Many of us can think of the "good," non-racist white people in our lives. But it's important to remember that even they benefit from an anti-Black system – which the following three lies about "good" white people attempt to deny.
Lie #1: Color Blindness
We can't fall for it when whites claim they’re “colorblind” or “don’t see color,” they deny systemic racism exists – denying the realities of our lives. Pretending not to see race doesn't make it go away!
Lie #2: A Few Bad Apples
When police kill, we’ll hear that there are only a "few bad apples" in police departments. The other half of this popular expression is often left out, however: "A few bad apples spoil the bunch." A police department that tolerates even one racist cop is racist. Similarly, if a white person tolerates their racist friends without intervening, they are racist! One racist apple means a racist bunch.
Lie #3: Having Black Friends
It’s possible to have Black friends and still be racist, just like it’s possible to have a wife or daughter and still be sexist. Being close to us doesn't necessarily signify anything. Enslavers tried to make this argument too!
We can't believe these myths about "good" white people. They may exist – but rejecting these lies is one way we can challenge systemic racism in every possible way.