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Kristen Seversky

@KR1573N

5 Jun

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.

Read 14 tweets

Kristen Seversky

@KR1573N

3 Jun

White folks:

You're gonna make more messes in these days. You want to speak out while you're not equipped to recognize the damage you're causing. You want to lean into your privilege yet you'll immediately center yourself. This is inevitable. So now what?

Some thoughts:

Avoid saying "but" when you tweet. *Especially* if apologizing. Too often we take the focus away from the important statements we say while begging for validation. Do not do this.

"I'm so sorry, but I ____ " -- see how that ignores the impact? Stick to "and" or start a new line.

Learn to rebound.

The sooner you acknowledge a misstep, the sooner you can get back to listening, doing the work, and representing yourself the way you intended. So much of what we need to do is make sure our impact matches intensions and, when they don't, rebound. Fix it.

Read 11 tweets

Kristen Seversky

@KR1573N

24 Aug 19

Bleh. Caught up on some of the latest Twitter bullshit (thanks to summaries from pals). All I can say is my heart is heavy. Not because of the rampant ignorance (quite aware of that), but because the women calling this shit out forever ago are still not being heard.

@LaniceSims

My life and perspective have significantly shifted after I decided to alter my Twitter follows to have more BIPOC in the mix. Particularly women. Ex: a fantastic woman, @LaniceSims, called out the bullshit going on under my nose in an org I helped build up. She changed me.

Now, I've become more vocal as per my minimal duties as a privileged white woman. Yet, I get frustrated when I'm thanked for my "bravery" instead of those that taught me. I'm merely the student stepping up; I wouldn't be here if not for the plethora of women that guided me.

Read 6 tweets

Kristen Seversky

@KR1573N

4 Jan 19

@girldevelopit

Aaaaand so ends the 4.5 years I spent at @girldevelopit. Lost access to my GDI email and Slack today (as planned) and I keep vacillating between excitement for the chance to apply myself to better causes and immense heartbreak, as this is not the way envisioned the end. A thread.

I'm super torn because a.) I've been stewing on this day a longggg time b.) I've recognized that my persistence doesn't always help c.) I'd rather pour my energy into positive, productive things instead. But there's unfinished business and I want to keep poking a bit longer.

The #gdistrike lives on in my eyes because it's possible to hold an org accountable from the outside and I'd like to maintain as much transparency as possible on the inner workings and failures. Members (and potentially future members) deserve to know the risks.

Read 12 tweets

Kristen Seversky

@KR1573N

11 Dec 18

@girldevelopit

After a few days of back and forth, the following chapters are not convinced that @girldevelopit is understanding what we need to see from HQ/Board in order to regain trust. We've already endured the learning curves so spare us the guessing. Our communities are waiting.

For live data pertaining to the status of the national list of chapters: bit.ly/gdi-strike

Catching up? Our Open Letter to the Board is still collecting signatures: an-open-letter-to-gdi-board.com

Read 5 tweets

Kristen Seversky

@KR1573N

7 Dec 18

@KimCrayton1

Two days ago, a podcast was released by @KimCrayton1 ft. @shanisebarona that broke the last of my hope for an organization I called home. Yesterday, this powerful network assembled in a way that felt like the old days of @girldevelopit -- women pushing together for change.

@girldevelopit

As a result, more than half of GDI's chapters are represented in the form of signatures from both current and former leadership members wanting to send a message to the @girldevelopit Board and HQ members: this is not okay.

@girldevelopit

I read and responded to the official statement put out yesterday and I believe the lack of accountability further validates this letter. So, it's your turn, @girldevelopit, to read what some of your community leaders have to say: an-open-letter-to-gdi-board.com

Read 10 tweets

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