Dear White friends,
It's great that you're asking, "What can I do?" in the anti-racism fight. Your enthusiasm and commitment are needed.
I don't have a list of do's and don'ts. Those lists are out there, and you should use them. And, change doesn't happen with lists.
For White people, anti-racism work requires evolving your consciousness, fundamentally changing your world view, and navigating the world through an entirely new lens.
It's a life-long long journey.
To drive impact and affect change, you have to be continually elevating your self-awareness.
For me, that elevation is grounded in four pillars. I invite you to adopt them as well:
1. Cultural Fluency.
Read. Learn. Listen. Engage. Immerse. See. Hear. Respect. Believe. Validate. Include.
2. Storytelling.
Be vulnerable, transparent, courageous. Develop a clear point of view. Own your narrative. Inspire others.
3. Mindfulness.
Slow down. Stay present. Meditate. Equanimity. Non-judgment. Sit with uncertainty. Observe your emotions and thoughts.
4. Emotional Intelligence (EQ).
Empathy. Compassion. Relationships. Trust. Connection. Absorb criticism and doubt. Don't center yourself.
Thank you for doing the work. Your intentionality, purpose, and conviction is needed.
In solidarity,
Another White Guy On the Journey With You