Being Liberal is Not an Oppression Pass

Listen below, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream your podcasts.

Today’s episode is a throwback to one of my favorite episodes I produced on a previous podcast of mine called Sway Them in Color. In this solo episode, I unpack the concept of what I call an oppression pass, which is the belief that because you are liberal, marginalized yourself, like black people/have one black friend/are married to a black person/have black children you don’t participate in or perpetuate in white supremacy.

My dear friends, I’m here to let you know oppression passes are being handed out like it’s six flags, but they don’t exist. In this episode I unpack five key narrative myths many liberal people, in particular white people (although anyone who claims to be liberal can fall into these traps), believe around racism that keeps white supremacy alive including:

• myth 1: I know/am married to/friends with a black person, therefore I am not racist

• myth 2: systemic racism doesn't exist, social outcomes are always from individual effort/character flaw

• myth 3: the only form of protest that's acceptable is peaceful protest

• myth 4: I am marginalized myself (gay, poor, have a disability etc) therefore I can't be racist

• myth 5: I identify as a liberal, thus I am not racist