invariably arise. These
behaviors may be unconscious and arise from a universal need for safety, security and a positive self-image.
However they minimize the, impact of the workshop,
since racism cannot be confronted at a distance. To really
understand and deal with racism entails experiencing
various levels of personal questioning, discomfort and
bewilderment about personal responsibility. Becoming
aware of one's armor of distancing behaviors can allow
, one to move past such struggles and begin a constructive
effort to confront personal and societal racism.
1. Definitions Game
This behavior prevents people from addressing the
problem of racism by requesting a "clear;" absolute
definition of racism and related terms, which often
leads to involved, abstract discussions. This is not to
be confused with an actual need to clarify differences
among concepts like racism, discrimination, prejudice
and the like.
2. Where are the People of Color?
Many White people believe that until they can discuss
racism with people of color directly, the issue can't
be addressed. This belief also suggests that if there
are only a limited number of minorities representing
a particular organization or community, racism isn't
a problem. Racism, however, may be the very reason
they are not present.
3. Racism Isn't the Only Problem
Frequently, White people insist that racism is part of a
larger societal problem, and must therefore be discussed
within the context of other problems such as sexism,
crime, and poverty. While it is true that many forms of
oppression are deeply intertwined, this behavior is one
way to avoid confronting racism directly.
4. Being an Expert
, While White people spend numerous hours theorizing
about what it is like to be oppres~ed, they seem to take
little action in their communities to combat the problem.
This manifests as "some of my best friends are ..." or "I'm
the okay White person in this group," and leads to denying
the need to change racist views they may embrace.
5. Instant Solutions
Advocates sometimes simplify the problem of racism
by promoting single solutions such as "Change the
Schools" which have their value, but can be selflimiting. In order to effectively combat problems
such as racism, advocates must look at how things
,are rather than "how they should be."
6. Find the Racist
One of the most destructive -behaviors transpire
when members of a White group working on the
issue of racism attack one another for their "racist
comments." This generates a climate of uncertainty
among the group and may prevent further discussions about how to constructively address racism in
White communities.
7. After I...
Those people who do nothing or only minimally
invest in the area of con:ibatting racism justify their
actions by focusing on all the things that prevent them.
from taking action. For example; one might say, "I
will challenge racism when I get my degree" or "It's
too big a problem. I don't know what to do!" Excuses
like these are common and become a routine way to
avoid fighting racism.
8. Geography
Racism is a sickness that prevails in most areas
regardless of the size of the minority population. For
this reason, White people must ask themselves what
it is that keeps minorities from living and working in
their White communities, and avoid focusing strictly
on those areas that have developed reputations for
overt "race problems."
9. You've Come a Long Way
Developing rationales that emphasize what changes .
have or may have occurred among people of color, slow ;
down and even prevent White people from confronting.i
racism. This strategy implies that these groups' should;
be satisfied with certain improvements that have indeed ;
occurred in their communities. Though victories hard ;
won must be acknowledged, it is important not to;
discount what is left to be done and the retrogression 1
that has occurred during the past decade.
'1
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Adapled from an article by James Edler and Bruce Irons.
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