Today, I would like to open up… bare it all… and share my honest, heartfelt thoughts on the current, tragic situation we’re facing in our country right now, after the deplorable, unnecessary murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery (and countless more before that). I am broken and devastated. My heart aches for those who have suffered; for those who have not had the white privilege that I’ve had my whole life. But now is the time to talk about it. To get uncomfortable. To not be silent.
I am ashamed and disappointed in myself for not doing this work sooner. I took my white privilege for granted. Took for granted that I am not racist; because in my head, my heart, my soul, I am not. But the last few weeks and days have disturbed that comfortable belief. It’s not enough to not be racist. I need to be anti-racist. Silence is violence. And I (and all of us) can do better.
I always knew active racism was a problem. I’ve seen it in the news. Read about it. Hated it. It broke my heart. Since I was a kid, I’ve cried at seeing the racism and injustice of my friends and family. At seeing oppression. I always, “saw no colors” and didn’t understand why people were treated differently. It’s now time for me to educate myself better. And my children. Because there are colors. Because colors make us unique and beautiful. We NEED to see them. To ACKNOWLEDGE them. To UNDERSTAND them. To learn from each other. To stand up for each other.
My family and I went to Half Moon Bay yesterday to peacefully protest by the sea. I’ve been trying to explain the situation to my 3 and 8-year-olds for the last few days. It’s devastating and heartbreaking; but critically, fundamentally necessary. I asked my 8-year-old daughter, to make her own sign and think about what her message was. She decided, “Don’t hurt people.” PEOPLE. So innocent, true, and raw. We are all PEOPLE. The fact that systematic racism, oppression, and hatred is still happening is unacceptable. I want a better future for the black community. For my kids to grow up in. Don’t stop fighting. Don’t stop supporting each other. Don’t stop this discussion.
If you are white and benefit from it— and you are just as disgusted as I am— own it, listen, start with acknowledging that you may have blind spots, and look to understand what they are.
It’s time we up-level our tolerance for discomfort and do everything we can. We can do this; we can do this together. I hear you. I see you. I stand with you. I care.
I am putting together an action plan. For myself and my family. I’m committed to do more than just talk. I want to proactively take action. Because actions speak louder than words, and we must keep this going.
There are ton of great ideas, ways to invoke change, and places to donate in this great article, 75 Things White People Can Do to for Racial Justice— such as researching your local police department’s de-escalation & racial training and body cam policies and writing to your city or town government representative and police chief to advocate for it; and, calling or writing to your state legislators and governor to support state-wide criminal justice reform and for racial impact statements be required for all criminal justice bills. And there’s so much more to do. Stay educated. Lean in.
So much love to everyone in these crazy times. We’re in vastly different boats, but we’re all in the same storm.
Hi, I'm Tanya. 