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I've been trying to put these words down all day after @AzieTesfai posts yesterday & the interactions within them.
I'm white. I have a privilege far beyond something Black people have. Especially in America.
I don't live in constant fear of being killed or of family & friends
I'm white. I have a privilege far beyond something Black people have. Especially in America.
I don't live in constant fear of being killed or of family & friends
being killed. Whether it be in your own home, like Botham Jean or Atatiana Jefferson or Breonna Taylor. Nor worry that by stepping outside you could be killed, like Ahmaud Arbery, or Eric Garner and now George Floyd (both pleading they couldn't breath).
In supporting the Black
In supporting the Black
community yesterday, I had numerous racists jump into my mentions. As a white woman, they attacked because I had, in their minds, dared show sympathy & support for Black people.
Yet I know what I faced was nothing compared to what the Black community face every single day.
Yet I know what I faced was nothing compared to what the Black community face every single day.
I also saw so many using false equivalence to say all lives matter.
In an ideal world, that would be true. But the reality is, simply because of the colour of your skin, Black people start in an already imbalanced position. Not just slightly imbalanced either, but way off the
In an ideal world, that would be true. But the reality is, simply because of the colour of your skin, Black people start in an already imbalanced position. Not just slightly imbalanced either, but way off the
scale.
Until the balance is closer to being equal, we cannot dilute the message by trying to make it about that.
The cold hard truth is Black lives matter. They deserve to enjoy the same privileges I do. They deserve not to live in constant fear.
Being white gives me privileges
Until the balance is closer to being equal, we cannot dilute the message by trying to make it about that.
The cold hard truth is Black lives matter. They deserve to enjoy the same privileges I do. They deserve not to live in constant fear.
Being white gives me privileges
that are bestowed prenatally. I canât not get them and I cannot give them away, no matter how much I might not want them, or want to try and pass it across to someone else.
I can though ensure I listen to Black people. I ensure I ask something if I'm not sure. I take note of what
I can though ensure I listen to Black people. I ensure I ask something if I'm not sure. I take note of what
I see as normal, and realise my privilege meant I didn't see something that was, in it's own way normalising being white.
It might seem like a strange example, but I think this is a prime example of what I mean. A while ago, I saw a post on Twitter from a Black person, excited
It might seem like a strange example, but I think this is a prime example of what I mean. A while ago, I saw a post on Twitter from a Black person, excited
about plasters (band-aid) that matched their skin tone.
It stopped me in my tracks, because in that moment I realised my life was normalised for me in ways that truly were engrained in even the smallest details around us. That this leads many of us to be taught that we are the
It stopped me in my tracks, because in that moment I realised my life was normalised for me in ways that truly were engrained in even the smallest details around us. That this leads many of us to be taught that we are the
only ones in the picture, whether consciously or subconsciously. Strangely enough, as someone in the LGBTQ community I recognised we face a heteronormative world around us. In that moment I could truly get at least a glimpse of understanding.
I always considered myself an ally.
I always considered myself an ally.
I certainly hope I can be a good ally. That I continue to listen. That I continue asking questions. That I continue with outrage when I see injustice done. That I stand up and alongside the black community and say. I am white and I am here, and I am listening.
What do *you*
What do *you*
need me to hear?
I have the privilege of being able to determine inclusion or exclusion. I chose inclusion.
We can all speak up about racism without being seen as self-serving. We can speak up, not looking for appreciation. I don't need that or want that. It isn't about that.
I have the privilege of being able to determine inclusion or exclusion. I chose inclusion.
We can all speak up about racism without being seen as self-serving. We can speak up, not looking for appreciation. I don't need that or want that. It isn't about that.
