WHY PEOPLE DON´T WANT TO SEE THE TRUTH
- diegorojas41
- Mar 15
- 2 min read
Many people refuse to acknowledge the lasting impact of slavery and racism. No matter how much data you show them, no matter how clear the facts are, they shake their heads and say, “That was a long time ago. It has nothing to do with me.”
But why? Why don’t they want to see what’s right in front of them?
1. It Makes Them Uncomfortable
Admitting that systemic racism is real means admitting that their success isn’t only because of hard work. It means acknowledging that the playing field has never been fair. And that’s hard to accept - especially for people who believe in the idea of "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps."
See Martin Luther King explaining the legacy of slavery and bootstraps.
2. They Fear Losing What They Have
When people hear words like “reparations” or “racial justice,” they assume it means taking something away from them. They think fairness for Black Americans means less for them. But justice isn’t about punishing one group - it’s about making things right for everyone.
3. They’ve Been Misinformed
Many Americans were never properly taught about slavery, Jim Crow laws, redlining, or the many ways racism was built into policies and laws. Schools often teach a whitewashed version of history, leaving out key facts. If you’ve been told your whole life that racism ended with the Civil Rights Movement, then of course you’d struggle to see the truth.
4. They Take It Personally
When racism is discussed, many white people feel like they are being blamed. They hear “white privilege” and think it means they didn’t work hard. But privilege doesn’t mean life was easy - it means race wasn’t an extra obstacle. It means their families had opportunities that others didn’t.
5. It’s Easier to Ignore the Problem
If someone admits that racism still shapes our society, then they have to ask, “What do we do about it?” That’s a tough question. It’s easier to pretend everything is fine and say, “Slavery ended, get over it.”
6. They Live in an Echo Chamber
Many people only watch news or follow social media accounts that reinforce their existing beliefs. If their favorite TV channel says systemic racism is a “lie” every day, they will believe it - no matter what facts are out there.
7. They Think Racism Is Over
Many point to Barack Obama’s presidency or successful Black athletes and celebrities as proof that “anyone can make it in America.” But individual success stories don’t erase the deep racial wealth gap, housing discrimination, or wage disparities that still exist.
The Truth Won’t Disappear
Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away. The racial wealth gap is real. The impact of slavery didn’t vanish when it was abolished - it transformed into new forms of inequality. The sooner we face that reality, the sooner we can build a more just and fair society.
It’s time to stop looking away. It’s time to be empathetic and compassionate with your fellow brothers and sisters. It's time to start listening, learning, and taking action.
Thanks for reading. Abrazos.
Diego Rojas
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