Black people all over the country are imploring us to stop what we are doing, and look into our hearts to see the ways that we are complicit with a system that is literally killing them. Us white people have to acknowledge and own how we benefit from a system of white supremacy and how we are unconsciously or consciously making this world a dangerous, deadly, exhausting place for black people. We should have done work this years and years ago, but the next best time to do it is NOW.
And let me tell you something, it’s actually not that hard. I’m sure there are many pathways into this work, but for me, I’ve mostly learned from the incredible anti-racism educators on Instagram who basically spoon-feed lessons with sugar on top through their beautiful poignant accounts. All you need is to open your heart and mind and engage with the work. Some of my favorites are @Rachel.cargle @laylafsaad @readlikearockstar and @theconconsciouskid but there are many, many more.
It’s not hard, but it IS uncomfortable. If you’ve started this work already, you know that. It IS uncomfortable, frankly, I’m not that comfortable writing this post, but I’m also not comfortable seeing death after death become hashtags, and I’m not comfortable seeing the incredible pain and exhaustion of black people who live this everyday of their lives. I’m not comfortable knowing a black mama will always wonder if her son will make it home from the grocery store, or if her husband will get home from work, or frankly if she’ll lose her own life when the cops barge into her home in the middle of the night. So I’m willing to get uncomfortable and learn, illuminate my blind spots and find the places I contribute this horror show of racism.
Just so know you admitting you benefit from white supremacy and that you indeed swim in its waters does not make you a bad person, admitting it makes you a truthful person. Admitting it doesn’t mean your life hasn’t been hard, it has, I know it has. My life has been hard. Acknowledging I benefit from white supremacy doesn’t take that away from me, it just admits the truth that among many other things, I have literally never been afraid of the police, THAT is a layer of hard I’ve never had to deal with. And that’s just one simple example.
Here’s my last thing to say, this work is uncomfortable and it’s WORTH IT. Black people are worth it. Your human family is worth it. You are worth it. This work opens a door of connection so you can ACTUALLY SEE who black people are and my white friend, that will feel good. It nourishes your heart and soul, it feeds your humanity. It feels so much better than the cold shut door of denial.
With love,
Erica