We are far from a post-racial society. This is okay. In fact, this is good. Racial differences are part of the reason we enjoy a wonderfully vibrant array of cultures, making the world more beautiful, interesting, and joyous.
But that has not come without a price, a price disproportionately paid by minorities who have experienced, and continue to experience, discrimination and outright racism in many forms. It does no good to deny this.
Yet it also does no good to dwell on it, assigning blame and fostering interracial antagonism. I understand the indignation of minority students at Duke. But I also understand the bewilderment of many white students.
Overwhelmingly, the anonymous exchanges about race on Yik Yak—even the most sensational—have been fueled by genuine feelings. Why can’t we recognize that a minority student’s experiences with racism on campus and a white student’s consternation over feeling vilified are equally valid? It’s okay for people to be angry about being stereotyped. It’s also okay to admit confusion or ignorance or simply inexperience with racism. Both are courageous admissions, even in anonymity.
We can argue about the best way to push back against racism, but first we need to stop arguing about what “counts” as racist and whose feelings are paramount. We are all equally responsible for acknowledging and considering the feelings of others, black or white, Greek or Independent, male or female, gay or straight. That’s not a race thing. That’s just a people thing. And if Duke students choose to use Yik Yak constructively (rather than as a means of perpetuating insensitivity) we might find it could even help us live up to that responsibility.
Lauren Forman is a Trinity junior.
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