The idea that racism will die out with the white baby boomers is a myth perpetuated by white millennials who do not want to take action and responsibility for calling out racism in their own generation. White millennials are not inherently less racist than white baby boomers and racism does not disappear with a generation. Racism is a construct that exists in all aspects of society, from politics to economics to social norms and activities. It can only be eradicated with constant and fervent dismantling of these powerful constructs in place and new generations must keep working at it. I’ve heard too many fellow white people say that when all these ‘racist old people’ die off then we’ll be fine but we all know that racism is not limited to old white people and that the alt-right is littered with white millennials. Check your friends and family on bigoted and racist remarks. Be a good ally. Sitting back for old people to die is not good allyship and you’ll soon see that they are not the only racists in power.
In short: Racism will not die on it’s own… we have to actively kill it.
White people have probably been saying “racism will die out with the old whites” since the 1600s. It’s a feel good trope for white people; a comforting lie that conveniently takes the responsibility of ending racism off the current generation and basically says, “the only real action against racism that today’s white youth need to take is just…wait…and instead do absolutely nothing”
Japan’s Kayashima Station is built around
a 700-year-old tree. When town officials
planned to cut down the tree, which is
associated with a local deity, there was
public outcry. Rumors began to spread
about the tree being angry and cursing
anyone who touched it. Station officials
didn’t want to tempt fate, so they built
the train platform around the tree and
surrounded it with a small shrine. SourceSource 2Source 3
Japan just survived the opening of a Supernatural episode.
