Tobin Miller Shearer’s Advice on Talking to Whites About Racism

Lately I’ve been working through Mennonite resources on racism. While the movement has always been about peacemaking since its 15th century beginning, there has been a fresh investment in peace through anti-racism in recent years which has become even more relevant as BLM has brought the issue back to national attention. A two part panel webinar on “Race, Church, and Change” in the context of Mennonite churches was recently published.

In part 2 of that series (embedded below), Tobin Miller Shearer, professor of History, director of Undergraduate Studies, and director of African American Studies at the University of Montana, gave some helpful insights about talking to whites about racism.

Tobin’s Advice (my paraphrase):

• Don’t attempt to convince anyone. Instead, just make sure you make your ideas as understandable as possible.
• People talk about racism in two very different ways. BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) people talk about racism as a prevalent systemic reality. Whites tallk about racism as individual, personal acts like saying wrong words or direct abuse.
• The principal of integrity is core for whites. Whatever they value — mission, The Gospel, peace, democracy — have their integrity undermined by racism.
• You need to build a specific skill on explaining very well systems and how they work.
• Be careful not to turn from racism to other intersectionalities before the work is done. Racism is difficult emotionally for whites, so their is always pressure to turn towards other forms of marginalization where “I am not the bad guy.”

Since Tobin has led many, many people on this journey, I take this as sound advice. When I think about it, these aspects have been very helpful for my own journey. Maybe these insights can help conversations you’re having.