To all my white friends, seriously read this and take it in. I have more thoughts cont
nytimes.com/2020/06/05/opi…
nytimes.com/2020/06/05/opi…
I'm conflicted by some parts of this. When I hear from people that I have a legit relationship with, the short texts are appreciated. "I see you, I love you" from people that have ALWAYS seen and loved me are truly felt.
I completely agree that I am not your emotional dumping ground. I don't even know what to do with the statement, "Let me know if there is anything that I can do." I often ignore this because it's a burden to even respond, "Thx".
If you want to show real care, default to action without burden. Good friend @racheldswanson sent me a gift card for @BlkandBold unexpectedly. Opened my email and it was there. She supported a black owned business and spoke my love language #Coffee
Take the risk to show public support of #BlackLivesMattters BY challenging every single friend and family member that posts something that even sniffs of racist or performative. In other words, be Anti-Racist.
Your messages of "forgive me if I have ever..." messages are killing me and other black people. You are literally creating extreme stress, mental, and emotional fatigue. I'm not here to absolve your guilt. @k_shelton and I vented at length on this topic on an unreleased pod.
If you choose post pictures of yourself protesting or using a hashtag, you better have receipts of long-time support. If not, be careful, folks ain't impressed with your single acts of kindness.
If you are learning, keep learning. You don't have to tell me. Tell your white friends. Find out who's willing to learn with you. And start mobilizing your white friends to call out the racists that hit your feed. Drown out the racists with anti-racists.
When you make a mistake, own it. Be specific. Be humble. Be quiet. But not silent.
If you're just reading and reacting to my response, but you haven't read the article, you're part of the problem. It's called selective listening. You probably do it often. As I said, go back, read it, take it in. Listen. Learn. Lead. In that order.
