One reason that academia is having trouble "solving" racism in their departments is because they treat interpersonal racism/microaggressions as "personal differences" instead of what they really are

I also feel like they underestimate just how EXHAUSTING dealing with racism is and just how much time is spent just managing emotions, coping, venting, crying, etc. later

They don't fully understand just how HEAVY this shit is.

And their refusal to do so is why they just see POC getting mad at someone saying a series of subtle or overt racist statements in class as something that can be glossed over at best

And at worst, turns into an active refusal to protect POC students and minimize contact which racist students with the excuse of "part of your professional development training is learning how to work with people you don't get along with."

I'm an adult.

I know how to bite my tongue and work with people that get on my nerves.

But there's a difference between

"I don't wanna be around this person bc I don't vibe with them/they just annoy me/they ship Kataang/etc."

and

"I don't wanna be around this person because they've made a series of racist statements and I feel unsafe around them."

And for some reason I don't quite understand.

People in academia hear the second statement and interpret it as the first. And that is a major issue that contributes to unsafe/hostile environments.

Because a lot of the avenues and channels that are available are based in conflict resolution and mediation.

Which only works when there is a possible mutual ground or something that can be reached and talked through. And both people are equal.

But those channels just became a source of harm and trauma when the "interpersonal" conflict is this person is racist.

What good does it do to put a POC in a room and conversation with someone who is racist in hopes of "reaching a resolution"?

Nothing.

But since academia views racism as a "casual" interpersonal issue this is like the only option you have

I've only been a grad student for one year and im already so fed up and disillusioned with this shit.

I'm just gonna sit off to the side, eat snackies, and watch these white departments perform until they feel like enough time as passed and they can stop acting like they care