With the pandemic and conflits raging over vaccine mandates across the globe, I have largely turned my attention away from considering how white identity and racism is adversely impacting society. That is because I believe the mandates have a much greater consequence to us all related to our personal freedoms.

In my earlier post, I made no attempt to define racism. Here, I am using a refererece I believe is relevant to what I have to say regarding the matter.

The Aspen Institute's defines "structual racism as "A system in which public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations, and other norms work in various, often reinforcing ways to perpetuate racial group inequity. It identifies dimensions of our history and culture that have allowed privileges associated with “whiteness” and disadvantages associated with “color” to endure and adapt over time. Structural racism is not something that a few people or institutions choose to practice. Instead it has been a feature of the social, economic and political systems in which we all exist."

I contend and maintain that structural racism is held in place in two ways and two ways ONLY.

Let's understand, structual racism and racism in general fundamentally and solely exist because most people refuse and are unwilling to let go the idea and social construction that whitenes and white identity have some intrinsic meaning or basis in law.*  They do not.

I applaud all the people who work in earnest to dismantle racism and seek ways to promote equity and inclusion. Contrary to most, however, I begin my thought processes, convesatons and work regarding the matter by first understanding whiteness and white identity are the fudamental bases upon which structural racism and racism have been held in place and sustained.

To be continued...

I look forward to your comments.