"Une fois que vous commencez à expliquer ou excuser tous les événements sur des bases raciales, vous commencez à vous adonner à une mythologie périlleuse."

When you start to see every event through the lens of race, you're stepping into a dangerous territory. This idea boils down to the fact that attributing everything to race can oversimplify complex situations and lead to misguided beliefs.

This concept has roots in history, especially amid racial tensions and civil rights movements. Think back to the 1960s in the United States. The fight for equality was at its peak. Amid all this, some people began to see every social issue solely in terms of race. It was understandable but problematic. Not every event, conflict, or policy decision was purely about black and white. Some were about economics, opportunity, or plain old human nature. The danger comes when we ignore these nuances and start weaving a narrative that's overly simplistic and, frankly, often wrong.

Let me give you a real-life example. Imagine a company facing backlash for not promoting enough minority employees. If they start blaming this entirely on racial bias, they might miss other issues at play. Maybe there's a lack of mentoring programs for those employees. Perhaps there's an overall problem with how promotions are handled. By focusing only on race, the company could miss out on real solutions and instead perpetuate a myth that blinds them to other critical factors.

So, how can you apply this idea in your own life? Start by questioning your assumptions. When something happens and you find yourself jumping to a conclusion based on race, take a step back. Ask yourself, "What else could be influencing this?" Look at the bigger picture. It's about being open-minded and not falling into the trap of a single, simplistic explanation.

Picture this: You're at work, and you notice your colleague, Raj, didn't get the promotion he was eyeing. You've seen him work hard, and you think, "Maybe it's because of his ethnicity." It's a natural thought, but let's dig deeper. Before jumping to conclusions, consider other factors. Maybe Raj's skills didn't align perfectly with the new role. Perhaps there was another candidate with more experience. Or maybe the decision-makers had a different vision for the team. By exploring all these possibilities, you avoid falling into the trap of a single narrative and ensure you're being fair to everyone involved.

In essence, it's about balance and awareness. Race can play a role in many events, but it's rarely the only factor. Recognizing this helps us see the world more clearly and act more justly. We avoid the "perilous mythology" of simplifying everything into a racial narrative, which can damage relationships and hinder real progress.

So next time you catch yourself ready to explain an event or outcome solely on racial grounds, pause. Think about what else might be at play. Embrace complexity. We live in a world rich with diverse influences, and understanding that can lead to more thoughtful, effective actions in our personal and professional lives.