“[white tears] I just want to be a good person. I’m so sorry. I can’t believe that I didn’t know...I need to do better...I just [blows nose loudly]...I just hate racism, ya know and...”

*blank stares into the camera*

Chyle, why you crying?

“I feel bad...”

*Barack Obama sigh*

Look, I know that you mean well, but you’re kinda doing a thing.

“I am?”

*Fake smile nod* Yeah...the unspoken expectation here is that I comfort you because you’re crying about how your whiteness has affected me and because you’ve had some grand revelation about racism.

Otherwise known as shedding white tears. You get to feel your feelings, but I am going to draw a boundary and allow you to sit in your feelings or to find another white person to cry about this with...

Because it’s not healthy for me to try to make you feel good for doing the bare minimum to combat your racism. It’s called emotional labor, and I’m not here for it.

“Emotional labor?”

*Harriet Tubman side eye*

“Oh right. Google is free.”

And so am I. Finish your lil tea. Wipe your tears. I’ll be here when you’re ready to listen and learn some more. Feel free to hit my paypal, Venmo, Ca$h, or Patreon. Thanks in advance. *sips tea*

PayPal: allyhenny
Venmo: allyhenny
Cash: $allyhenny
Patreon: allyhenny

“Hold on...I thought you were going to teach me how to fight racism?”

I just did. You have to do the work inside of you first so don’t say that you’re “against” racism but keep doing some of the same oppressive crap all the time.

Also, did you really think you were going to learn everything you needed to know in one conversation?

“Oh...”

So yeah. You’ve got a whole lot more living and learning to do. Peace.