"Beware: All too often, we say What we hear others say. We think What we’re told that we think. We see What we’re permitted to see. Worse! We see what we’re told that we see. Repetition and pride are the keys to this. To hear and to see Even an obvious lie Again and again and again May be to say it, almost by reflex Then to defend it Because we’ve said it and at last to embrace it Because we’ve defended it and because we cannot admit That we’ve embraced and defended an obvious lie. … Thus, without thought, without intent, we make Mere echoes of ourselves— And we say What we hear others say." - Octavia Butler
Octavia Butler, a trailblazer in science fiction and futurism, has long challenged us to question the constructs and narratives that shape our perceptions of reality. Her works invite us to explore alternative visions of society, identity, and human connection, reminding us of the power of questioning the "obvious lies" As a racialized black American, I have journeyed through community activism and delved into the complexities of DEI consultancy, and I have emerged as an advocate for raceless anti-racism. Octavia Butler's words resonate deeply with me. They serve as a poignant reminder of the echo chambers we often find ourselves in, especially regarding race. It is this realization that prompted a profound introspection within me: Who am I without my race?
The Story of Race in America
The concept of race as we understand it today in America was not a fixture of early colonial society but was gradually constructed in the late 17th century. Initially, European colonists interacted with Native Americans and Africans without a clear racial divide; class and religion were the primary means of social stratification. However, as the colonies grew and the demand for labor intensified, especially in the burgeoning tobacco and cotton plantations, racial distinctions began to solidify. The pivotal moment came in the late 1600s, particularly with Virginia's slave codes, which began legally differentiating between Africans and Europeans, entrenching slavery along racial lines. This was a strategic move to prevent alliances between indentured servants and African slaves by granting privileges to the former and severely restricting the latter, effectively inventing the racial hierarchy that would dominate American social structure.
The History of the Reconstruction of Race
Fast forward through the tumultuous eras of American history, each period reconstructed the concept of race to suit the socio-political needs of the time. The Civil War and Reconstruction era briefly promised a redefinition of race relations with the abolition of slavery and the granting of citizenship rights to African Americans. However, the promise was short-lived, as the Jim Crow laws soon reinstated a rigid racial hierarchy. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s marked another significant attempt to dismantle institutionalized racism, leading to landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Yet, the modern era has seen a hyper-focus on race, with identity politics and social media amplifying racial awareness and tensions. This has led to both positive outcomes, such as increased visibility and advocacy for marginalized communities, and negative consequences, such as the entrenchment of racial divides and the rise of identity-based conflict. The constant evolution of the social construct of race in America reflects the very nature of a system of oppression and the lack of imagination of American society.
"Black Culture"
The concept of "Black Culture" in America is rich and multifaceted, encapsulating a broad spectrum of experiences, expressions, and contributions that are a testament to the resilience, creativity, and enduring spirit of the Black community. However, the lens of racialization through which Black culture is often viewed can inadvertently obscure its intrinsic value and diversity, reducing it to a monolithic entity defined primarily by the struggle against racial oppression.
This reductionist view not only fails to capture the full breadth of what Black culture embodies but also reinforces the very racial boundaries that many seek to transcend. The constant emphasis on race as the primary lens for understanding and engaging with Black culture can stifle the recognition of individual uniqueness within the community and overlook the rich tapestry of influences, from historical legacies to personal narratives, that shape the cultural landscape. Moreover, the inextricable link between Black culture and racialization in America has profound implications for identity formation within the community. It poses a significant challenge to envisioning a future where race does not predominate one's sense of self or community belonging.
The hyperfocus on racial identity can act as a barrier to exploring and embracing the myriad other dimensions that make up an individual's identity, such as personal interests, talents, values, and aspirations that transcend racial categorizations.
The question of whether the most racialized among us can envision ourselves through a raceless lens is both provocative and vital. It compels us to consider the possibilities of a cultural identity that both acknowledges the realities of our racialized past and present and also reaches beyond them towards a more nuanced understanding of what it means to be part of the rich tapestry of Black culture in America.
The Future of Society: A Raceless Paradigm
In the ongoing dialogue aimed at dismantling systemic racism, the theory of racelessness stands out as a transformative approach. The theory created by Dr. Sheena Mason, scrutinizes and contests the entrenched concept of "race," along with the processes of racialization, and the ensuing power disparities that arise from these beliefs and actions. It advocates for a significant shift in perspective, urging a reexamination and broadening of our understanding of human diversity. This involves moving beyond conventional racial categories to adopt a more complex and inclusive view, with the ultimate goal of eradicating the roots and impacts of racism.
At the heart of racelessness is the firm denial of "race" as either a biological reality or a mere social construct. It posits that the actual construct at play is racism itself—a phenomenon crafted by humans, deeply influenced by historical contexts and cultural narratives, and not by any inherent characteristics of individuals or groups. The theory emphasizes that dismantling the entrenched belief in "race" as a natural or constructed entity, along with challenging the practices of racialization used to discriminate or privilege, is essential to disentangling and addressing the intricate power imbalances that racism sustains. Dr. Mason outlines five pivotal rules that challenge and deconstruct the ingrained racial narratives:
Race/ism (i.e., racism) is a socially constructed system of economic and social oppression that requires the belief in “race” and the practice of racialization to reinforce various power imbalances.
“Race” is an imaginary part of the socially constructed reality of racism (i.e., race/ism).
Racialization is the process of applying an inescapable economic and social class hierarchy —“race/ism”—to humans that creates or reinforces power imbalances.
The belief in “race” and practice of racialization affects people differently. These differences serve to uphold the machinery of racism, acting as obstacles to unification, healing, and reconciliation.
Translation of what one means by “race,” including the presumed absence of “race” in any context, can lead to understanding and bridge-making. The racelessness translator helps people interpret “race” into something being said about the causes/effects of racism, culture, ethnicity, social class, economic class, or some combination.
Race/ism does not exist everywhere in the same way and can be ended.
ended.
The Future of DEI: Raceless Anti-Race(ism)
The envisioned future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) through the prism of raceless anti-racism beckons a profound and expansive transformation, offering a roadmap towards a society rich in equality and language. This forward-looking framework advocates for a significant departure from the traditional race-centric narrative, inviting us instead to delve into the intricate layers of individual and collective identities. It prompts us to navigate the nuances of our existence through the lenses of culture, ancestry, lineage, social class, and economic status, enriching our conversations about self and society. By championing the diversity and inclusion model that transcends the constraints of racial categorizations, we pave the way for a more inclusive paradigm where the focus shifts to understanding and celebrating the complex interplay of factors that shape our experiences and worldviews. This approach not only fosters a more holistic appreciation of each person's unique journey but also cultivates environments where the diversity of human experience is truly recognized and valued.
The Future You: Liberation through racelessness
What does it mean for you, for us, to envision ourselves without the labels that have been both a shield and a shackle? It means peeling back the layers to reveal the core of our being—our individual passions, dreams, values, and the indomitable spirit that adds to the culture and legacy.
It's about acknowledging our shared lineage with the warriors and poets of old while also recognizing the unique melody each of us brings to the symphony of life. It's about building communities where our children are celebrated for their innate worth, unbounded and unbought by the narrow definitions of "race."
In this moment, let’s imagine both the visions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Octavia Butler. Dr. King's dream of a society where individuals are judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character and Butler's cautionary tales, urging us to challenge the narratives and constructs we've inherited.
As we journey toward the mountaintop, navigating the intricate terrain of social constructs and the profound quest for belonging, we cast our gaze both backward at the trodden path and forward to the horizon of possibility. There, in the distance, lies the vision of a future unshackled by the rigid constructs of race—a future that beckons like the promised land, envisioned by the prophetic voices of both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Octavia Butler. This promised land does not seek to erase the rich tapestry of our diverse histories; rather, it aspires to weave these threads into a societal fabric that embodies the quintessential ideals of equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In this envisioned society, the concept of race has dissolved, giving way to a collective existence that celebrates the depth and breadth of our individual and shared narratives. Here, we transcend the historical boundaries that have long served to marginalize, divide, and oppress, stepping into a realm where our shared humanity is the cornerstone of community and connection. In this reimagined society, we honor the legacy of those who came before us, not by clinging to the divisive labels they were burdened with, but by fulfilling the dream of a world where every individual is valued for the unique contribution they bring to the mosaic of human experience.