Hey. Friends, fellow journalists, followers who look like me *points at skin*, c'mere. Pop a squat. We've gotta have a talk. I've you've always looked away from the world when it gets too ugly, too unpleasant, too real, it's time to start staring at it unflinchingly. /1
It's time to start speaking up. Maybe you're thinking, "It's too big. It's too much. I'm white - is it even my place to say anything? What can I say that will matter? Should I just RT black voices and signal boost?" I get it. It can be hard to know when to speak or be silent. /2
Maybe you haven't said anything before because it's not really part of your "brand." If that's the case...honestly, I don't even think I need to say anything there. Just reread that first sentence to yourself and really let it sink in. You'll get it. /3
Or maybe you're muzzled by a corporate or government job or other situation that puts you in a precarious public position. I get that, too. Trust me, I do. On multiple levels. And I'm not asking you to risk your job or other benefits by demanding you get vocal. /4
But if you can't speak up publicly, you can reach out privately. You have black friends. You have black colleagues. Reach out to them with no expectation of response but simply to say you see them. You grieve with them. You support them. You SEE. /5
If you do have a public platform but refuse to ever use it even if you can, trust me. Your black friends, colleagues, followers - they see it. They see your silence. Your tacit complicity. The "Well, this is all very unpleasant, I'll just stick my head in the sand again now." /6
Whether publicly or privately, allies - real allies - aren't silent. And they don't just talk about complicated issues in a small group of like-minded white friends who already share their same perspective. Being an ally isn't easy or pleasant. It's not supposed to be. /7
You can follow @AlishaGrauso.
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