My response to a fellow white woman who feels "there must genuinely be room for all of us in the conversation" re: race & equity in #globaldev orgs: "When I hear people of color talk about 'problems with white women,' for example, it's my duty not to take it personally..." /1

...and to never assume that I can understand the suffering & devaluation of people of color, regardless of any work that I do in solidarity. It does not devalue me in any way to hear and hold how white supremacy as a system has harmed and marginalized people... /2 #ShiftThePower

Within social good organizations there are many ways everyone upholds dominant white culture: http://www.cwsworkshop.org/PARC_site_B/dr-culture.html Only when I put myself in a stance of constant learning through ongoing relationships with people of color who hold me accountable can I be an effective ally. /3

People expressing anger or frustration is not a sign that there is no room for me (understanding that avoidance of conflict is a way to preserve power), but a reminder that healing from whiteness is my work to do. /4 #HealingSolidarity #ShiftThePower #philanthropy #reformaid