I can’t believe this is still happening. #AhmaudArbery. #GeorgeFloyd. That woman in Central Park abusing her dog as she reports a black man for asking her to obey the rules. We should have moved on from this hate by now. What will it take to change?Wake the hell up, white people.

Our privilege does not wear off because we have black friends. It does not go away because we donate to anti-racist causes. We all carry unconscious biases that we must face and confront. We may not think of ourselves as racist, but still carry biases that we feel are normal.

The next time your friend or family says something racist, don’t stand idly by. SAY SOMETHING. Let them know. And, even more importantly, the next someone tells YOU that you said or did something racist, don’t cite your past non-racist actions. Focus on the identified moment.

When you say something perceived as racist, your past actions don’t matter. All that matters is what you said, how it was received, and how you choose to respond. Don’t deny it, ask for clarity. Listen. Feel uncomfortable, say thank you, and then get the hell over yourself. GROW.

Fuck solidarity and fuck fragility. I don’t believe that I have “arrived,” and neither should you. I know there is still work to be done. For me. For you. For all of us. Let’s not allow denial and discomfort to allow us to continue perpetuating racism. Peoples lives are at stake.

Say it with me now:

“I’m white, and I’m flawed.
I carry implicit biases.
I want to hear when I’m wrong.
I promise to listen.
I am not the victim.
I want to do better.
I’m sorry.”

And fuck the rest.