Tag det nu ikke så tungt: minoritetsdanskere bliver affejet, når de vil tale om racisme

In this Sunday’s column, I discuss how difficult it can be for minoritized folks to talk about their experiences with racism and discrimination. The response is often doubt, scepticism, “blame the victim” responses, denial, and more. This happens even when there is no direct wish to cause harm.

I point out that there can be several perspectives (and experiences). Denying minoritized folk’s experience and knowledge in favor of a majoritized perspective is a serious problem. Not only is it undemocratic at its core, it is also a form of violence and oppression. Denial can (in part) have its point of departure in very the different experience minoritized and majoritized have with racism and discrimination. Many minoritized folks experience such challenges often (even daily) and in a wide variety of forms. Many majoritised people do not. But that does not mean that the experiences of racism and discrimination aren’t real.

The point is that this can mean contradictory knowledge and perspectives. When it comes to discrimination and racism, folks may be standing on very different sides of a proverbial bridge. The question becomes, how can they move toward each other with respect, acknowledgement, and validation? (The picture of the Queen may seem odd, but it’s because I make a reference to her New years speech)