Learning to Do Better

 Growing up in the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement, kids, including myself, were raised to be bigots. I am going to in future posts go into more details of the harmful stereotypes and ideologies that were taught. 

For now, what I'd like to say is that the way we were raised was extremely toxic. The IFB has its roots in white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, and antisemitism. While they'd claim not be these things, they most definitely are. It wasn't uncommon to hear racial and homophobic slurs being used. Their hate towards minority groups will sometimes spill over into violence or remaining silent when violence is being carried out towards these groups. IFB schools and colleges teach a very one-sided warped view of the world and history that promotes their way of thinking, and it is presented as the only truth.

In my own past, I know I've made racists jokes. I've looked down on other people for not fitting into whatever box I thought they should fit into. I've sat quietly while my friends did and said things I knew in my gut was wrong. I'm responsible for all of that and am truly sorry what I took part in it. In the last ten years especially, I have done a lot of work deconstructing, learning, and growing, and I strive to continue doing so.

Advice I would give to someone who was raised in the same way I was, is to educate yourself. Read or listen historically accurate books or lectures. Listen to people when they are sharing their experiences about living as a minority. Don't get defensive. Just listen. Deconstructing isn't going to be easy or comfortable, and it isn't meant to be. You couldn't control how you were raised, but you can control how to go forward in your life. Go forward being a better person and doing better.