I shouldn't have to, but I feel the need to preface this post with a disclaimer. So here goes: I am white. I do not hate white people. I am not racist against white people. I do not believe that white people are inherently evil or despicable, but I do believe that we all carry around racial bias that impacts each and every interaction we have. And yes, all people have racial bias, but it is white people who benefit most. So while I hold no animosity toward white people as individuals, I stand in direct opposition of white supremacy. And I am incredibly critical of the actions of white people. (Which is, in my opinion, one of the greatest side effects of Consciousness.)
Being white comes with the responsibility of dismantling white supremacy. If we aren't actively using our privilege to call out supremacy and raze it to the ground; we are part of the problem. You don't have to be a capital-R Racist in order to hold racist thoughts and opinions, either, so let's dispel that myth before we even get started. If you aren't familiar with terms like white fragility, white privilege, and why it's so difficult to talk to white people about racism, I really encourage you to read those links, and then come back here to finish this post.
If you're new to Consciousness, and aren't exactly sure where to start, here is a list I made of things that have helped me in my own journey:
Perspective Matters; Seek out Voices of Color
This is probably one of the most important things I can recommend for the newly Woke. I'm an avid reader, and I have a feeling that you probably are, too. So when I first got woke, I wanted to learn anything and everything I could about the true state of racism in America and around the world. But I noticed something during my "education," and it was that the people writing the books I was reading were overwhelmingly white. I'm not trying to say that white people can't write books or articles about racism (heeeellllooooo, I'm writing one right now), but I just don't think they should be the go-to voice in this conversation. This is why it is imperative that we seek out media created by People of Color.
Watch TV shows and movies that celebrate and elevate Black lives and People of Color; and not just so you can know what it's like to be oppressed. It is so important to understand the perspectives of People of Color, but it is equally important to be mindful that their skin color is not the summation of their humanity. Shows like Fresh Off the Boat, Blackish, How to Get Away With Murder, and Scandal are all excellent shows that are full of intersectionality and are wildly entertaining. Read books written by People of Color like Ta-Nehisi Coates, Cornel West, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Khaled Hosseini. Learn why it matters to be represented in all facets of the media and entertainment industries. To quote the flawless Viola Davis, "The only thing that separates Women of Color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there."
Be Prepared to Be Uncomfortable
Talking about race and racism, especially for those of us who are the perpetrators, is difficult and uncomfortable. I mean, nobody likes to be told that they're the bully on the playground who has terrorized other students, but it is necessary. Because while the bully's feelings are going to get hurt, the kids who've been subjected to his or her oppression are more important. The point of my very bad analogy is that talking about racism is difficult for people with white skin, but your discomfort DOES NOT outweigh the the legitimate pain and suffering Black Americans and People of Color face on a daily basis. Growing is painful, but we can't just sit by while our societal growth is stunted just because we're too scared of progress. We must grit our teeth, and push forward through the discomfort. It is imperative that you learn how to sit with your discomfort.
Lean in When Your Gut Tells You to Pull Away
So often, we're quick to react negatively when a Person of Color or woke white person call us out on our privilege or casual racism. But rather than immediately react, take a minute to process what they're really saying. Because most of the time, what we feel is a personal attack is really just someone in pain telling you that you have hurt them with your actions or speech. Lean in to that discomfort; don't pull away. If it's difficult to wrap your mind around an article that speaks about racism or how reverse racism isn't a thing, read it again. Don't let your gut dictate how you navigate conversations on race. Don't dismiss the struggles of People of Color because you haven't lived them firsthand. And pleasepleaseplease do not ever force a Person of Color to prove their oppression to you. That is beyond problematic, hurtful, and just an asshole thing to do. Sorry.
And if you don't understand why we say #BlackLivesMatter, read this.
Check Your Privilege & Other White Peoples' Privilege
Once you've acknowledged racism and your privilege, great! But your work has only just begun. You must challenge yourself to be actively anti-racist Every. Single. Day. We can't get tired of doing this work, because this work is some of the only work that matters. You must challenge yourself to do better; to be better. And we must challenge each other to do better and be better. Even when it hurts our feelings, and even when we're the ones being problematic. We have to start calling out our racist uncles when they make off-color jokes about People of Color and immigrants. Recognize racist behaviors in your own life and actively seek to correct it. Without holding each other accountable--no matter how many times our feelings are stepped on--we will never reach that post-racial society we love to talk about so much.
Your feelings and discomfort do not outweigh the lives of Black Americans and People of Color. Acknowledging racism is supposed to make you feel uncomfortable, especially if you're white. Sit with your discomfort, and learn how to manage. This is one of the most necessary tasks in striving to be an ally--to sit with your uneasiness about racism and your compliance in the system.
For the Love of all that is Holy, PLEASE Stop Using MLK Jr. to Beat Down Black People
From the incredibly talented Truly Tafakari, "Dear White People: Hear me carefully when I tell you the name of Martin Luther King, Jr. turns to ashes in your mouth whenever you utter it to chastise the very people he died to liberate." Dr. King is not Black America's father, so please stop acting like he is.
This Movement Ain't About Us
First of all, stop using your white guilt as an excuse for why you don't get involved in fighting for racial equality. Yes, white people should feel guilty for the part we play in continuing white supremacy. However, too many of us use this guilt as a means to avoid doing any legwork because it's just too hard (someone call the waaaaambulance). Here's the thing, though; it's not too hard. We just have to realize that in this movement, there is no room for our white tears or guilt. And we gotta stop getting so offended when our tears aren't met with coddling in spaces geared toward equality and justice. It ain't about us, guys!
We do not get to usurp this space that has been carved out for People of Color and by People of Color. We can (and should!) join the fight toward justice, but our place is not at the front. Our place is in supporting our Brothers and Sisters of Color; not in speaking for them. Stop clamoring for the spotlight because the spotlight does not belong to us. We forfeited the right to have our skin color attached to equality when we saw it fit to legalize the action of owning human beings. We are the oppressors; the colonizers; the imperialists; the destroyers. And as long as we perpetuate these mindsets that have been passed down from our (white) forefathers, we will always be these things.
The burden of ending racism is ours to carry, but we do not get to pat ourselves on the back for finally recognizing the inherent dignity and humanity present in every single human being. Remember, the world we inherit is not the world we're forced to perpetuate. Let's do better, white people. Let's be better. Please.
