I have seriously debated writing/saying anything about this topic so dear to my heart, because I feel that my voice as a white American woman could possibly distract others from learning from and hearing voices of BIPOC men and women who are engaged in this work around the world. They are the experts and the teachers who I have learned SO much from over the past 4 years, and the last thing I want to do is frame this in such a way that I appear like the expert. I would rather amplify their voices and mute my own, because that is how I learn and practice any of this. However, I have realized that many of my dear family and friends, how ever much I love them, are never going to visit any of the resources I share or take time listening to a person of color about their personal and institutional experiences of racism. But perhaps they will read something written by me. And so I write.
In no particular order, here are a few honest lessons I have learned along my own journey of unlearning and learning: (for simplicity in writing, 'we'=white people)
2. No one else can do the work for you to ‘become anti-racist’ but you.
3. "Anti-racism is a practice. Anti-racism is not a destination, an identity, a label, or a certification. It is a practice. And like every powerful practice that is intended to create irreversible change, it is life-long." - Layla Saad
4. Rhetoric matters. Saying things like we want to “fight [Black people’s] fights” is not helpful. It perpetuates the false idea that it’s the job of the oppressed to restructure the racist framework of our country. 400 years of history proves they do not (nor will they ever, so long as things stay as they are) have the power to reframe our country’s systems and institutions in a way to root out racism on their own behalf. White people wove systemic and systematic racism through the very fibers of our foundation, and it is up to white people to dismantle it. We are the only ones with the power and privilege to change these systems, because that’s how we created them to be. These ARE NOT ‘THEIR’ FIGHTS. They ARE OURS.
5. Having BIPOC friends, loving BIPOC persons, and mentioning them in conversations about race is not helpful, or even relevant. We do this to try to distance ourselves from being seen as racist, because we want to be seen as (and be) a good person. But loving or being related to someone with a different race from your own does not mean you are not racist or that you aren't capable of perpetuating harmful ideas and stereotypes based in white supremacy. Using the BIPOC individuals we might know and love as tokens in conversation (however unconsciously) does a huge disservice to those individuals and cheapens the relationships we have with them. It is hurtful. It's also on the spectrum of racism under 'justification.' STOP IT.
6. Scriptures and words of peace and love have their place, but in this work they are most often used as fake platitudes and a way to retreat back into complacency (see 'Woke Justification' on the racism scale). Don’t do it. God does not justify injustice, hate, racism, etc. despite the fact that we live in a fallen world. He has commanded us to be anxiously engaged in good causes, and He asks us to covenant to mourn with and comfort those who need it. He has commanded us to love everyone, not just those who look or think or act like us. And love isn’t just words, it’s action. For as much as Jesus taught in words, He spent even more time teaching in deeds. Love looks like dismantling racism in our hearts, our homes, our communities, and our governments AND THEN rebuilding equal and equitable systems in their place.
7. The goal is not, “I don’t see color.” The goal is, “I see your colour and I honour you as your whole person.”
8. Here are some terms/phrases for you to learn as you begin your journey. Google them, study them:
- Gaslighting
- White centering
- Systemic racism
- Implicit bias
- White privilege
- White fragility
- Tone policing
- White saviourism
9. If you decide to start this journey of unlearning and learning for yourself, you need to seek out a variety of BIPOC voices to gather different perspectives on these topics. Just like white people have a rich variety of opinions, attitudes and experiences on everything in life, so do people of color. And even when people are teaching basically the same ideas, sometimes one person might express herself in a way that you connect with better than another. The rich variety of voices who are providing resources and insight on these topics is beautiful and you should seek out many.
10. When you do decide to follow an educator on social media, or engage with them in any other way, I beg you to just watch and learn. For AWHILE. Resist the urge to comment or question what or how something is being taught. Because you will quickly realize that by biting your tongue (or sitting on your hands as it were) and sitting in your discomfort without immediately putting up your defenses, you will help yourself learn and practice the very skills you are after even quicker. You will also refrain yourself from unwittingly causing harm and perpetuating white supremacy in the very ways that you're supposed to be unlearning, such as gaslighting, white centering, tone policing, or white fragility. Here's an example of this from an educator, Rachel Cargle, who I have learned a lot from @thegreatunlearn. Here's another example thread from a fabulous artist I follow, @florafamiliar.
There are undoubtedly many more lessons I have learned over the years that I've been working to educate myself and become anti-racist in thought, word, and deed. But these are the ones that come to mind to share first. As always, I am happy to engage with and address sincere questions and concerns as best I can, but expect me to point you in the direction of the real experts.
If you follow me on IG, I am constantly sharing posts, educators, and resources in my stories. I have pinned some of them to my profile in the highlights section so you can access them as needed.
