Their suggestions are, on one level, reasonable, mostly grounded in common sense, but these leaders traffic in respectability politics-the idea that if black {or other marginalized} people simply behave in "culturally approved" ways, if we mimic the dominant culture, it will be more difficult to suffer the effects of racism. Respectability politics completely overlook institutional racism and the ways in which the education system, the social welfare system, and the justice system only reinforce many of the problems the black community faces.
In her book "Bad Feminist," Roxane Gay critiques certain leaders who advocate for respectability politics among marginalized communities. She argues that while their suggestions may seem reasonable and grounded in common sense, they are ultimately misguided. These leaders promote the idea that if black individuals conform to culturally accepted norms and behaviors, they will face fewer challenges related to racism. This perspective oversimplifies the complexities of racial discrimination.
Gay emphasizes that respectability politics fails to address the deeper issues of institutional racism embedded in various systems such as education, social welfare, and justice. Instead of offering real solutions, such approaches ignore the systemic barriers that continue to hinder the progress of black communities. By focusing solely on individual behavior, they detract from the urgent need to confront and dismantle the structures of inequality that perpetuate racial injustices.
