Opinion | Daryl Austin: 'George Floyd's death was a tipping point ... even for many white Republicans like me who once chose to believe — perhaps were taught to believe — that the fight to end institutionalized racism had already been won.' - NBCNewsTHINK
Most of all, this moment requires me to accept that, until I change what's inside of me, I cannot truly change the world around me in the ways that are so deeply needed.
Long ago, I told a friend,"I don't have a racist bone in my body," and I fully believed those words at the time. But having spent time listening to people of color describe how racism plays out in their lives rather than reacting defensively to what I thought they believed, I'm not sure I could say the same thing with conviction today.
This led me to another uncomfortable question I've had to ask myself: Why is this the first time in my life I've really pondered questions like these at all? I realize now that, contrary to what I'd wanted to believe about both myself and America, I've been on the receiving end of countless micro-lessons reinforcing racial stereotypes. Educated by my friends, family members, religious leaders, the media, politicians, teachers and scores of Hollywood movies — I've been influenced in more ways than I can probably even imagine — unconscious prejudices or stereotypes are likely as much a part of who I am as the blood running through my veins.
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