It's not a cold that you can get over. There is no anti-racist certification class. It's a set of socioeconomic traps and cultural values that are fired up every time we interact with the world. It is a thing you have to keep scooping out of the boat of your life to keep from drowning in it. I know it's hard work, but it's the price you pay for owning everything.
Interpretation
Racism is a complex issue rooted in societal structures that requires continuous effort to combat.
In this quote, Scott Woods emphasizes that racism is not something that can be easily cured or overcome, like a cold. Instead, it is embedded in the social fabric and cultural values of society, manifesting in everyday interactions. Addressing and dismantling these ingrained beliefs and systems is a continuous process, requiring commitment and effort. The metaphor of scooping water out of a boat speaks to the need for ongoing vigilance and action to prevent being overwhelmed by these societal issues.
In practice
During a panel discussion on social justice, this quote could be used to highlight the ongoing struggles against systemic racism.
To survive, China had to open up to the West. It could not survive otherwise. This was after many millions have died of hunger in a country that was like North Korea is today. Once we became part of global competition, we had to agree to some rules. It's painful, but we had to. Otherwise there was no way to survive.
As Elton John, my days on pop radio are over, and I know that and I accept it and I'm not unhappy about it.
If the world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by ordinary people, people whose love for this life is even greater than their fear. People who can open to the web of life that called us into being
If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.
Whether or not you welcome it, moving house requires you to make choices about the past as you move into the future. What of all of your bits of stuff is truly valued? What should be left behind?
The time has come to choose a new direction of global development, to opt for a new civilization.
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