I’m in Amber. I was struck by your mention of us shaker hts folks- how we speak out when we don’t have to- i would argue that I’ve benefited greatly from being white and i’ve been largely silent to racism and injustice i’ve seen. i’ve done little to substantively support my brothers and sisters in BLM or other organizations- lip service, marching and fb posts aren’t enough and donations to the aclu or other organizations do little. what is enough? How do i do something that feels more substantial? i don’t know but the racism is so endemic and deep-seated, i see it out my door every day. i have come to understand this much more clearly as i struggle for equality in a deeply sexist workplace. it is through that lens that i really see how you show by example. i never call people out at work for overt sexism- if i do, i set myself up for ridicule/harassment. instead i tease them or make a joke. moreover, if i humiliate men who treat me terribly, i lose their input and drive, meaning i have to do his job AND mine. so if i want my job to go smoothly, i have to work with his issues. i see how racism is more pervasive and much more dangerous- i don’t run the risk of dying for being a woman w a job but that’s not the case w african-american men or women. so crossing these lines and having these conversations are so long overdue. and as a mother i want to lead by example and examine my own racism & white privilege so my girls can do better.
