Do we have systemic racism in our country?
A little over a week ago, the Prime Minister of Canada welcomed the guilty verdict against the former Minneapolis police officer whose knee to the neck of George Floyd ended in this man’s death in May of 2020. Mr. Trudeau called it a ‘wake-up call’ about systemic racism.
As I have worked with business leaders for over 30 years, this blog is not about politics, this is all about leadership. I was once told that humans are either examples or lessons. So, focusing back on the comment that we have ‘systemic racism’ in my country, I thought I should dig deeper into the matter
According to the Miriam-Webster (M-W.) on-line dictionary, systemic is relating to, or common to a system. So, in other words the racism that Mr. Trudeau speaks of is common to a system. So that brings up another question, what does the phrase ‘common to a system’ mean? According to M-W. a system is a group of interacting bodies under the influence of related forces. So, what does the word ‘common’ mean? Again, according to M-W. ‘common’ is of or relating to a community at large.
Knowing this, it makes me wonder who I am associating with, who is my community. And it appears that I am not associating with a bunch of rude people filled with hatred for those who are not like them. I think this whole situation goes back to one thing, which was taught by my parents. They taught me that all people are children of God. That meaning you always love the person (as they were created by God), but you never accept their bad or poor behavior (as that is influenced by anger or evil). While this may seem like a contradiction in actions, I believe it is the only way to live a good and less stressful life.
This is not about politics
When I think about my parents and what they taught me, I feel fortunate. While I am far from being the picture of innocence. I wonder what the Canadian Prime Minister was taught by his parents. Yes, this is the same person who acknowledged his own past history of racism in the form of going ‘blackface’ and ‘brownface’ numerous times during his adult years. Yes, even at a 2001 costume party at a private school when he was 29-year-old adult.
The more I think about Mr. Trudeau’s comments and how he always brings up ‘systemic racism’ the more I get annoyed. This is because he is using a psychological action called ‘deflection’. To help you understand the word deflection; consider these questions;
- Have you ever caught yourself trying to push the blame for the things you did onto someone else?
- Could it have been that you were trying to protect yourself or to control the situation?
In general; deflection means that you’re handing something over to someone else in an attempt to move the attention away from yourself. It is a psychological defense in which you deflect blame to others. Deflection can be considered a narcissistic trait, or a strategy that you’ve learned or developed over time. Maybe it is a form of denial, rather than accepting any responsibility. So, it appears that we all have the tendency to deflect the blame onto others.
Which leads to a few more questions;
- Is the Prime Minister showing a lack of maturity, by his comments?
- Is this really leadership?
- Does blaming others, making excuses or denying responsibility for his own actions, sound like a leader?
- Do our bad habits disappear on their own?
Of course, our bad habits do not disappear on their own, and yes, his words and actions lack maturity. This is especially true when a person is doing all they can to ignore their past behaviors by deflecting the blame.
The solutions I suggest?
- It is necessary to tone down the statement of ‘systemic racism’. As you can see and know, there are many people who are part of this world who know how to treat others with dignity, no matter their race, color or creed.
- We need to take this racism conversation away from those who govern us. Yes, they are humans like us, but they are strongly influenced my political ideology or beliefs which takes the situation in the direction of their wants and needs.
- We need to confront each and every individual who is racist, by asking a simple question; ‘Is your behavior helpful in a friendly and welcoming society?’
- Lastly, if you have friends that are racist, and they won’t change their ways – maybe it is time to move on from their friendship.
As I conclude, my final question is; how can you improve in your own actions with others?
Hey Tim,
You certainly have a unique ability to state a point of view in a positive manner.
Always admired your demeanour.
Stu, this compliment made my day – thank you.
Agree with so much of this Tim except the part about toning down the term “systemic racism”.
It is real, it is imbedded, it is harmful. Lack of awareness of this concept perpetuates it.
Self awareness, of how our beliefs may harm or help others, is essential! Thanks for bringing awareness to this important issue in our community, province and country.
Erin, I am very pleased that you commented on this post. For your information my comments were evidence based. That meaning I examined in depth recent conversations with people I know on a deeper basis, and there was not one person who was racist. So in my circle of acquaintances and friends their is no systemic racism. While I wasn’t speaking for everyone, if you go by the definition I’ve outlined in the post, we do not have systemic racism in this country. What we do have is a Prime Minister who is doing all he can to deflect his racist actions and attitudes on the rest of this country – truly not a leadership quality. I can not accept a blanket statement that I’ve shown is false in my circle of friends and acquaintances. If you can provide me evidence that racism has encompassed our entire country (systemic racism) I would be pleased to see it.
I do agree that self-awareness is needed, but those who aren’t aware of their racist attitudes need to be questioned about their individual attitudes. Are you will to do that?