Mayella Ewell is one of the most complex characters in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” She is a white woman who makes sexual advances toward her Black neighbor, Tom Robinson. When he refuses, she falsely accuses him of rape. During Tom’s trial, we learn that Mayella’s father is a drunkard who abuses her. Does this excuse the fact that her actions ultimately led to Tom’s death? No! Yet, we understand that Mayella also suffers from systemic violence and oppression — within her home. The situation isn’t black and white.
Sadly, there is truth to the scenario of false accusations. Carolyn Bryant was a white woman who falsely accused Black teenager Emmett Till of coming on to her in Mississippi in 1955 — which led to the boy’s lynching. Carolyn died recently without ever facing criminal repercussions.
It should surprise nobody when white women are perceived as part of America’s racial injustice problem.
I am a white woman raised in a small white town in rural Pennsylvania. “Vote Right, Vote White” signs appeared on the outskirts of town during the 2008 election season when we elected our country’s first Black president.
It’s important to understand the confusion that white women sometimes feel about their role in the struggle. Some want to help advance social justice, while also feeling trapped in historical and intergenerational patterns. There can be uncertainty about when and how to use our voices.
In the wake of George Floyd’s death, I saw many white women — who I perceived to have good intentions of being allies for social justice — get harshly criticized online. While trying to be supportive, we made mistakes by occupying too much airtime, centering ourselves rather than Black women and/or being “fragile.” While the lessons learned were crucial, I fear the impact of those interactions was to reinforce uncertainty about speaking up. Within my own circles, I heard stories of well-intentioned white women holding back based on the belief that their voices were unwelcome and disruptive in the racial justice conversation. Again, the situation isn’t black and white.
How do we counter America’s polarization, rising hate crimes and the ongoing threat of political violence? Those of us who oppose these things must raise our voices individually and collectively to promote nonviolence and unity in diversity. We must coalesce in words and action around the core value that the supremacy of any one group in society is detrimental for all of us.
We can’t afford for important segments of the population, such as white women, to be hesitant about speaking up when they encounter racial injustice.
Yet figuring out how to respect, embrace and stand up for each other despite our differences is not easy. We must all learn more respectful, equitable and empathetic ways of interacting with each other to build lasting cohesion in our diverse society.
Let us follow the example of the white women civil rights activists before us. If we stand together for non-violence and the value of diversity, we can demonstrate that a new American culture of unity among women and men of diverse personal characteristics is more than just a dream. It can also become reality.
Meanwhile, we can all work harder not to harm others — no matter who they are or what they look like. Let’s celebrate Juneteenth by committing to building a more peaceful society. The change begins with you.