the matrix

Have you ever seen the movie "The Matrix"?  I think of this movie often when I think about becoming aware of the reality of structural racism. 

In the movie, the main character, Neo, is actually living oppressed inside a software program, an operating system, but he doesn't know it.  He does, however, begin to recognize that something was just not settled in him, and he began to question if there wasn't something unknown to him outside of his daily vision and experience.  In the 2 minute clip below, Morpheus, another character who was aware of the Matrix, offers Neo a red pill or a blue pill.  If Neo chose the blue pill, he could go on living in the false state of being, and if he took the red pill, he would be made aware of truths of what was controlling him and realities that he had previously not seen or known. 

For white people who wish to become more aware of truths of our operating system and realities regarding race and racism, "taking the red pill" means educating ourselves with historical perspectives that we were not taught, and listening and learning to women and men of color who are very aware of "the Matrix of oppression" and can share their strength, wisdom, and experience as guides toward human freedom and justice. 

Also, I recommend the movie if you haven't seen it.  :)

The Matrix clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE7PKRjrid4