8 responses to “Racial Equity Anti Hero: John F Kennedy”

1. 

   Michelle Wicks Cypher

   February 9, 2021

   The reality is that we all have our own rulebook as to where “the line” is with Black people. I used to think I didn’t, but I was wrong. I am actively working to move that line farther and farther as I also work to erase the line. I know it is stubborn and won’t easily be erased, so also moving it farther out. I know many people who think that BIPOC should not be mistreated, but do believe they are still inferior. I am ashamed to admit that I have discovered those pockets where I have bought into the idea of negative stereotypes that white supremacist society likes to paint to blame Black people for the way we whites treat them. And never taking into account the systems and oppression that put them in those positions in the first place. Like, where they live or how well they do in school.

2. 

   Valerie Polichar

   February 9, 2021

   That’s a good point. And white women’s tears in particular.

3. 

   Valerie Polichar

   February 9, 2021

   That’s a really good point about looking at all areas of one’s life. I need to think through that too.

4. 

   Emily Holzknecht

   February 7, 2021

   Your mention that the anti-trans arguments are almost always about women’s restrooms brings this post back to the Ladybird Johnson post, showing how women’s tears and protecting women is frequently used as the reasoning behind upholding white supremacy.

5. 

   Emily Holzknecht

   February 7, 2021

   Relational congruency, another way of being relentlessly reliable.

6. 

   Emily Holzknecht

   February 7, 2021

   *crossposted* Clearly JFK had his own rulebook as to where “the line” was with Black people. He did not see them as equal. He did not want a world where Black people and white people have equal rights, and he used his position of power to punish a successful Black person who “stepped out of line.” Marriage discrimination always feels doubly ugly because marriage is (theoretically) about love and that love can cause such violence in others for whom this is none of their business is starkly supremacist.
   My guide to what is appropriate behavior must be the North Star, not some supremacist construction of what is appropriate for different groups. My lane is systemic racism and the behavior of white institutions and white people like me and how that behavior harms Black and brown people. My lane is not what Black people should or should not be doing in their personal lives.

7. 

   Rebecca McClinton

   February 6, 2021

   In all honesty, I don’t know a ton about the legacy of JFK and racism, so went and did some poking around. Looks like a pretty mixed bag, some glorification around his calling racism a moral issue, and then things about how he wasn’t trusted by the Black community for the way he consorted with southern folks who caused a lot of harm to people of color, and lauding of senators who were former slave owners. Tiffany’s words here certainly fit in with the latter. I’m reminded in my readings and in this post how important relational congruency is, how I can’t build trust and authentic relationship without looking at all areas of my life and interpersonal interactions through an anti-racist lens.

8. 

   Valerie Polichar

   February 5, 2021

   Kennedy’s support of civil rights legislation was always piecemeal, never bold. Maybe it was reluctant as well? This information (which I hadn’t heretofore known) doesn’t entirely surprise me. It reminds me of people I’ve known who appear supportive of LGB rights but then say “trans women in women’s bathrooms* is inappropriate.” [*the argument is almost always made about women’s restrooms]. If you’re drawing this kind of a line (e.g. the “I support Black people’s rights but I don’t want one to marry my sister”), you aren’t actually an ally.