I was listening to ex footballer John Barnes speaking on the Jonathan Ross show last night. He was promoting his new book on racism. He said that there are people who wait for others to get caught being racist/saying something racist then say I wouldn’t do that therefore I’m not racist. He made a point that everyone has racial bias to some degree without even realising as it’s the way they’ve been conditioned throughout their life. He also said that because people have been conditioned this way that it’s not your fault for thinking like that.
I think he’s trying to promote actual conversations about racism rather than having people shouting at each other and trying to police each other’s words which doesn’t achieve a lot.
I agree with Barnes in that I think people have to be open to the fact they may have racial bias then see if there are certain behaviours that they can change to remove it. Thats not me demanding people do that either. I think people need to think about these things in their own time and at their own pace.
I might get John Barnes’ book when I’ve finished the books I’ve got as I think it will be interesting to read his views