I am still learning and I am listening but I feel compelled to speak out and hopefully not over people.

#AmyCooper and her ilk are all over America. They are hiding in your ER, classrooms, stores, law offices, banks, families, EVERYWHERE. They will ALWAYS claim to be not racist.

But then they start to feel threatened by the presence of some one that does not center on white cis hetero and out come the weaponized words, actions, and tears.

We must stop centering on white cis hetero. It does way to much damage to those on the fringe of that definition.

I was distraught by what Mr Cooper and possibly every black individual in that park had to deal with, then I woke up the next day and saw #icantbreathe trending AGAIN. I am beyond ashamed. This can't keep happening. Do we have any humanity left?

This is not just a few bad apples

I have been trying my best to listen and absorb everything. I am still learning. I am still making mistakes.

I have found myself speaking over. I have found myself centered in my white cis hetero way. I have found myself creating microaggressions.

I am trying to be better.

But I need to try harder. Especially those of us at the perceived center of society need to try harder. Stop centering on white hetero.

I am sure I got some things wrong. I am still learning but PLEASE correct me. I am trying to be better but that doesn't excuse mistakes.

I have a some pictures for y'all to dissect. Spot the differences?

Here are some books I found helpful.
Cutting School - by Noliwe Rooks
How to be Anti Racist - Ibram Kendi
White Fragility - Robin DiAngelo
I know why the caged bird sings - Maya Angelou
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Letter from Birmingham Jail - MLK

The New Jim Crow - Michelle Alexander
Fatal Invention - Dorothy Roberts
Stamped from the beginning - Ibram Kendi
The Wellbeing Handbook for Overcoming Everyday Racism - Susan Cousins
1619 Project - N. Hannah-Jones

I know there are more but these are the ones I have learned from.

Some notable people I follow that helped shape my thoughts:
sheathescholar
DrIbram
nenagerman
mrsjjee
terrinwatson
tchkimpossible
shanavwhite
dulceflecha
mrbgilson
valeriabrownedu
selmekki
ccoleiii
drphilgoff
repwalle
teachmrreed
zellieimani
theJLV
tmorello

misterminor
guptonteaches
presidentpat
principalkafele
booktoss
maire_from_NJ
nhannahjones
AkieaG
BitterSouth
jayWamsted
Aliciajohal
8blackhands1
wmstubbs
ayodele_har78
hood_naturalist
cleartheairedu
allyalledu
mrdrearybury
aj_wade
shawnacoppola
bilio_phile
mochamomma
mr_ankrum

I was given this and I much appreciated it. I want to spread it. "Anti-racism Resources for White People"
Give it to your sister, your aunt, your pops, who ever needs to read it. https://www.scribd.com/document/463238678/Anti-racism-Resources-for-White-People

This took me some emotional energy to write this. I can only imagine what it is like to live it.

I love y'all, ALL y'all.

I'll leave y'all with this song and quote by Rage Against the Machine.