Thread by @KTDemands

Let's talk about what it means to be a white ally. I was taught everyone in America had equal opportunities. I was taught to be a financial gatekeeper. I have often spoken more than I've listened. I have centered my experiences and feelings. I'm working to undo all of that. 🧵

Most of my awareness has come from the labor of Black, brown, and Indigenous women. It hasn't always been comfortable. In fact, it's been damn hard. There is SO MUCH I still wrestle with and get wrong. And I can get tripped up; feeling guilty is not an action. But I keep moving.

I recently met a white woman who earnestly wants to end gun violence in DC. She is doing the work—reading @Abt_Thomas, reaching out to GVP groups. In a thread about a recent shooting, she asked @DMVBlackLives "how [they] were helping black communities with gun violence."

Here are my responses.

It is not our place to demand answers or accountability from a Black-led org that arose in response to the police executing Black men, women, and children. We have a role in this fight, but that is not it. BLM is working to protect their community. We should be, too.

If financial donations are an option for you, consider one of the community orgs we heard from at the Ward 1 meeting. Until we are physically able to hold @MomsDemand meetings, educating ourselves and holding one another accountable is the best work we can do.

🔹Watch @councilofdc hearings on Zoom. Go to ANC meetings. Engage in neighborhood discussion.
🔹Read about @BBDCGOV @ONSEDC_ and @cure_dc
🔹Read @mrtonylewisjr’s book
🔹Learn about #ghostguns
🔹Follow @Killmoenews1 @RealTimeNews10 @alanhenney

This list won't be exhaustive, but to start, give money or time to:
@TheTraRonCenter
@mommassafehaven
@TheWIRE_DC
@NoSlideZone
@P2PDC
@TheTRIGGERProj

If you need vetting to donate, as white people like me have been trained, these are organizations that @MomsDemand partners with

More partner orgs to support:
@GunsDownFriday @BlackSwanAcad
@ServeYourCityDC @ViolWearManyTag
@murderfreedc @ACM_DC @CasaRubyDC
@THELAYC @CSCempowers
@LIPnotRIP @NextLevelVisio1
@FarSECollab @MarysCenter
@MikvaChallenge @ProjectGerald
@LoveMoreMoves @PeaceWalksDC

And of course, @DMVBlackLives, who work tirelessly to support the black community that has been repeatedly devastated and traumatized by police violence.

We know—we KNOW—that white families have more wealth that Black families. You may not feel wealthy, but I guarantee on average, you have more disposable income. Walk out of Sephora and give your money to one of these orgs. Close that Amazon app. I guarantee you'll feel better.

And once you give your money, let it go. They know what is needed. It is not our place to demand answers or accountability from Black-led orgs that arose in response to the police executing Black men, women, and children. We have a role in this fight, but oversight is not it.

I guarantee White men have stolen far more money, land, and labor than any Black-led community organization. And you don't blink twice when you give to someone with a Morningstar rating or cheer for Bezos in the Space Race.

Study at the data. @Everytown's research site is a great place to start. It may not feel the same as being together in protest, but it’s vital to our understanding the problem.That requires our deferring and listening to Black people—both things most white people don't like to do

All of this is a lot to take in, I know. The path of unlearning white supremacy hard—and a vital, necessary path that requires each of us to question what we've been taught, objectively & actively address our innate biases, and stay on the path. It takes all of us to #keepDCAlive

There is a TON I have missed. I know there are more incredible organizations supporting DC. More ways to fight for justice. More ways to be an ally. I welcome replies to highlight those!

To reiterate, go to ANC and @councilofdc meetings. Learn who your elected reps are. Have coffee with them. Meet your neighbors. Don't scoff at the boys on the corner. Introduce yourself. Learn this history of go-go in DC and move to the music, instead of complaining #onhere.

Lastly, if you want to join a badass group of women (and men and non-mothers) working to end #gunviolence in your area, connect with us at @MomsDemand.

🔴Text READY to 644-33

Then go donate to one of the orgs above. We need you. Welcome to the fight 💪

Dammit. I knew I'd forget something. Way up above, I mentioned I'd learned from many brilliant women of color. THEY DO NOT OWE US THEIR LABOR. Actively seek to learn from white friends first. Read and research before asking questions.

Our job is to amplify. To give money/other support. To call in our fellow white people. To put our bodies between Black bodies and a white person intimidating them. To bear witness. To hit that record button. To manage our own feelings. Get over the guilt/shame, and get to work.