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Questions I ask myself as a white person when posting about racism to social media: (1/14)
1. Is this post simply virtue signaling? Is my goal to dismantle racist systems, or is it to broadcast to my community that I am one of the "good white people”? (2/14)
2. Does posting allow me to feel off the hook for taking meaningful actions in my own life? Is this the only action that I am taking today to dismantle institutional racism in my own life? (3/14)
3. What inner work can I do in addition to this post? How can I interrogate how white supremacist thinking has impacted my thoughts/actions? How can I use my privilege to “call-in” myself and others— family, friends,classmates, co-workers and other members of my community? (4/14)
4. Whose voice am I centering? Is it the voice of BIPOC leaders? Is it mine? If it is my voice, is it in direct response to what I have learned about my role in dismantling racism from BIPOC leaders? (5/14)
5. Am I new to this conversation and just beginning to understand the historical context and what is at stake? Is this a time when it is most important for me to shut my mouth and listen, instead? (6/14)
6. Does this post use and risk my own privilege in a way that can raise awareness and lead to direct actions? In other words, advocating for antiracist action online, around the table or at work may risk public judgment, straining relationships, a promotion. (7/14)
6(cont). If the comfort in my white life isn’t shaken up, it means the status quo remains unchanged. (8/14)
7. Can I create and/or offer any resources to help move dialogue and action forward? What can I do that is within my skillset and lane? If I have no personal resources to offer, what are other accounts I can amplify that have critical resources and experiences to share? (9/14)
8. How will I hold myself accountable? Have I proactively established relationships with people in my life who will check in to see if I am following up on anti-racist actions beyond this post? What other systems can I put in place to prioritize action? (10/14)
All accounts listed under resources are linked via Instagram (@carolinepritchardwrites). Here are Twitter accounts: @RachelCargle @tiffanymjewell @DrIbram @JasonReynolds83 @consciouskidlib @MsPackyetti @marclamonthill @AntiracismCtr @ColorOfChange @JoannaHoWrites (11/14)
So here is my current and ever-evolving understanding of my role as a white woman when posting to social media:
1. My silence and the silence of other white Americans is deafening. It is more important to speak out than to say nothing at all (12/14)
1. My silence and the silence of other white Americans is deafening. It is more important to speak out than to say nothing at all (12/14)
2. Only speaking out online while taking no other actions is core to the problem. It plays a role in why “progressive” white women are one of the largest barriers to real change (13/14)
3. If my words cause pain to Black individuals and other people of color, I will work like hell to learn, repair the damage and do better next time
4. If my words hurt white feelings, I am okay with that
#blacklivesmatter
https://abs.twimg.com/hashflags... draggable="false" alt=""> (14/14)
4. If my words hurt white feelings, I am okay with that
#blacklivesmatter
