This week we see the results of hundreds of years of systematic racism exploding into protests across the country (and globe). The latest killing of a black man at the hands of police in Minneapolis sparked these embers that have long been burning. But for some white folks, this is one of the first times they are confronting the realities of the situation, how their lived experiences are very different from their black neighbors.
If you are a white person, you might feel outraged, overwhelmed, inundated, paralyzed by not knowing what to do. At the beginning of my journey, I did. Get over that. There are two ways to do the work of dismantling systemic racism. One is deeply personal - you must get to your own roots and see your own privilege and how you benefit, how you operate within this system, and get uncomfortable with the “blessings” you have reaped. The other is to amplify the voices and the work that has come before you. Do not center yourself. This isn’t about you.
Amplify, amplify, amplify.
I started my learning with Catrice Jackson’s work. She refuses to coddle or give accolades to white women, which is necessary for us to learn the hard truths about our position and privilege. Please also seek out the words and work of Layla F. Saad (Me and White Supremacy), Rachel Cargle’s The Great Unlearn, Britt Hawthorne (#antiracistbookclub), Ijeoma Oluo (So You Want to Talk About Race), and the many others who are doing their best to inform and educate. Diversify your feeds. And please be sure to pay these folks for their work - teaching us is not their burden.
Donate. Donate your money (which was earned through your privilege), donate your time, donate your resources. Find an organization doing the work in your neighborhood or community, or look for national organizations that are directly helping divert funds from police into communities (like Campaign Zero) or provide bail funds for black folks awaiting trial. Look into voter suppression in your community, and donate to Fair Fight. Amplify these organizations that are already doing the work.
If you can protest, get there. Put your white privileged body between police and black bodies. Amplify the black voices by standing silently with them.
You should already be patronizing minority and women-owned businesses in your communities. But if you are not, do your research to find them and support them.
Have the hard conversations with your white family and friends, and importantly, yourself. (Do not burden your black friends with your own outrage at this time, but do check-in with them and support them.) But it does not end at conversation. You must be a part of the solution in your community. Think through your decisions, use your privilege, and concede your space.
There is work to be done.
