March 2020 Blog - On "Eye Contact"

Kidnapped Africans brought to the Americas learned that making eye-contact with powerful whites was dangerous.  For such minor transgressions they could be whipped, sold, or killed. They were taught to look at the ground or avert their eyes to signal submission. Nearly a century after the end of slavery, Black men were lynched for simply looking at white women “the wrong way.” In 1951 Matt Ingram was convicted by an all-white jury for “assault with intent to rape” after he looked at a white girl from 75 feet away.

Today, in neighborhoods where police-civilian relationships are tense, Black parents often teach their children not to give officers a “look.” They are told “not to engage.” Writer Sam McKenzie Jr. learned about the danger of “looking while black.” He knew too many Black friends accused by fearful whites of what he called “reckless eyeballing,” which could lead to false accusations, jail time, and death.

In another no-win situation, cultivation of a habit of avoiding eye-contact has negative repercussions for Black students in the classroom. Otis Grant, when serving as Director of the Institute for the Study of Race, Law and Public Policy at Indiana University South Bend, wrote that the habit of avoiding direct eye contact when speaking to those in authority was often judged as disrespectful or lacking confidence. One Department of Justice paper noted that mental health professionals see a lack of eye-contact as revealing avoidance, resistance, and submissiveness. Students are labelled problems students and parents are called-in, clouding the potential for academic success.

This is why Sam McKenzie Jr.’s father told him, “Son, I want you to be able to look white people in the eyes.” He wanted his son to be seen as outgoing and engaged, which would contribute to the growth of his self-esteem and social skills. Similarly, The Guardian reporter Brian Jones was taught to make eye-contact with the owner of a store when you enter. A friendly glance and smile told the owner, “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to steal anything.” 

Even if this practice might ease the store owner’s paranoia, it usually doesn’t end the practice of whites “keeping an eye on Black people.” Store guards and security cameras lock-in on people of color. The white gaze turns them into suspects - feared objects to be managed, or as Frantz Fanon puts it, “a being-for-others as Black.” They are stripped of individuality, objectified, and controlled. When will the rules for eye-contact apply equally to people of all color?

Consider these actions. Do they seem reasonable and/or effective examples of anti-racism activism?

Action #1:  Find ways to educate teachers in your school district about cultural differences regarding eye contact so as to increase their understanding of and respect for their students of color. 

Action #2: Demand that local law enforcement agencies train officers about their internal biases and assumptions. Teach them how certain “looks” can be misinterpreted, unfairly increasing their suspicion of Black people while policing. 

Action #3: Ascertain whether you have racial biases regarding making eye contact with people of different races and cultures.  Challenge yourself to not “keep an eye” on Black people, but instead to smile, look folks in the eye and start a conversation.