The American Myth of Unity
United we stand, divided we fall? Or something like that?
Over the past year, more and more people have become familiar with antiracist trainings and conversations. (And yes, you should be having more of your own!!! Always!!!!) But, alongside these conversations comes in an uptick in the all-American rebuttal: Why can’t we just get along?
Or the I’m not racist, but they would do a lot better if they stopped trying to divide people. The list goes on (and I’m sure you’re very familiar with them after that Thanksgiving dinner with your conservative uncle).
The first few times I got these responses when trying to engage in these conversations I was baffled. I honestly didn’t even understand where the connection between getting along and learning about injustice was (because hello!!!! — why would you want to “just get along” with someone actively hurting and harming marginalized groups???). But then I started thinking about it and realized why these people felt that these were appropriate responses: that big ole illusion of unity. They equated not being racist with unity.
But not being racist isn’t the same as being antiracist, and it isn’t enough to just *not* be racist (S/O Ibram X. Kendi).
The point of antiracist work isn’t to unify; it’s to be antiracist. And being antiracist is even more important in a country where you can prioritize “unity” over the actual lives and rights of others.
You see, that’s the funny thing about unity: it almost never involves truly being united. And using unity as a rebuttal to antiracism proves just that.
Think waaay back to your elementary school history class. That fun lesson on the first Thanksgiving where you got to trace your hand and make it a turkey. The pilgrims and natives came together to feast peacefully, right? Pilgrims just wanted to help the native people, right? Unity, right???? (ICYMI: learn more here, here, and here.)
It was never about unity. It was about pushing narratives that remove white people from their own atrocities. It was about pushing narratives that allow for white power and white supremacy to continue to thrive and function today, at the expense of BIPOC groups.
Because if you were really so interested in unity, you would recognize how structural racism still persists and impacts the lives of Black people and other marginalized groups. If you were really so interested in unity, you would stop pushing for marginalized people to compromise their health, safety, and wellbeing in the name of getting along. If you really wanted unity, you would sit, listen, and learn.
But that’s the thing about your definition of unity. It was never about unity. It was about white comfort. What is your “unity” if it comes at the expense of Black and Indigenous groups?
How to start being antiracist: here.
Why it’s important: here and here. And here.
BIPOC creators to follow and support:
Ericka Hart, Indigenous Women Hike, Muchacha Fazine, and more here.
