Thread by @KR1573N

White folks! It's me again.

I want to talk about something that's been on my mind while we navigate important conversations in a time when we'd *probably* do better with just shutting the hell up and listening.

Let's talk about our role in this ordeal.

As I previously tweeted (and pinned), we're going to mess up if/when we try to step into this realm of speaking up. We are *conditioned* to not go against the grain of what life is as the default and, subsequently, we'll miss many ways in which we're problematic.

Because of that conditioning, any moment of epiphany is overwhelming. Like you're catapulted out of a different dimension and suddenly flailing to adapt and undo yourself. That's your white guilt.

I've waited for you to get here so we can do some work.

Now here's what *I* do: I'm your example of a privileged megaphone that can redirect attention to those that never had the stage. Those that should definitely have the stage. Those that are DENIED the stage.

My personality is fit for this, but I'm still doing my own work, too.

Here's the enormous catch:

Our learning curves are emotionally *expensive.* So we are going to carefully share a platform that should be 110% focused on those that need the stage in this time (specifically Black voices). We need to stick to the side and out of the spotlight.

Yes, we're risky AF, but we need to be here. We are chock full of privilege and potential to shift these systems - THAT BENEFIT US!!! - and the directions are being given. Some of you aren't ready. That's on you. But I'm focused on those ready to push right now.

If that's you, I'm glad you're here. I know you're feeling ashamed of the time it took, but it is what it is. REBOUND FAST. Follow new folks. Refer to my pinned tweet. Step lightly. Absorb the tough feedback. Your voice is too powerful to lose when it's a matter of training it.

Being white in antiracist spaces means staying humble. Remember where you started and where you still need to go. There's no finish line; there's the reduction of harm, leveraging of privilege, and reprogramming of our minds.

This is the stuff we have to do every. single. day.

I had to go through these initial moments just like you. I started with the beginner's material and worked my way through. You need to do that for yourself and recognize that these lessons have prerequisites that you cannot skip. If that upsets you, you're still at the beginning.

Becoming good at anything requires the time, energy, and repetition. Shifting yourself from the default, status quo to an antiracist advocate is the same. Don't cheat your way because we'll see you and call you out. Every time. We've seen it before and need you to do better.

Ultimately, the goal is to maximize the culmination of our energy and point it at the systems that must be changed, led by the voices that know best (again, not us). Many hands make light work, but mind where you are on this journey and those a few steps ahead. Resources abound.

So go through my pinned tweet one more time. It's not exhaustive, but I'm here and doing this work with you. I know my role and I hope you now know yours. I'm here for you and want to see us do this together.

Okay! Ready for your first step?

Read @KimCrayton1's "Dismantling White Supremacy And The 5 Stages of Grief." I read this when I was first getting started and it gave me a sense of my state of mind. Help yourself right now by identifying yours. We'll look at next steps after this. ❤️

medium.com/@KimCrayton1/d…

Some of you have DM'd with some hesitancy and "hope it's okay to message" vibes AND YES! It's okay to message me about this! I reserve my right to sleep, work, or live my life at times but I'm anxious to talk to those that are serious about the work. (I'll know if you're not).