Belonging doesn’t require a signed affidavit of acceptance
Alex Hanson’s article on author Emily Walton and her study of our rural population in relation to the largely non-white arrival of newcomers is an excellent read.
Some observations: for people of color to move to an area that’s considerably outside of their unique cultural experience and expectations is ripe for disappointment. Along with the region being overwhelmingly white, northern New England culture isn’t inherently warm and cuddly. Our Puritan forebears laid the groundwork for an austere, emotionally managed temperament and life outlook. And it’s still largely with us.
Yet along with this generalized historical backdrop, there lies a respect for the individual’s personal space and behaviors. Established, formal communal involvement is not deemed necessary. Having a local person treat any newcomer with outright disrespect or condensation is certainly inappropriate and hurtful under any circumstance, much in contrast to the favored concept of individual responsibility and self regulation.
Color blindness is a fantasy. We engage others on a number of emotional and psychological levels. Most being preconceived. Though pleasant novelties do arise. Base judgements and slights have as much to do with the introduction of manufactured improprieties (hurtful words equate with violence; born prejudiced; etc) as with straightforward ones.
Present day DEI has a hollow ring to it, being largely a hangover from the Biden years, where the gross over simplification of blaming white culture had become the established norm. Obviously this caught on locally, as being noted in Alex’s article.
DEI members specifically, and people of color by and large, would be far wiser to shift gears, and free themselves from blaming white people.
Evidently there’s a strong belief by newcomers of color, that they don’t really belong in the community and are not seen as real or valuable. Becoming disillusioned that the new culture hasn’t come to comfortably accept them, and act accordingly, is understandable. Yet belonging doesn’t require a kiss on each cheek along with a bear hug. These citizens are certainly a select subset, worthy of being heard and befriending. Belonging doesn’t require a signed affidavit of acceptance. An unceremonious, less visible disposition of human approval and acceptance is more in tune with many of our natures.