Once again beautifully displayed was this white racism denial strategy in the reaction of Thomas Hornung, a politican of Die Grüne in Mannheim.

(The whole story on BlackNRW and Der Braune Mob.)

After him throwing racial slures at a Black women and treating her with the affiliated disrespect and humiliation that most racists apply when trying to not having to deal with the criticism aimed at them, he simply put it as if the real insult was directed against him, when accusing him of being racist. Not only did he until today not see any necessity of apologizing, no he and his fellow politicians - of whom nobody has positioned so far- decided to go through the whole of white denial strategies.

1. Not remembering the incident.

2. Remembering it but having a totally different memory than the actual victim.

3. Claiming to be hurt by accusations of being a racist, and thus positioning as victim, not as aggressor.

4. Having extra fancy proof that there is not even the slightest possibility of being racist because of homosexuality, “knowing“ Black people, living in a “multicultural” city, loving travels overseas, being really sad about Micheal Jackson´s death, and disagreeing with Madonna adopting a Black child (to name a few).

5. Get back to your hurt feelings and put even more emphasis on the victim stance, achieved by accusing your actual victim of being a liar.

6. Display a pseudo compromise and propose another meeting -private of course- to talk about the “misunderstanding”.

My fellow white person denial is not a solution!

It is like that: “We (white people, yes ALL of us!) are racist. The actual work is not escaping this reality, but confronting it. That is reflecting upon it. What is it like to be white? What do I do and how many times have I actually proven that I am racist?

Yes, accepting this reality requires a lot of work and something we are not used to: Self Reflection.

“An identity in power never has to develop consciousness of itself as responsible, it has no sense of its limits except as these are perceived in opposition to others.”*

And I won´t deny it, it is not easy sometimes. As I said it is hard work, looking at one`s self. But in the end it is the only way out. Believe me, this weird feeling of guilt associated with racist behaviour eventually stops. There is hope!

But in order to achieve that you would have to actually assume responsibility! It is not about denying racism but acknowledging it and becoming aware of your role in it.

And no we are not victims of our own disability to deal with the racist sentiments inside. They are homemade, remember colonialism, enslavement, genocide, holocaust? Yes, we did that. It is not going to make it any better if still in 2009 nobody wants to be responsible.

If I do not want to be called racist, I should not act racist.

Using racist language is a clear proof of being racist. And no, if you really did not mean it that way, you wouldn´t have used it. N-Words don´t just slip off one`s tongue. They come alongside a lack of awareness and a white need to re-create colonial scenarios.

Racism is indeed nothing to be proud of. Still if you feel offended by a Black person clearly confronting you with your racism, there must be a point when you start thinking about it. Is it really possible that millions of Black people run around and call white people racist for no reason? Now logically speaking, does that really make sense to you? Like naming racism was some strategy to ruin an honorable white persons` reputation? Think hard now, are you serious about that???

Or could it be that you and your mama really are racists and that is why you run around and insult, humiliate, offend and disrespect Black people?

I am talking about projection and denial here. And if you don´t know what I mean then you clearly have to educate yourself. Yes you are indeed responsible for your knowledge and you should, as I said it is your responsibility, to finally know these things.

No don´t rush into self pity! Stop denying the fact that you are racist. It is obvious. Please get yourself together my fellow white person! It is overdue!

Sincerely…

* Young, Lola and Pajaczkowska, Claire. 1992. „Racism, Representation, Psychoanalysis”, in : Donald, James. ‘Race’, Culture and Difference. London: Sage. P. 202.

What if, a few months later, the same board members who fired me, found themselve accused of racism, homophobia, discrimination on basis of family status? And then fired the woman making the accussations. Who then brought this to the OHRC. What if this ruins my life for two years….all because I’m trying to get a RAISE for an employee & the board approved it, then reneged. And the woman was thus yes treated unjustly. She promised me she would ruin me. She did. SO tell me - how does a white woman handle that? The organization itself was wrecked. The rumours were acted upon although unsubstantiated and there was no due process. Your suggestions are welcomed.

Moreover, apologizing isn’t an admission of guilt, and the more you discuss and explain (when circumstances don’t call for it), the more you sound like you’re looking for an out. “I’m sorry, but” always sounds insincere, like you’re really only sorry you got caught. If you don’t really believe that, for instance, blacks are criminals, say so, even if that’s not what you meant to imply; attempting to justify it only looks worse.

I’m very careful to charge anyone as being racist, unless they flat out admit to it. Often it’s due to a lack of socialization and curiosity of individuals different than themselves. Once a person has taken the time to honestly and sincerely consider the other persons point-of-view or “walk in their shoes” the accusation of racism tends to go away and tolerance, friendship and acceptance enters.

It’s not just Black & White. It’s not just Americans. Everyone should consider these suggestions and try to veer away from accusing people of racism without supporting examples, then if you do have examples don’t dismiss each other, work together to find a common ground.

But that’s just my thoughts, ideas and suggestions on the topic.