I Used to Be Racist: thoughts

I Used to Be Racist

The title of my new comic says it all. It is about looking back on my own schoolboy views with shame.

In both primary and secondary school, the schoolyard was filled with racist, homophobic and sexist attitudes. And I adopted the norms of this environment.

My comic explores the conditions that allowed me to adopt these attitudes. And the ways that I shifted my own attitudes towards tolerance.

Past self and Present self: different attitudes

A theme of the comic is acknowledging that I once had problematic views that now embarrass me.

I am publishing this comic because I haven’t heard many people ‘fessing up to their own past shortcomings.

To me, this is a critical ingredient missing from the narrative that I see from today’s ‘social justice warrior’-types.

Admitting one’s own past complicity acknowledges one’s role in the problem.Importantly, it gives space for those with problematic attitudes today to change their minds in the future. Rather than continuously attacking two-dimensional ‘bad guys’, it allows space for them to grow into better people.

Active and passive racists

Looking back on this as an adult, I feel that society failed me, in allowing me to adopt racist and bigoted attitudes by default.

Half of the problem is the active bigots: the ones who tell racist jokes, and actively promote intolerance.

But the other half of the problem is the so-called ‘tiny racists’: the ones who stay silent when the bigots express their views. This clever video by the New Zealand government shows that it is the silence of these tiny racists which implicitly condones the views of the active bigots.

Educating myself out of my own attitudes

In my comic, I outline the way my mind changed. The way that I became tolerant and progressive.

Think about it: I had to educate myself out of my own attitudes. That is no mean feat.

In my case, it was influential rock bands (shout out to this song by Aussie punk band Frenzal Rhomb), and a shifting friendship cohort that encouraged me to change my mind.

Positive early reader feedback

Last week, I exhibited I Used to Be Racist as part of a networking event in Canberra.

I gave a 60 second talk about the premise of the comic—(see the action photo!)—and allowed people to read the comic for themselves.

Feedback from those who spoke to me was positive. It seems that my experience is common to many people. Many of us once held views and attitudes that we today find unacceptable.

If this topic stirs feelings or memories in you, I encourage you to share my comic amongst your friends as a conversation-starter.

Click here to read the comic.