Dear white people: when Black people share our experiences with racism, don't ask us
"What can be done about it?"
We didn't invent racism.
And on some level, many of you know what needs to be done. It just sits outside of your comfort level.
Well, you need to learn to sit with that discomfort, then pose your questions about what needs to be done to other white people. You need to challenge racism within:
* YOUR family members who
are racist (The major holidays
are coming. Time to prepare!)
* Your friends and social grops
* Your co-workers and
colleagues
* YOURself
Asking Black people to explain the dynamics of racism and to offer solutions, unless they volunteer that information, is asking for them to "educate you" by doing FREE emotional and intellectual labor - and most of us have enough our plate trying to survive and thrive.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk.
As a way-white person, my current self-assigned task is getting educated on black history. I grew up knowing more than most, but am still woefully ignorant.
For example, only recently learned about the Tulsa race riot and decimation of the thriving black community there. How did I noy know about this? Why is this not part of a national public education curriculum? Trying. Trying hard.
@rustoleumlove @KarenStrickholm +1
My wife and I went to the National Museum of Peace and Justice last year. At age 62 I’m still learning lots of things my US education failed at.
I also recommend the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma. It’s not as fancy, but is full of powerful stories.
@bwbeach @rustoleumlove @KarenStrickholm I recommend the civil rights museum in Memphis. As a white non-American a lot happened in the US in my childhood that I was vaguely aware of. This museum gave the background and the context. I came out angry and indignant about how people were treated.
@allypally @bwbeach @rustoleumlove
This is one thing I very much want to see, I love Maya Lin's work...
@bwbeach @rustoleumlove Thanks for the link! 🤗💞🙏