It’s time for all of us to face some ugly truths

Dear Editor:

When my family moved to Canton in 2006 for the wonderful schools, we didn’t know that we were joining a wonderful community as well. Canton is a proud community with strong traditions and a willingness to help any neighbor in need. I remember my mother’s first impression when she accompanied us to a parade through town. The streets were lined with people and we sat on the wall by the high school, swatting mosquitos and enjoying the music.

“I see why you moved here,” she said. “It’s like America was in the 1950s.” I wanted to believe that she was referring to the small-town, safe, neighborly feel, but when I asked her to elaborate she said, “There are no Blacks.”

I immediately defended myself and told her that’s not why we chose Canton and yes, Black people live here too. It was a quick, uncomfortable exchange that has stuck with me. I silently wondered whether Canton did feel more familiar or comfortable for me because it was predominantly white. Had I overlooked other great towns that looked more diverse and made myself believe it was for some other reason? I don’t know the answer, but I’m not afraid of asking the question.

As an adult I reflect on the subtle and not so subtle racist messages and jokes I absorbed as a child from the people who taught and loved me. I am forced to face uncomfortable truths and see my parents as multi-dimensional: caring, supportive, loving, self-sacrificing … and racist. It doesn’t mean I love them less, but it does mean that I have to challenge my own assumed truths and biases. I am responsible for learning our country’s history of oppression and challenging systemic discriminatory policies. I am responsible for recognizing and exposing coded language and subtle imagery that portrays any group as “less than.” I am responsible for making the community that welcomed us welcoming for all.

MAC’s belief that recent efforts to promote awareness, “… is dividing the races even more” is naive and serves to preserve a comfortable status quo. Comfortable for white people. Replacing stereotypical mascots, removing tributes to enslavement, and learning that there’s a Black National Anthem doesn’t threaten to undo the things our society has done well; it shows that we can and want to do better. It takes strength, humility and courage to face ugly truths that we’ve swept under the rug or that we didn’t know existed. I believe Canton and MAC should be up for the challenge. I am.

Laina Julier

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=68729

Posted by Guest on Jul 31 2020. Filed under From One Citizen to Another, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.