So, it's been a while. Almost 3 years to the date.
And so much has changed.
A world wide pandemic. A reality tv star is running the White House like their former television show (or worse), and it's been more than a fiasco to say the least. More, unjust deaths of black folk. I am grateful that people are protesting and creating civil unrest to put the pressure on, making the call to action. To get the justice needed for those killed.
People, if you have a face covering - a mask, a bandana, an old t-shirt that you can repurpose - plase wear it. It helps more than you think it does. No, it isn't the n-95 medical grade masks, but anything to dampen the moisture coming out of your mouth from spreading to surfaces etc (You glasses wearers know what I'm talking about when you come in from the cold). Remember to wash your hands for the count of 20.
I'm also trying to navigate this world and be the best ally I can be to those who experience more disparagy than myself, owning up to when I make mistakes and trying to become a better person from them. As a white person, I've found these resources helpful to my understanding of things and what I action/s I can take to help others:
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo - A quick blurb from her website: "Professional: I have been a consultant, educator and facilitator for over 20 years on issues of racial and social justice. I have worked with a wide-range of organizations including private, non-profit, and governmental." With her book, DiAngelo addresses, in part I feel, the elephant in the room, of how white people have a responsibility to challenge their own perspective and actions, in the way it can drastically impact non-white people. To be able to change the invalidating behaviors (to say the least) to more supportive one, one of ally-ship. (Some are excelling at this, but as a whole, we need to better at this).
- 13th - a shot film that was originally on Netflix. I was able to watch it on YouTube, but as of publishing this, I'm not sure if it's still available there or not. A little search on the internet will be able to tell you where you can watch it. It's about an hour and forty minutes
- 97 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice by Corinne Shutack - This article does date back to 2017, but lists things that you can do, resources for people to learn from.
- And support locally if you can.
This is no way an extensive of exhaustive list, but it is a start.
