Ok team. This whole running for Maud thing has really been bothering me. I think it’s bc it seems...like...not that much. An easy show of support. And I think I’m concerned that we’re only doing the easy stuff...stuff we might already do anyway (like go for a run).
1/

And while I get wanting to show solidarity and speak up, it’s coming off as...showy. As centering you. As a hashtag. As the thing everyone’s doing bc that’s what everyone’s doing. And I’m concerned that it’s not really that...substantive? Meaty? 2/
I’m wondering how you are actively working to grow in your understanding of white supremacy and systematic racism, and the experiences of POC rn. What books are you reading? Who are following, listening to? And how diverse is your feed? What chats are you participating in? 3/
And if you’re committed to doing the real hard, everyday work of learning all the nasty ways racism infiltrates everything around us, what are you doing about it? When is the last time you engaged in a conversation where you had to explain or call someone on racism? 4/
And when was the last time someone called you on your racism? And how did you respond? Whew. This is hard to write. I feel like it’s sounding holier-than-thou and I hate that
I feel like I’ve been trying to unlearn everything for a while now. 5/

I feel like I’ve been “doing the work” for a while, but really it hasn’t been very long at all. A few years, maybe? I’m trying to learn from ppl who have been doing this for years, decades, a lifetime. From people who have no choice. I have so much to learn. I mess up a lot. 6/
And it’s really hard to be in this work. It just...never ends. It’s emotionally draining; it robs you of joy. Its isolating. It’s humiliating at times. And in all honesty it’s hard to endure the bs when you know you could just keep quiet & be comfortable (bc of your privilege).7/
I guess this is what I’m saying. A run is fine. But let’s not just do the easy stuff and pass on the real work. Let’s not check the box. Everyone wants “microwave” equity (credit @MisterMinor): go to the training, get the right answers, go for the run. 8/
But it doesn’t work like that. There’s no shortcut. No way around, except through the messy stuff. Read the books. Ask the questions. Engage in the conversation. Listen to feedback. Learn. Read. Listen. Repeat for infinity. More than a run, friends. 9/9
I lied. 10/10 GO READ THIS THREAD. If I’d seen it first, I wouldn’t have bothered writing mine at all. This is GREAT. https://twitter.com/thearmchaircom/status/1259493155025629186?s=21 https://twitter.com/thearmchaircom/status/1259493155025629186