A recent writer to the Magickal Mail Bag asked about racism and prejudice for African American Witches / Pagans. I think we ought to expand on that subject and further talk about it in terms of prejudice against: race; gender; sexual orientation; tradition, etc. Let's talk about this shit. I think it's something lots of people can contribute to, in the conversation and would be able to produce major letters about. I'm sure much can be ranted on the subject from her Magically Delicousness.

Post edited by: ravenfeather, at: 2008/02/01 23:43

Lol, that was actually me. I really think it is so disappointing that there is such discrimination among fellow pagans. You would expect the people in paganism to be more open minded.

This is something that happens more than one might expect. I have seen it, and I have experienced it. Ironically, I get it from all sides of people who should be my brethren. In the pagan community, I have been often ostracised for my politics. (I was also recently banned from a political forum I enjoy... for mentioning that I am a witch.) Our community is one that is far more hypocritical than it should be. We need to nip this in the bud right now.

<Fred Sanford voice>
"Get me my bud nippers!
</Fred Sanford voice>


-Orion

I think a good way to combat this is to say what it is. If tells a person of color that they cannot be Pagan because they are not white, they need to be called racists loudly and often. They need to be told that it's not a "theological difference", it's a part of racism and that it will not be tolerated by those of us that are pagans. People will use anything they can to justify their racism (religion, science, etc), and no one should have any tolerance for it.

It's the same as with sexual indescretion. If someone tells a student that they have to have sex with them in order to get into the coven or become a witch, and that student is not a willing participant but feels coerced, it is sexual assault. That instructor/coven leader is a rapist, pure and simple.

Racism and sexual assault perverts our religion and those people should be weeded out and called out forthwith.