A Note About “Hypersensitivity”
When a person of color dares to point out an instance of racism, or even more pointedly, accuse someone of being racist, the response from white people or their apologists is often that PoCs are being “hypersensitive”.
Ordinarily I am very critical of the use of this word, but today it occurred to me that perhaps I am arguing the wrong point.
An analogy:
If I slash your arm, then hit the wound with a bat, then dropkick you in that same place with spiked boots, your arm would be a mite “sensitive”, would it not? Sure. Then some time passes, and the wound heals over somewhat, but you still have a bruise and/or scar.
Because my savage assault on your arm was “in the past”, would that make it okay for me to poke you – even ever so gently – right in your fucking wound? Or would that make me a major asshole? And who is wrong in this situation, you for pointing out that “Hey, that still hurts!” or me, for being an insensitive asshole?
Let’s say I bumped into your sore arm by mistake. What would be the right thing to do in that situation? To apologize or to criticize you for being too sensitive?
It’s not that the racism-apologist is incorrect in referring to the person of color as hypersensitive. Certainly we may be, but we are justified in being such, because old wounds – systemic institutional wounds – are slow to heal. And someone being a racist asshole – even if only subtly, “by accident”, or “poking fun” – is still going to hurt.
So maybe, instead of stating the obvious, that people of color are “hypersensitive” to racism, white people and their apologists should be more careful not to be assholes.
This reminds me of some literature I read on historic trauma experienced by Aboriginals. There's obviously a historical context that people accusing others of being "hypersensitve" need to be conscious of, especially because this context still informs a lot of stereotypes, hateful behaviours and social barriers today. And of course there are current problems that can also be traumatic, even to those not directly experiencing them.
I think a lot of people like to think that racism is no longer a problem and that the past has no influence on today. There's this idea that people are just imagining racism and looking for reasons to complain. It's more than unfortunate. I imagine it would be really hard to know that historically and presently, people are hateful toward your race. Shame on anyone who thinks you can just forget that or ignore that. Denial of the significance of these post-memories and current memories is in itself a kind of hate.
Great post.
What does "hypersensitive" even mean? Whites are "hypersensitive" too if you want, since many of them are quick to point at blacks for using "race card" and "crying racism". Also, many of them are hypersensitive when it comes to the R-word (racist).
You can't blame a black person for thinking about racism because he or she has to live with it! When your life is shaped by your skin colour you must notice the injustice.
Ok, say you're a white person who isn't very social. One day you're rude to a black guy because you're a generally rude person. He would think you're racist instead of a misanthrope. So what? Why would you care, why would you feel the need to "defend" yourself with "I'm not racist, I'm not racist!" Racism isn't about you, white guy, or your feelings.
Racism isn't about you, white guy, or your feelings.
That really is the point that they don't understand.
It’s not that the racism-apologist is incorrect in referring to the person of color as hypersensitive. Certainly we may be, but we are justified in being such, because old wounds – systemic institutional wounds – are slow to heal.
Wonderfully stated, Heval!!! Talk about an Ankhesenology moment.
Hang on…let me decide which part to use….
yes!!!! kudos to you on this! I'm so tired of the sideways looks given to me by my african-american counterparts when i recognize the subtle day-to-day racism, whether it's in a restaurant, a bookstore, or on television. i receive more crap from african-americans who can't or refuse to see it.
i've finally reached the point where i can't bite my lips until i'm bleeding, and now educationally point out the discrepancies i see.
I see Heval's point and he's right about the impact of slavery. I might take a few decades to erase emotional past hurts because they are passed on down from father to son. It also doesn't help that there are so many bad examples for Black youth out there. Modern Hip-hop promotes ignorance and bigotry. And new forms of media such as video games are very racist.
I want to help put a stop to it when I make my games and movies.
And I have no problem with people claiming Racism as long as the person is being blatant but it is a little much to call someone a Racist for simple being an Asshole. You should call them an Asshole, or Son of a Bitch instead. And the real reason White people call Blacks hypersensitive is we feel you don't allow us to say the same thing if the opposite is true.
There is no opposite. There is no such thing as reverse racism. Racism isn't just about having negative feelings, stating or doing negative things to people because they are of a certain race; it has everything to do with power. There is nothing that people of color can do to white people along racial lines that is the equivalent or even the analogue to white racism against them.
And in fact, there is no "racism" on the part of people of color that is not a response to white racism and/or white supremacy in general. No one hates white people for their skin color or for their language or their way of dressing or their culture. They hate white people because of how white people treat them – both in the present, and historically. It is reactive, while on the other hand, white racism towards PoCs is for the very fact of their differences, that is, their not being white.
Finally, this idea that only blatant racism should be called out is pure folly. Blatant racism is a joke. The more subtle and institutional variety is far more lasting and far more dangerous.