In a fantasy society, I would love to have none of these fears. But in reality, I definitely can admit to having two of the four fears, and possibly have more but I just don't realise it. The first fear being: "a world in which non-white people might someday gain the kind of power over whites that whites have long monopolized" (Jensen). Living in London especially, I am exposed to many different races and cultures. And I'm not saying that I don't respect other races or discriminate against them, but I see the increase in the number of non-white people immigrating into England and it does scare me. It's nice to live in a world where you don't feel inferior to others and you know that the country you are from is on top. But it's scary to think of a world where everything and everyone is a stranger to you. You're the one that's different.
The second fear I have is: "The fear of being seen, and seen-through, by non-white people" (Jensen). I am afraid that others will discover my thoughts about other races, that just happen, and I can't help. I have been raised in a society where racism has been embedded within it for centuries. And something that has stayed in history for such a long period of time doesn't change over night. I wish I didn't have certain thoughts about other races, like: "There's a black man coming towards me; I better cross the street." I don't want to think these things, but while I think them, I almost get the feeling that others are thinking them as well, so it's okay. But it's not. And society shouldn't impose on us the idea that everyone is thinking the same thing.
Good honesty Sarah. Hopefully things will change so it's okay to speak publicly about our struggles to come to grips with race and do the right thing (without being accused of being racist). My guess is that you'll be able to do this at University. Many schools have a diversity orientation piece. You'll have a head start after this course.
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