Today marks 15 years since fierce LA riots ensued after four LA police officers were acquitted of charges related to the Rodney King beating. Even today, the issue – along with more recent examples, such as inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina in very poor, non-white areas – highlights the presence of racism (among other things) in our country.
I grew up in a small, southern town and have certainly seen my share of racism. I recall annual threats of black vs white riots in high school, social cliques clearly delineated by color, derogatory language, and inexplicable fear of interracial dating. And I graduated in 1994, not 1964. More recently, I was shocked by comments from (very) extended family members on similar topics. Luckily, this mindset was never a part of my immediate family, but I must admit, foolishly, that I often forget racism still exists.
I could go on to produce serious commentary about racism and its implications in our society. But my point isn’t so much that racism is wrong and socially detrimental (which it is – is there any question to that?). Here is my theory about racism:
One has to try to be racist.
That’s what I don’t get. Who has the time and energy to devote to something so useless and unproductive? One has to make an effort, to routinely exercise muscles of ignorance, to put intense energy into hate. And for what? I don't know about you, but I'd rather make a smoothie or take a nap or something.
I can’t even be bothered to bring an umbrella when it’s raining. So how could I be bothered about race? I just don’t care enough. Sure, I am only one emotionally lazy, pleasantly apathetic person in our society (hey, I get tired!). And yes I’m basing this on my own mindset. But again I say, one has to TRY to be racist. I can't even TRY to clean out the trunk of my car!
So maybe the opposite of racism isn’t tolerance…or change…or love. Maybe it is simply apathy. That isn’t to say we shouldn’t be tolerant, shouldn’t seek change, and shouldn’t love. But it seems to me a little apathy would go a long way in the first place. Why do people care so much to be racist? Who cares about skin color, background, or ancestry?
Why bother? That’s what I don’t get. So to paraphrase Rodney King: Can we all…not care?
