Thread by @ellllllllllle

Friends (especially white friends) who are deeply moved by what's happening right now and aching for change.

You and I do not currently have the emotional or mental stamina to advocate or do justice work in the longterm. But I think we could build it.

Want to?

https://twitter.com/austinchanning/status/1267276484781244417

We need stamina to:
▪️Listen
▪️Learn
▪️Research
▪️Process
▪️Empathize
▪️Lament
▪️Be corrected
▪️Apologize
▪️Reflect
▪️Repent
▪️Uproot
▪️Advocate publicly
▪️Advocate privately
▪️Invest our time
▪️Invest our money
▪️Shift our priorities
▪️Vote, call, email
▪️Feel uncomfortable

I started reading @DDGilliard's book Rethinking Incarceration a year ago, but I was so overwhelmed that I haven't read past Chapter 2. But I'm picking it up again, because the only way we'll build stamina is by pushing ourselves beyond what's comfortable.

We're going to make mistakes and say things that are stupid, awkward, offensive. And if we say them publicly, we will probably get corrected. When we do, let's say "thank you, I'm sorry, I'll do better." No minimizing or shirking responsibility. This matters more than our egoes.

And let's promise each other we'll do better than making generic promises or commitments to "end racism," so we can feel like we're standing for something. Change only happens if we make specific commitments to solving specific problems. We can't address what we can't identify.

And can we talk about being corrected one more time? I know it stings to be put in your place when you were trying your best. But it's okay. We're building emotional stamina, remember? We can handle this. Pushback and correction are gifts. Gifts. We are learning. We are growing.