To all of you who have been forced out of your bubble this week: Welcome! We're all happy to have you!

You may be wondering: what's next?

Well, systemically there's still a lot of work to do, but on an individual level there's even more.

Here's a thread to get you started:

1.) Now that your eyes are more open to the black experience with police, you may have recognized that your individual experience is not the same. And that's called privilege.

People roll their eyes when it's mentioned, but everybody has it in some capacity!

It's important to reflect on what areas you are privileged in order to better inform your experience and the impact that you may have on the people around you. Hays' ADDRESSING model gives a solid starting point for areas of self-reflection:

Some prompts to get you started (works for most categories)

I identify as __

When and how did you realize that you were _?

What role did my family play in that identity development?

What messages did my family+friends give me about that identity?

Have I affirmed my identity in this group (engaging in activities/actions, conformed to group expectations)

If I've never considered this aspect of my identity before, what does it mean?

What biases/prejudice do I have about people within and outside my group in this area? Why?

2.) Educate yourself, on history especially. Many cultures within America have so many stories that aren't highlighted in schools. Consuming media from people who look/speak/act/think differently than you is the best way to make sure that history (past and current) don't repeat.

3.) SPEAK YOUR MIND AND YOUR TRUTH

Recognizing race and multicultural issues is a lifelong process, and culture is always changing. But hearts and minds can't change unless we're willing to have conversations with people that are also looking to change.

The hard conversations of the past week have to keep happening so that we don't end up in the same position again. Silence only serves the oppressors.

Be kind, take accountability of your impact, think critically and be willing to change your mind when shown new information.

4.) Sit with your discomfort

Being a good ally is uncomfortable. There will be times where you put your foot in your mouth, and times where you'll be exposed to deep issues that you never even knew about. Some days it can hurt.

A lot.

But when exposed to uncomfortable realities, ESPECIALLY when they come from a member of a marginalized group; it's important to recognize that they either: A) trusted you enough to be vulnerable with their experience. Or B) are so desperate that they're willing to risk being...

...hurt and rejected in order to help you see their truth.

How you respond can help ease this person's struggle against systemic struggles, or reinforce the current system and cut deeper. Choose wisely, and own your impact.

And lastly 5.) Recognize that every individual has a unique experience.

No black person is the same. No white person is the same. No Hispanic person is the same. No Asian/indigenous/any individual is the same. We all have different experiences...

...And those experiences are informed by our situations, identities, and everything in the ADDRESSING model. We all have different pains, triumphs, and goals.

But at the end of the day every person is capable of unbelievable things BECAUSE of those identities, not despite it.

Be kind. Listen to each other. And when someone says something that denies the humanity and beauty of another person's experience, hold them accountable.

Hard times sometimes have to happen for growth to occur. Let's all grow through this together!

*also if they're a white supremacist or believe that Americans are just straight up better than other countries in every single feasible way, you don't have to engage

Giving them a platform can help spread their views and do more harm than good. Be mindful.*

Last disclsimer: doing this work is hard. It's okay to take breaks.

But not everyone has that privilege of being able to take a break from this stuff.

If you truly want to help, keep coming back to do the work. But rest enough so that you can keep doing it.