Questions from white folk to white folk.

Since the May 31 murder of Aaron Roberts, lingering questions of racism have emerged in our communities. We, the authors, are white; most of our family, friends, and communities are also white. So what we would like to do is simply share with you some questions that we have been asked (in CAPS) by white people we know, and some questions that we have asked ourselves in response.

We focus on African Americans here because of the Aaron Roberts murder, but these questions can apply to other groups as well. We are not trying to prove the innocence or guilt of Aaron Roberts or officers Price and Neubert. We're just asking some questions about racism in response to the dialogue about Roberts' death. The questions are not rhetorical. If you don't know the answer, ask yourself why, and then find out. Please do question what we say; don't take our word for it. We hope that by asking questions, it will inspire all of us to actually look into it, research, and talk to people outside our communities, and come to our own understandings of the nature of racism.

WHY IS IT AUTOMATICALLY RACIST? WHERE IS THE PROOF OF POLICE RACISM?

Why are more people of color (per capita) being pulled over, searched, facing higher bail amounts, and longer sentences, than white folks? What percentage of the Seattle population is black? Is the murder of black and white citizens by police equal considering population differences? (Dept. of Justice carries these statistics.)

IF BLACK PEOPLE COMMIT MORE CRIME, SHOULDN'T THEY DO MORE TIME?

Why do more black men have criminal records per capita than white men? If the reason there are more black men behind bars than white (per capita) is because they commit more crimes, we ask why? If we claim it is because they have less money, education, or because of the "degeneration" of the black family, then why? If we say it is because they want to "whine," say "poor me," and "take handouts," then why do they want that? For each of these possible causes, and others, aren't the fundamental questions: IF, WHEN, and WHY did it happen? Do we think black people woke up one day and decided to "degenerate"? Do black people just not want money enough to work hard for it? Is there a time in US history when race (especially white) and racism began? (We have found "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn helpful for these questions.)

IF THIS RACISM IS SO BAD, WHY CAN'T I SEE IT?

If your white children, their young friends and neighbors were saying that the police were pulling them over unfairly because of their youth, would you believe them? How can we believe that the Seattle Police force is racist (or other institutions) unless we believe the black people that experience it? What if this were true, if life were as hard as people of color claim, if the "whining" was not whining at all? Just imagine, pretend it were true--what if this oppression existed and we just didn't see it; how would we then have to view America? And if we still do not believe, we must ask ourselves, what is keeping me from believing this exists?

MAYBE SLAVERY MADE IT HARDER BACK IN THE DAY, BUT BY NOW SHOULDN'T THEY BE ABLE TO FIND IT IN THEMSELVES TO RISE ABOVE?

Do the effects of centuries of slavery, segregation, and discrimination make a difference in the lives of black people today? If it does not make a difference, if social forces, past and present, are not the cause, then aren't we saying that black people are the cause, and that they are simply less capable than white people? If we think it's a personal choice--they choose to be lazy, are prone to violence--then aren't we saying black people are inferior to us? Aren't those the beliefs that allowed people to hang slaves; burn Jews?

IF RACIAL INEQUALITY IS NOT CAUSED BY PEOPLE'S PERSONAL CHOICES, THEN WHY CAN'T PEOPLE OF COLOR JUST GET ALONG IN THIS SOCIETY?

If we believe that it's not a choice or inherent nature of black folks, then isn't it social forces that cause and maintain the inequality? And if it is an external social force (society) that caused and maintains the problem, isn't it our responsibility to change it? And if your logic has followed ours to the end of this article, aren't we all on the hook together?

We have come to realize (with the much appreciated help of people of color) that race was constructed intentionally in America to give white people access to power at the expense of people of color. That's why we believe racist ideologies are not innate; they are learned, and can be unlearned. Furthermore, institutions perpetuating racism are created and sustained by people, and thus, people unlearning racism can work to undo racism. We, as white people, no longer need to feel guilt, shame, anger, or denial about racism in order to "get off the hook." Only when we take responsibility to change it can we hope for a day when we will have earned the privilege of getting off the hook.

--Christina Hartson and Cole Torrence are students at Seattle Central Community College