Read on Twitter
I've worked jobs that required site visits.
Site visits where we'd have to enter private property to do our work.
(Even if we weren't the main company responsible. Even if we were with the government.)
Sites where the property owners were ANGRY. https://twitter.com/AlHendiify/status/1267129354632511488?s=19
Site visits where we'd have to enter private property to do our work.
(Even if we weren't the main company responsible. Even if we were with the government.)
Sites where the property owners were ANGRY. https://twitter.com/AlHendiify/status/1267129354632511488?s=19
Some of these sites had us concerned for our safety, though that was rare.
Those sites usually came with documented forewarning. We knew they were unsafe because of a pattern of previous anger and aggression from the landowner.
Usually it was shouting. Empty threats.
Those sites usually came with documented forewarning. We knew they were unsafe because of a pattern of previous anger and aggression from the landowner.
Usually it was shouting. Empty threats.
As white people, most of us weren't too worried about our physical safety.
Angry landowners could be reasoned with.
High tempers could be calmed down.
But our Black colleagues - even when they were THE experts and THE leaders on the projects - didn't have this same ease.
Angry landowners could be reasoned with.
High tempers could be calmed down.
But our Black colleagues - even when they were THE experts and THE leaders on the projects - didn't have this same ease.
They didn't have our "luck" of calming people down or easing tempers.
They often found themselves, through no fault of their own, recipients of accelerated or increased aggression.
From people we didn't necessarily already have documentation warning about strife.
They often found themselves, through no fault of their own, recipients of accelerated or increased aggression.
From people we didn't necessarily already have documentation warning about strife.
... because, for the companies hiring contractors, or the government records preceding us, no one had caught the landowner's racism. It's not always easy to see when you have the privilege of white skin.
My Black colleagues often entered field work with an extra level of worry.
My Black colleagues often entered field work with an extra level of worry.
And it was OUR job as the white crew members to intercede and deescalate.
... because no one should have to argue for their own safety and humanity.
But colleagues could forget their privilege and fail to recognise the danger our Black coworkers truly faced.
... because no one should have to argue for their own safety and humanity.
But colleagues could forget their privilege and fail to recognise the danger our Black coworkers truly faced.
Antiracism is work.
It is constant, continuous work.
Not only with the people you know and meet, but with yourself, too.
White privilege affords us immense opportunities and ease. We need to remember that fact.
And we need to help those who do not have this privilege.
It is constant, continuous work.
Not only with the people you know and meet, but with yourself, too.
White privilege affords us immense opportunities and ease. We need to remember that fact.
And we need to help those who do not have this privilege.
Anyway, if you wanna talk, my DMs are open.
Antiracism is life-long work.
We all screw up and make mistakes.
We all need to learn more over time, me too.
If what I've learned can help others, I'd be glad to share.
Antiracism is life-long work.
We all screw up and make mistakes.
We all need to learn more over time, me too.
If what I've learned can help others, I'd be glad to share.
