Let's talk about this individual/systemic antiracism dynamic.
First, if we don't recognize that racism is a centuries-old, intentionally embedded systemic and institutional tool meant to indefinitely uphold White supremacy, then we'll never get close to ending it.
And, to think that working with individuals to evolve their consciousness, elevate their awareness, accelerate their fluency is somehow antithetical to contributing to ending systemic racism is not only wrong but problematic.
Not all of us are systems thinkers. Not all of us have a background in organizational development. Not all of us know how to do a pay equity audit. Not all of us have a blueprint for police reform. Not all of us are policy makers or community organizers.
If you do have those skills, please use them. We need your vision and commitment to drive impact and affect change.
If you don’t have those skills (like I don’t) – and your background and motivation is to work with individuals – than you can and should use your skills to work with individuals and support and champion those who are doing systems work.
Just remember that we work with individuals so that – so that! – those individuals are in a more optimal position to contribute to dismantling racist systems and institutions.
Both/and...