16/06/2020
・・・
Dear Ones: Last week, during the initiative, we experienced the great honor of having Dr. Brittney Cooper () take over this Instagram feed and talk to us about racism, white supremacy, the lack of safety in America for Black girls and women, and the ways that white women (even progressive feminists) have failed in showing up for our Black sisters. (For those of you who missed it, please go back about four or five posts in my Instagram feed, and you will see her posts. Definitely make time to watch the video of her speaking — it’s incredible!) Dr. Cooper put out a call to action: She asked that all the white women on this page set the intention of speaking to at least one other white woman this week about racism and white supremacy. This morning, I wanted to check in with everybody and see if you’ve been having those conversations, and what your experience has been so far? I’ve had a number of conversations on the topic with some white friends and family members over the last week, and it’s been sometimes fascinating, sometimes frustrating. I really heard Dr. Cooper when she suggested that you don’t get into arguments with people, or attack them, but instead find ways to say things like, “You know, I’ve been learning a lot lately, and this is what I’ve learned…” I really heard her, also, when she said that the best way you can be an ally to Black girls and women is by having these difficult conversations with your friends, family members, and co-workers — by bringing them ideas that they might otherwise never have heard. And by keeping the conversation open with them, so that people have time to grow and learn over time. So I was wondering: Have you been talking about racism and white supremacy? And if so, what has been the result? Please share your experiences in the comments! And if you have advice for each other about how start those conversations, or what has worked for you, please share it with others. Thank you! (And don’t forget to read ’s book ELOQUENT RAGE, in preparation for our IG live conversation with her on June 26 at 3pmEST)