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A Second Look at History

Steven Jarose

Thank you, Andrea Raethke of the Editorial Board and Steve Orr of the Democrat and Chronicle, for bringing to our attention a matter of racist symbolism depicted on the historic Dentzel Carousel at Ontario Beach Park.

To many White Rochesterians, it is startling to confront our racist past. If this were not so, we would not be reading 'well meaning' responses such as "It wasn't meant to be offensive," (really?), "Preservation overrides political correctness," "it's only been recently that people have complained," (in the aftermath of the confederate flag removal from the State Capitol in South Carolina) and "If America is so bad, please leave."

It's time to remove our blinders and experience the world from the perspective of groups marginalized and targeted by what we consider (insist on) as normal, acceptable and "American."

It's time to look at the privilege of not having to look at privilege. This is not about attacking one's moral character, or hard work, or struggle to make ends meet. It's more about a systemic imbalance of a viewpoint that is skewed in our favor in ways we don't realize or have to think about.

Confronting this imbalance is not designed to silence discussion, but to bring it to a different level of engagement. But those who can't 'see' that, seem justified (as their privilege allows) to dismiss, deflect, belittle and criticize any call for removal of the offensive caricatures.

Those who think we are 'rewriting' US history by removing the panels have yet to comprehend that US history is written by those in power, those who control resources and those who had the good fortune to be born white and male.

I wonder why we think we are a better judge of whether or not something is racist when we're not someone who has to deal with racism on a daily basis. Being accused of racism is hardly on the same as being subjected to racism at work, in the media, while driving, accessing health care, or in the political arena. Thus the popularity of Senator Ted Cruz to a broad conservative base when he says "We want to take America back to OUR values."

Let's remove the panel in question. Let's place it is a museum and put it in context as a reminder of our past and where we are today. Let's not lull ourselves into the illusion that we are post-racial. It is possible to open our hearts to each other and become a country that is truly inclusive and welcoming. But it will take courage to do so, and a good dose of humility.