Meh

I mean this as serious as a heart attack, be very worried about this generation of white kids growing up in the south right now. They're gonna be a very specific type of adult I don't need to explain and they're gonna be running for office all over the place. https://t.co/yPJHX4j3GK

— Travon (@Travon) June 14, 2023

I was taught (in public school) that the Civil War was over “states’ rights” and had nothing to do with slavery, nosireebob! I was never taught about the Tuskegee experiment or the Tulsa Massacre or that Texas sought independence so people could own slaves here and get some of that sweet cotton economy. Systemic racism? Are you kidding?

Things improved in public education, but not by that much. One eventually overcomes one’s childhood; or one is consumed by it. Or you live a life of quiet indifference.

But a generation of white kids is ruined? “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.” Seriously, what has changed?

Remember the SNL sketch after Trump was elected? All the white people freaked out that such a racist had been elected? And Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle were not surprised at all?

Yeah, we’re still there. Racism isn’t coming back because South Carolina passed a stupid law. It wasn’t going to go away because some kids had access to Ta-Nehisi Coates. Yes, they should have access to him; they should be free to read a lot of things.

But the culture of the country, not just the South, is systemic racism. And sexism. And a number of other ways we categorize people the better to separate ourselves from them.

As Candide advised: tend your own garden. Worry about your own failings. Look to the log in your own eye, rather than the splinter in your brother’s, or sister’s. More finger pointing is not really what’s needed.