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To follow up on my thread from Friday, a few more comments. It seems to be quite fashionable now in many circles & contexts to say you're an advocate for POC. It's even profitable now in some spaces. And so, natch, more people say that this is a conviction/passion of theirs.
Perhaps it is a genuine conviction and passion, and of course we need more white folks to have a heart for greater equity, representation, and reparation for POC. But forgive me if I don't completely trust people who don't have a track record in this area who suddenly care now.
I've seen too many white folks w/shiny platforms state that they are committed to racial justice and/or elevating voices of color, how much this is a part of their heart passion and professional calling. But it's all talk. They dip in and out of the call as it suits their needs.
Sincere white advocates for POC do not often garner position or platform for this kind of work. In reality, any white person who is truly committed to this hard road has had to weather all kinds of costs, personally and/or professionally.
Sincere white advocates for POC expressly resists being labeled as such. They acknowledge their own privilege & power in the conversation and are very sensitive to try NOT to call public attention to themselves for their work, instead pointing attention towards POC.
Sincere white advocates for POC don't feel threatened when they see that elevating POC may result in a loss of their own control. They gladly and quietly subsume themselves and find ways to hand over their power and privilege to those whose voices have been marginalized.
Sincere white advocates will humbly acknowledge how far they have to go in their own journey, how many mistakes they've made along the way, how much they still don't fully understand, and how worried they are that about talking about these issues will just benefit themselves.
Sincere white advocates like this are so hard to find. Many believe they are these kinds of advocates, but actually, they still have so far to go. If you want to know whether you are or not, start asking the POC in your life for their sincere assessment. You might be surprised.
The bottom line for POC is that we have to be very discerning when we're approached by white folks who want to work w/us and who say they care about elevating our voices. Do due diligence and make sure you are entrusting yourself to someone who has your best interests in mind!
