Topic #20: Do You Have Passive Progressive Disorder? A Checklist for Self-Diagnosis

Are you having trouble sleeping at night? Do you experience a constant nagging feeling that something just isn't right? It's possible that you may be suffering from an affliction spreading like wildfire across specific regions of the United States: Passive Progressive Disorder (PPD). PPD sufferers self-identify as liberal and progressive, while only exerting mild, if any, effort toward acting on these values in everyday life. PPD works in direct opposition to social change by deluding its sufferers into believing they are doing something because of the way they feel about issues, when in reality they are doing nothing, or at least not enough to make any real impact. Sufferers are especially unwilling to perform any of the obligations of their progressive identity that cause them discomfort. 

If you have concerns about your pre-disposition to this increasingly common disorder, you can use this Checklist for Passive Progressive Disorder as a tool to help you self diagnose.

You are likely suffering from Passive Progressive Disorder if you agree with half or more of the following statements:

1. I don't know what Juneteenth is, and/or I don't think it is significant enough to be celebrating it today (evidenced by the fact that I am not celebrating it). 
2. I donate money to a specific cause, or a variety of causes, and do not choose to donate money to a racial justice organization led by people of color, or an organization that researches and reports on racial inequity (which is an indicator of the causes I believe are most important). 
3. I voted for Bernie or Hillary and I often remind people of this fact, as if voting absolves me from performing other regular actions for social justice.
4. I am not aware of the platform and demands created by the Movement for Black Lives. I don't know the difference between Black Lives Matter and The Movement for Black Lives and I haven't developed a response to #AllLivesMatter, even though I strongly disagree with those who say it. 
5. I watch movies like Selma and actually believe (and may even say out loud) that if I had been around during the Civil Rights Movement I would have been playing an active role in anti-racism, and yet I am not currently engaged in anti-racist activism. 
6. I think I know a good amount about racism and privilege so I don't prioritize deepening my own anti-racism and white privilege education.
7. I checked off my cultural education/awareness box by taking one elective course in college. Or two. When asked about my cultural awareness or education about race and ethnicity I refer to these courses I took, even if they were a decade or more ago.
8. I don't actively attempt to diversify my social or professional circles, and use excuses like "I just don't know any people of color," or "There aren't any people of color around me that I could get to know."
9. My kids do not know the names of any historical black or brown Americans except Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez. 
10. I can explain the role Abraham Lincoln played in ending slavery, but not the role played by Frederick Douglass, without looking it up. Same for my kids.
11. I actually believe (and may even say out loud), that I do not have implicit biases against people of color, despite the mountains of research showing that we all, including people of color, have race-based biases because racism is embedded in our cultural practices, policies, institutions, language, and the very air we breathe (or water we drink).
12. I easily share complaints about the 45th president, his administration, or other injustices for which I want action and accountability, but I tolerate the murder of people of color by police by saying nothing.
13. I choose not to share stories about racism on my own social media page in order to protect my own, or my friends' and family members' white fragility.
14. I may claim that I do nothing about race-based oppression because I don't know what to do.
15. I am pretty comfortable complaining openly about anything political but I hesitate to openly and regularly complain about racial injustice with equal frequency and passion. 
16. I believe that by not personally engaging in race-based discrimination and prejudice I am doing my part to fight racism.
17. I can't define systemic racism and give three clear examples, including data.
18. I haven't thought deeply about the fact that expressing anger and tears about incidents of racial injustice could be offensive to people of color, especially if my emotions are not paired with action.
19. I thought of excuses while reading this list, like "Well, I don't even use Facebook," or "My kids also know about Sojourner Truth," instead of considering which parts of the list might apply to me and how I could do better.
20. I think this list is unnecessary, aggressive, patronizing, or otherwise annoying (even if I can't put my finger on what about it I dislike so much). It's more important for me to dislike the author or the message than to confront my own role in perpetuating our undeniably racist society.

This list is non-exhaustive and will be updated as I continue my own anti-racism education. I hope you'll join me. If you're eager to get started with treatment for this condition, please start here and here.