One of the difficulties that people had in discussing these issues was that such discussions tended to lead to statements about how “my pain is greater than your pain”; these proved to be fruitless debates, and too often there was a lack of understanding the terms. While all negative attitudes—and more importantly, behaviors—directed toward others are harmful, there are different degrees to which the negative actions are taken. It was a form of “oppression Olympics,” ignoring that institutional racism and other forms of institutional oppression have a negative effect on all of us.
