Living in a culture of Denialism

“Weak minds are scared by what they don’t understand and so it is easier to victimize difference than to grow from seeking understanding.”

The above quote was written by a gay male student of Boise State University who is white and an American. He wished to remain anonymous due to concern regarding his educational and administrative career.

I’m afraid for my fellow students and the future of our society. We all live inside this educational vacuum that Boise State provided for us. It’s a safe and comfortable place that provides multiple choices.

For example, we have the ability to ignore anti-abortion posters, Aryan Nation flyers and lectures on killings on the Mexican-United States border. On the other side, we can ignore Civil Rights posters, programs surrounding women’s issues and lectures on respect and acknowledgement. We are given the choice, the “freedom” to turn a blind eye. I’m curious, is it easy for the oppressed?

I’ve noticed a trend amongst oppressors. They’re not racists, sexists or homophobes. They’re all normal, communicative human beings leading lives in accordance with society. They are comfortable and just have ideas.

When asked about how oppression and discrimination affected dominant groups, a British, bisexual male student wrote, “Dominant groups stay dominant by using discrimination and oppression … I do not consider this to be bad or negative. It is the established method of control in modern Western society. If someone is hoping to affect change in this, they should focus on the problem, not its symptoms.”

I have to agree in some ways. But where does the problem begin? If we are so enforced to change, should we not try at least to sooth the symptoms?

Though we are all oppressors in one way or another, I can’t help but feel that this comfort doesn’t feel humane enough to me.

Whether they are stereotypes bound in history, racial slurs passed down from generation to generation, or just that one bad experience that affected them for life, people do have bias and sometimes they’re broad, or in some cases, specific.

I have to agree a bit with the British man, when he wrote, “I think that other countries are too busy trying not to look at America at all these days; America being the monolith of pride, capitalism and ethnocentrism that it is. It’s the white man’s Mecca.”        

Unfortunately, we must leave BSU and this comfortable blindfold, eventually, will be removed. For some, the process is gradual, slowly lifting up the cotton sides, peeking through the mesh until their eyes ease on the sunlight. For others, it’s a quick rip of the strings, and the burning, almost blinding sting of seeing light for the first time. It can happen after high school, college, or it can be as second nature as walking down the street.

Like others in non-dominant groups, I don’t think I ever had a blindfold. It was very clear to me that I was different and people will accept me or not based on that difference. It’s clear for people in same-sex relationships, of non-white races, people with disabilities and, oftentimes, women. I’m not saying dominant groups aren’t discriminated, but society will not condemn them and use oppressive forces that would shock or terrify the world around us.

History tells us so.

JESSICA HENDERSON
Opinion Journalist

Related Posts:

1. Living in a culture of Denialism
2. Living in a culture of Denialism
3. Living in a culture of Denialism:
4. Living in a culture of Denialism
5. Cultural Diversity