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A Better Way to be ‘Anti-Racist'
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With the protests happening all over the world in response to the police killing of George Floyd, a term is becoming increasingly center-stage which, I think, divides more than it helps.
‘Anti-Racist’.
The idea that a person should oppose racism wherever they see it. I’m not against the idea itself — racism is irrational, destructive and ultimately a sign of stupidity — I don’t agree with the term ‘anti-racist’.
Words are hugely important in defining your personal reality.
The words you say, hear and think have a direct effect on how you feel, and ultimately, how you behave. If I said ‘you look amazing’ I might incite a feeling of happiness within you. If I said ‘you look disgusting’ I would provoke a very different feeling and you might be ready to run, shout or even hit me.
By my mere choice of a single word I can make you feel either a highly positive or highly negative emotion, and you don’t have a choice whether you feel it or not. Once the word is said, especially in conjunction to yourself as an individual, you will feel its corresponding emotion.
