Story time.
I first saw this called out by @austinchanning. When I went to go look at the original tweet more closely, I saw that I had liked it. I've been vocally anti-racist for several years, read lots of books, listened to podcasts, centered voices of color on my feeds.+ https://twitter.com/irenemcho/status/1267234179357356032

I've diversified our bookshelf at home, talked about racism with my kids, helped bring it to the forefront of conversations in our church.
And I STILL do and say problematic things because I AM WHITE.+

There are things I will not see as problematic until it's pointed out to me. And this is why it is CRUCIAL, if you consider yourself an ally, to center black voices in your life. If you are white, the work in your own life will never be "done." You will never "arrive."+

I think this is where a lot of white people struggle (myself included). We're so used to success being something that's attainable for us. This isn't something we'll ever win at, or be an expert in. Humility is necessary and CONSTANT. It will hit you when you least expect it.+

When it happens, you'll feel defensive. You'll want to justify and argue. That's your white fragility bubbling to the surface. I feel it in myself. Instead, back up. Sit with it. And practice saying "I was wrong." It's really hard.+

You might not even fully understand why it's problematic. But we HAVE to trust black people as the ones with the lived experience, enough to trust that when they say it's a problem, it's a problem, and to make it easier, not harder, for their voices to be heard.