I’ve explained this to two white men tonight, which warrants a thread on the topic:
Well-meaning white people, the inclusion of marginalized voices (LGBT, POC, etc) does NOT mean we are excluding you 1/?
Well-meaning white people, the inclusion of marginalized voices (LGBT, POC, etc) does NOT mean we are excluding you 1/?
When a person is used to a world where everything is made for them, being asked to make space for others is threatening
It can be scary because for the first time in your life, someone is asking you to stretch and consider *you are part of the problem* 2/?
It can be scary because for the first time in your life, someone is asking you to stretch and consider *you are part of the problem* 2/?
And that’s rough, no one wants to believe they are a bad person. But there are systems in place that put marginalized people in danger and reward whiteness
Check out unpacking the privilege knapsack for examples 3/? nationalseedproject.org/white-privileg…
Check out unpacking the privilege knapsack for examples 3/? nationalseedproject.org/white-privileg…
Being confronted with the possibility that you might be part of the problem is uncomfortable. And many folks want a “safe space” to ask the questions in their heads
But understand that asking marginalized people to explain everything *is a burden on them* 4/?
But understand that asking marginalized people to explain everything *is a burden on them* 4/?
A “safe space” is for marginalized people. Because we have a lot of shit to deal with. I am a queer WOC with PTSD from sexual assault. I constantly fear I’m not being taken seriously, if I’m too aggressive, too passive, and whether or not someone is going to attack me.... 5/?
The number of things I have to consider while going about my day is *exhausting*
At the end of the day, I just want to veg out on the couch and watch Bob’s Burgers ok? 6/?
At the end of the day, I just want to veg out on the couch and watch Bob’s Burgers ok? 6/?
A true safe space is a place where marginalized people can relax w/ their own folks without the pressure/danger of living in a society that wasn’t built for them
When white folks ask for a “safe space” they really want someone to tell them their racist question is ok to ask 7/?
When white folks ask for a “safe space” they really want someone to tell them their racist question is ok to ask 7/?
And I get it. If you don’t know where to start, it is intimidating to start, because for the first time in your life, there are consequences for possibly saying the wrong thing
But guess what, marginalized people live this way all the time so 🤷🏻♀️ 8/?
But guess what, marginalized people live this way all the time so 🤷🏻♀️ 8/?
But asking marginalized people to hold your hand through a mildly uncomfortable moment where you have to consider that you might benefit from a society built for you is putting a burden on people who have a bunch of shit to deal with already 9/?
If you are a privileged person, you basically live your life on easy mode and you’re asking people who are on hard mode to show you what buttons to push and when. It just doesn’t work well 10/?
If you truly want to learn about things, do your homework.
Guess who won’t judge you for that vaguely racist question you want an answer to? Google. Google will not judge you.
Read an article or two. Come back to me with specific questions 11/?
Guess who won’t judge you for that vaguely racist question you want an answer to? Google. Google will not judge you.
Read an article or two. Come back to me with specific questions 11/?
Because I don’t mind if you have gaps in your knowledge. That I can work with!
But it’s much harder to trust that you are a worthy student if you want me to do your homework for you 12/?
But it’s much harder to trust that you are a worthy student if you want me to do your homework for you 12/?
Marginalized people are very familiar with the “nice” person who gets surprisingly violent & defensive if there’s even a hint that they might be racist
So do your research. Demonstrate to me that you are willing to meet me halfway. Stretch a little out of your comfort zone 13/?
So do your research. Demonstrate to me that you are willing to meet me halfway. Stretch a little out of your comfort zone 13/?
Because I want the world to learn together and have a basic understanding of race and society and gender.
But I literally can’t do that for you. You gotta try too 14/14
But I literally can’t do that for you. You gotta try too 14/14
