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Dear White Allies: I’m creating this thread bc there are things I’m seeing all over my newsfeed that need to be addressed. I encourage and ask you to fully read this thread, and to PLEASE for the love of god, stop making this about yourselves. Let’s get started.
First: These riots/protests have the potential to evolve into something bigger during these times. Never fucking forget that this movement was started by black ppl in response to our country, and specifically police force, killing black ppl with little to no consequences. —
Black ppl were the ones brave enough to say enough is fucking enough. There will be ppl joining in this movement simply to riot. There will be white ppl attempting to claim this momentum for themselves and their causes. Never fucking forget that it was black ppl who stood first.
Second: I’m going to need my fellow white ppl to learn how to turn the other cheek. Understand that even if you’re trying to offer your help, some black ppl will never accept it. Understand their anger/fear takes precedence over your hurt feelings. They’re allowed to not-
-accept your help. They have spent their entire lives being shown that white ppl can’t be trusted. I mean look at us! It’s fucking 2020 and we willingly turn a blind eye to white supremacy and employ it into our government, law enforcement, schools, fucking everything. -
I need us to learn grace and humility. Stop asking to be spoon fed ways to help them. Use your head and think, and use your heart. If white ppl won’t listen to them, it’s up to us to MAKE them listen. This means correcting ur racist family everytime time they comment.
This means cutting ties with racist friends. This means breaking up with racist significant others. Standing up against racial profiling. Holding cops accountable. Holding our entire COUNTRY accountable. This means holding yourself accountable. Use your privilege for good.
Third: Do NOT share pictures of the protest of ppl without masks on! NUMEROUS black voices were murdered after the Ferguson protests. You are endangering these ppls lives by sharing photos were they can be identified.
Fourth: QUIT MAKING STATUS’S AND SOLIDARITY POSTS WHERE THE MAIN FOCUS IS “white ppl are mad too” AND ESPECCALLY WHERE YOU HAVE A VERY TRIGGERING PHOTO ATTACHED. Countless black ppl have stated how triggering seeing those pictures flooding their media nonstop is.
this comes back to not making the movement about you and your anger and guilt, and thinking of some way that you can actually help and not just share a post online and feel better about yourselves.
Fifth: those with the ability to join the protests, you need to understand your role. This is a situation where you can use your white privilege to shield those it discriminates against. Put yourselves as a human shield between them and the law enforcement. No matter how scary.
Do NOT escalate the situation ever. Always stay calm, and if it comes down to it, you need to be prepared to take some mace/tasing/handcuffs. The police WILL kill them. They won’t kill you. Do whatever you can to stay in the buffer zone and force the pigs to adhere to their rules
Sixth: you don’t have to be on the front lines to help. Donate to go fund mes, donate masks and supplies. Make meals for black neighbors and friends, offer to watch their children for free. Transport them. BARE MINIMUM CORRECT WHITE SUPREMACISTS. NEVER ALLOW RACISTS TO BE-
COMFORTABLE. We have to use our privilege to bring change. This movement will happen with or without white ppl’s late assistance. Be a positive change for once in your life. Refuse to look back at yourself in shame for what you could have done, and take a stand.
Seventh: LISTEN to black ppl. Fucking listen to them and what change they want and how. This is their movement and their stand. We are the support and need to be ready for their direction. They know what is better for black ppl. LISTEN TO THEM.
