Earlier on in this paper we discussed the ideology of bourgeois liberalism on the national question and saw that this two-headed monster had a definite impact on the political relations of white PWOC members with both Black and white workers, on the one side conditioning relations of paternalism with Black people and on the other an aloofness from the white masses. The influences of this ideology however are by no means limited to our political relations, nor should we expect that they would be, for they have a decidedly marked impact on our social relations as well. And the concentrated expression of this ideology can be seen when examining the dynamics of inter-racial couples.
A white woman cadre, in her personal relationships, has a definite tendency to date, more or less exclusively, Black men. In these relationships there operates a profound tendency to racist paternalism, a non-struggle, uncritical pat on the head approach to the contradictions in the relationship. Many problems which would normally be the subject of criticism and struggle come to be accepted, given the “limitations” of the Black partner. Yet when asked why it is that she is uninterested in dating white men the response is that they are all racists, and therefore not worthy of her attention. Here we have a classic example of bourgeois liberalism playing itself out in the social realm.
The most common expression of inter-racial coupling in our society are relations between Black men and white women. This is true at the present time, and it has been true historically as well. It is no accident that this is the case, for due to the ideologies of racism and sexism there exists a basis here for a marriage of opportunism. On the side of the white woman racist paternalism in her relations with Black men leads to a liquidation of the struggle against sexism, and on the other hand sexist paternalism on the part of the Black man leads to a liquidation of the struggle to combat racism in the relationship.
Comrade La. in her self-criticism provides some important insights into the role that racism plays in inter-racial relationships. First of all we see the effect of racism in the speed with which the relationship became consolidated for within a month’s time “we were living together and even more profound, I was pregnant.” La. explains that “there was an assumption that the rapid consolidation of our relationship would be a statement about my anti-racism.”
In the context of the relationship itself La’s racism manifests itself as paternalism.
She says, “In our relationship...I capitulated to his sexism...as well as covering up our differences and liquidating struggle around any number of questions. I viewed the basis for this as, poor Z, here he is in a white organization with a white woman. In reality I liquidated our ability to deal with our relationship, our differences, and racism and sexism. The effect of this was to liquidate... my ability to deal with my own racism.”
For Z’s sexism took the form of paternalism which allowed him to capitulate to La’s racism.
La’s racism also had a large effect on her attitude toward social relations with both Black and white people. Basically her attitude toward Black people was one of cynicism and non-struggle insofar as their willingness to accept her relationship with Za. was concerned. This was based on the paternalistic assumption that Black people could not be won to the reality of this relationship due to nationalism. On the other hand she would capitulate to white chauvinism by discouraging white people from coming to her home and limited the social relationships she built with whites on the basis of their inability to deal with their racism. La’s racism thereby had a profound effect on Z, “It served to continuously isolate him from Black people, politically and emotionally...It communicated to him the basic lack of respect for him and Black people that lies at the heart of paternalism.”
Since their relationship began there have been many occasions in which PWOC cadre discussed with La. the problems in her relationship, yet the focus of these discussions was always Z’s sexism. It wasn’t until very recently in fact that anyone in the organization even broached the question of racism with her. Similarly there were some discussions held with Sh. and Wa, while Sh. was a member of the organization, yet here too the only contradiction posed was the contradiction of sexism, Wa’s paternalism was not even considered as a possible problem. PWOC members have also been operating on the assumption that a personal relationship with a Black person is proof positive of one’s anti-racism. Yet in La’s relationship, as in most others of this type, &;racism is the primary contradiction.”
On the other side we have an example of overt racism at play in Comrade O’s relationship to H.. O for some time, has had a stated commitment to another man living in Jamaica. However since he is not here she has developed a relationship with H. H has strong feelings about this relationship and wants to establish a mutual, and long-lasting commitment to it. However 0’s line on this question is that when M. comes to the U.S., that’s the end of their relationship. On the basis of her white chauvinism 0. is trying to defend an exploitative relationship to H, a relationship, which in the absence of any real commitment on her part, exists primarily for the purpose of her personal needs. And on top of this few white members of the PWOC have even questioned, let alone criticized 0’s racism, although it poses a serious problem in the principled recruitment and integration of H. into the organization.
The relationships of white men and Black woman have a different political basis than the type we have just discussed. Here we do not have the basis for a marriage of opportunism but nevertheless these relationships are also confronted with serious contradictions, primarily the duel impact of both racism and sexism in the relation between the white man and the Black woman, a double dose of either overt or paternalistic forms of racism, and sexism; and the same problem of isolation of the Black member of the relationship from the Black community.
Comrade Si’s relationship with Sm. illustrates, quite sharply, the dual impact of overt racism and sexism in a personal relationship. Years ago when Si. and Sm. lived in Powelton. Si. made it a practice to sleep around with other women, white women. Yet among the radical set of Powelton Village, those who were aware of this reality raised no questions about Si’s behavior, including we might add, those who since have joined the PWOC. When it came to a Black woman the struggle against sexism was put aside. And what is even more telling about the racism in this situation was that many of the white “women’s liberationists” in Powelton were the very people relating to Comrade Si!
Comrade Q’s relationship to L. provides an example of a double dose of paternalism. In the struggle around Three Mile Island Q’s line was that the EC was irresponsible for expecting mothers to be separated from their children, when the children were less than two years old. The emphasis of Q’s argument in the meetings was that this would have a damaging impact on the child, that it would effect their psychological development. In the course of the struggle that went on in the DC against this point of view, while L. was upset, Q. became extremely subjective and on several occasions lost all control of his emotions. The driving force of this reaction was not primarily Q’s concern for the child, but rather, on the basis of sexist and racist paternalism, he was completely blinded to the possibility that L. may be able to deal with the crisis as a political question. Having little respect for her in this regard, Q. instead assumed the role of her protector.
What is true in all of these situations is that, independently of the struggle that may develop within the relationship, against both racism and sexism there invariably develops a tendency for the Black partner to experience isolation from the Black community at large. As a result of racism there develops among Black people a quite legitimate reaction against inter-racial relationships. The inter-racial couple is viewed as an attack on the Black community, Black people’s culture and sense of national pride, for it is symbolic of the constant pressure of the white majority to assimilate Black people into the dominant culture. This antagonism to inter-racial relationships then is a defensive reaction, a reaction to racism.
Irrespective of our desires or wishes the impact of inter-racial relationships on Black people is their isolation from the Black masses, and in the context of the revolutionary movement this means isolating the most advanced and conscious forces from the Black liberation movement. In recognition of this reality and its political consequences for the struggle for Black liberation and socialism, it is the perspective of the PWOC that inter-racial relationships should be discouraged, while at the same time we defend, without reservations, the rights of individuals to enter into such relationships. To do otherwise would be to capitulate to the ideology of racism.