NPR's Michel Martin led two challenging conversations about race this week, focusing on fearful perceptions of African-American men and how these fears play out in people's everyday lives. Guests including author and Georgetown University Law professor Paul Butler examined the research and the complicated emotions behind this fear.
"When you're in an elevator or walking behind somebody and you feel like you have to perform to make them feel safe, it's like apologizing for your existence," Butler says.
Others have already joined the conversation through social media. We heard from a white woman haunted by memories of being mugged by black men years ago, from a black pastor who has had the doors of some churches closed to him because of his race, and from another black man who described dealing with this fear as "heartbreaking."
Now we want to hear from you. Join us for a Twitter chat with Michel Martin (@NPRMichel) and Code Switch's Gene Demby (@GeeDee215) today at 12:30 p.m. ET. Join in by using the hashtag #FearAndRace. We'll be collecting some of your messages here in this post.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDAzMjM2NDYzMDEyMzc1Njk5NjAxNzY3OQ001))
@NPRMichel @MorningEdition I had to pull over on my way home from hospital to listen fully. Black Men speaking about #FearAndRace. . . tears
— Sheila Downing (@SheilaDowningRN) March 31, 2015
@DrTonyJohnson Been quick-smiling at black men forever. I now think it's to say "I'm not afraid.β Is this reverse profiling? #fearandrace
— Karen Schwartzkopf (@KarenRFM) March 31, 2015
Spoke with a young black family man last night whom has been arrested 5 times since moving to my Texas town from Detroit. #fearandrace
— Robbie Ryan (@RobbieRyanMusik) March 31, 2015
I'm 6'2" and little white ladies are startled by me when I walk through the grocery store. #fearandrace
— Jack Elliott (@Jacksmashmetal) March 31, 2015
Q1: Is there something about race that makes fear stick? Share using #FearAndRace
— Michel Martin (@NPRMichel) March 31, 2015
#FearAndRace @NPRMichel It is a soul-stealing state to always be viewed as a monster, to smile and hold down the pain that others can't see.
— Call Me A Dreamer (@MisterC2u2) March 31, 2015
Every time I walk in a store in the winter time, I always take off my hoodie and take my hands out of my pockets #fearandrace
— E. (@E_Swagg20) March 31, 2015
having to repeatedly explains things only to have them "reasoned" away #fearandrace
— Eric Atkinson (@dreds71) March 31, 2015
Q2: Some say that fear is a rational response to higher rates of crime by Black people? What about that? #FearAndrace
— Michel Martin (@NPRMichel) March 31, 2015
@NPRMichel They're conditioned that is to be fearful of us because that's a good majority of what they see on their screens #FearAndRace
— say hwat nah? (@ThatOneFunkKid) March 31, 2015
@NPRMichel Crimes committed by blacks seem to be what is aired on news stations most often. Almost like conditioning. #FearAndRace
— Susie Carmichaelβs Ponytails (@My_Beloved_One) March 31, 2015
Q3: Have you ever been afraid of an African-American for reasons you later realized were irrational? #FearAndRace
— Michel Martin (@NPRMichel) March 31, 2015
A3. Certainly when I was younger living in LA. Got on bus going South instead of North. BM helped me get home. #FearAndRace @NPRMichel
— Christina Torres Cawdery (@biblio_phile) March 31, 2015
@NPRMichel Q3. Black men having to size up other black men to determine if they are a threat is irrational. But we do it. #FearAndRace
— Panthera Leo (@1pastorleo) March 31, 2015
@NPRMichel Not me in particular but family was. Institutionalized fear of black men starts at home 4 many of us. I had to actively undue it.
— LC call me DR. Rodriguez (@mexica_tiahui) March 31, 2015
Q4: If you're a Black man, in which situations do you feel most unsafe? #FearAndRace
— Michel Martin (@NPRMichel) March 31, 2015
@NPRMichel #fearandrace 1) police officers searching for another Black male 1) drunk white folks
— Tim Eure (@supa_tim) March 31, 2015
@NPRMichel Interactions with police! I have turned down random streets just to make sure I didn't get pulled over Sad but true #FearAndRace
— Cory J. Anderson (@CoryTheCoach) March 31, 2015
Q5: Do you think fear of black men plays a role in hiring decision? #FearAndRace
— Michel Martin (@NPRMichel) March 31, 2015
@NPRMichel Fear of being seen as too 'down' w/ other black men I interview when white people are around. #FearAndRace
— SchlubComandante Marcos (@MuchoMaas) March 31, 2015
@NPRMichel Absolutely. In the form of euphemisms like: "he's not a good cultural fit in our org"
— Nivia honors Pepper LaBeija & Octavia St Laurent (@Lanooba) March 31, 2015
Conversations need to change from "racial bias COULD affect crime" to "how systemic racism IS AFFECTING crime, incarceration" #FearAndRace
— Michelle Dutro (@MichelleDutro) March 31, 2015
