It’s abundantly clear to anyone paying attention that racism is still prevalent in America. Strangely, if you take a look at people’s comments online, it seems like no one is willing to admit they hold any racist beliefs. Who would own up to being racist? Outside of self-proclaimed white supremacists, not many. Even the so-called “white nationalists” often disguise their views with misleadingly egalitarian rhetoric. It’s quite the paradox: no one identifies as racist, yet racism thrives.
Racism has a knack for being subtle. It doesn’t rely on blatant declarations anymore; it prefers to operate under the radar. I’ve come across numerous overtly racist remarks regarding incidents like the one in Charlottesville, where a zealous white supremacist drove his car into a crowd, killing one person and injuring nineteen. However, there’s an even larger number of less obvious racist comments.
Currently, racism often manifests through “whataboutisms”—these false equivalences deflect from the core issue, making it easier for some to sidestep the uncomfortable truths about white supremacy. For instance, when someone highlights that Black Americans still struggle for true equality, a common response is, “What about the fact that we had a Black president?!”
This response conveniently ignores the fact that many people lynched Obama in effigy and hurled racial slurs at his family. They overlook the reality that had he shared even a fraction of the personal history of his white successor, he likely wouldn’t have made it past the primaries. The numerous obstacles he faced are still present today. Therefore, having a Black president doesn’t automatically equate to true equality.
When someone condemns the hatred at a white supremacist rally, the response often shifts to, “What about the violence at Black Lives Matter protests?!” This perspective disregards the countless peaceful BLM demonstrations and the organization’s core principles of equality and non-violence, as well as its leaders’ public denouncements of violence committed by individuals in its name. Contrarily, the very nature of white supremacist gatherings is rooted in inequality and implied violence, even if no one is physically harmed at the event.
Another common rebuttal is, “Well, what about how the small percentage of Muslims who commit terror acts don’t represent all Muslims, yet the small percentage of white supremacists supposedly represent the rest?” This argument misses the critical point that white supremacist ideology inherently seeks to dehumanize and terrorize non-whites, while the Islamic faith promotes peace and goodwill through its core tenets.
When discussions arise about institutional racism making life more perilous for Black Americans, some might retort, “What about Black-on-Black crime?” This argument oversimplifies the complex socioeconomic issues within predominantly Black communities and fails to recognize that these realities are often a direct result of centuries of white supremacist policies.
Additionally, when people of color express their pain and anger regarding personal and institutional racism, the conversation might shift to, “What about reverse racism? Isn’t all racism wrong?” This line of thinking not only disregards the lived experiences of people of color, but it also mischaracterizes the concept of racism itself, which is deeply intertwined with power dynamics. While individuals can harbor racial prejudices, true racism in the U.S. is fundamentally linked to the history of white supremacy.
Donald Trump once suggested, “I wonder if it’s George Washington next week, and Thomas Jefferson the week after,” in response to calls for the removal of Robert E. Lee statues. This statement misses the crucial context: Lee’s legacy is tied to the defense of slavery and treason against the United States, while Washington and Jefferson, despite their own imperfections, played foundational roles in American democracy.
Whataboutisms may seem like solid arguments, but they often serve to evade the real conversation. If you find yourself diverting a discussion about racism and white supremacy, it might be worth examining whether your stance is genuinely defensible.
And if you consistently deflect in these discussions, it could be time to consider that your position may be influenced by subconscious biases—potentially even rooted in racism. Yes, I’m suggesting you might hold more prejudiced views than you realize. Many of us who are white are more entrenched in white supremacy than we care to admit. This isn’t an insult; it’s simply the reality of existing in a society built on such foundations.
So, what about that?
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Summary
This article discusses the insidious nature of racism in America, particularly how “whataboutism” serves to deflect serious discussions about white supremacy and racism. It emphasizes that while many deny being racist, the persistence of racist ideologies and the complexities surrounding the topic require deeper reflection on individual biases.