Thank you, Lauren.
Repost from @lshagans
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“I went back and forth about posting this, but felt like this was a way to be truly impactful. This is not to minimize the horrific events going on in this world right now. I want to offer a relatable example to the white people I know will be reading this. I know a lot of white people that don’t have any personal relationships or friendships with black people. They see all that’s going on and not only don’t know how to help, they don’t feel that they need to. This crisis of hate doesn’t directly impact them. For those people, here is a story for you. A few hours after my Christopher was born, my parents were at the hospital with us. My Dad received a voicemail. The message left said “congratulations on the little N***er.” Christopher was just a few hours old and was already the target of an ignorant racist. This man had the audacity to not only call but took the time to leave a message. He felt that he could do this because his entire life those around him allowed him to. I offer this example of hate because Christopher could have been spared. His life that started with immeasurable love shouldn’t have been tattooed with hatred before he even left the hospital. Before you offer an incredulous response or sympathy; here is an actionable step: hold other white people accountable for the hateful things that come out of their mouth. That is a very small action, but the least that can be done. Challenge yourself to start there. Too often in conversation there is hateful, ignorant rhetoric, or even worse casual, joking, “harmless” comments or conversation. Any and all of this kind of rhetoric perpetuates generational hatred and racism. I do not know one white person who is not guilty of not speaking up against hate at some point in their lives, myself included. Don’t be sorry, be better! If you feel like I am talking to you, I am.”
No matter how you learn best, there are myriad resources available to help approach, begin, continue, or deepen your antiracist journey.
Here are a few resources that have helped me recently, including information about original sources for further reading, listening, and learning.
1. Are your kids too young to talk about race? A look at the research, from a study by the Children’s Community School, designed by @pretty_good_design and shared by @theconsciouskid
2. A simple, graphic explanation of white privilege, a term that is often misused and misunderstood, created by @courtneyahndesign and shared by @i_weigh
3. Some basic information about White Culture, and ways that white supremacy has become a staple in everyday life without most white people noticing, from @theconsciouskid
4. A graphic of widely-recommended antiracist texts, created by Jane Mount and shared by the brilliant @ibramxk
5. A chart of common expressions of white supremacy, both overt and covert, originally created by Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence, adapted and shared by @theconsciouskid
6. Anatomy of an Ally, one of many beautiful and informative illustrations from artist @ohhappydani
7. What it really means when we, white people, say “I don’t know enough about race to say anything”, regardless of our intent. Thoughts by Robin DiAngelo, shared by @theconsciouskid
8. Honest questions to ask yourself about your reactions, your behaviors, and your next steps, written by @tidalectics and shared by @theconsciouskid
9. 8 Lessons about racism that were helpful to me as a white person, from @jenerous
10. A reminder about the critical (and dangerous) role of white teachers, and link to an Education Post article with more information, from @musingsfromthemiddleschool
I share resources often in my stories and save them to be found easily in the Antiracist Work highlight, as a way to share the voices and expertise of leaders in the field that can help us all to learn and grow. THANK YOU to the thought leaders that create and share these resources. #antiracistbookclub #antiracist #blacklivesmatter #thankyou
