Jews Talk Racial Justice - Ep 63: Proximity Alone is NOT Antiracism
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QUICK EPISODE OVERVIEW
April and Tracie dig into and challenge the oft-repeated notion that proximity across a line of difference immunizes against bigotry or racism. In other words, the assertion “I can’t be racist, my (fill-in-the-blank) is Black." We discuss how the good/bad binary plays into this misconception about proximity and clarify the fact that power and privilege remain intact even in proximate relationships. Ultimately, we offer listeners thoughts on how to counter these normal impulses and ultimately move toward greater liberatory consciousness.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
April and Tracie name some different scenarios and phrases that use proximity to marginalized folks in order to avoid accountability or introspection about racism. Have you heard or used any of these before or similar scenarios? Right off the bat, what is or has been your reaction to any of these?
April brings up the importance of having proximity to people across lines of difference, something that Bryan Stevenson talks about. Before diving into the episode, what do you think about this? What do you think distinguishes this notion that April and Tracie are talking about from the importance of proximity in antiracism work?
April also points out that many people have been racist in proximate contexts across history. What other examples can you think of? Beyond that, can proximity itself cause harm in situations? How so?
What does Tracie mean by doing the “internal work” around racism and patterns of oppression? Can you think of any examples in your life where doing internal work has radiated outward to change a space, either from yourself or others?
Tracie explains something that is key to any conversation about racial justice (and beyond): the false binary of good and bad/not-racist and racist. Where else have you seen this good/bad binary, either in your life and perception of the world or in the broader world?
April talks about something she has learned from and seen in other Jews of Color, which is compassion and knowing that everyone is trying their best. How can we nurture and use compassion in the fight for racial justice? How can we use it in trying to connect with folks across lines of difference?
What does it look like to be humble and have depth in relationships when working across lines of difference?
April says that “if someone is truly qualified and in a good place, that speaks for itself.” What does she mean by this? Why might this be the case, as opposed to how a person might talk about their proximity?
Can you think of an example of what it looks like to enter a space earnestly and listen in? Besides what April and Tracie name, what other qualities might make someone a good ally when walking into a space? Where can you improve in this area?