None of That Creates Equity and Social Justice

I actually do have a lot of Black and Asian and Latino friends.

I actually do have a Black doctor.

I actually do have an Asian dentist.

I do listen to music by Black musicians—reggae, jazz, hi-life, roots blues.

I do enjoy food from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Burma, Japan.

I do read books by and about Black, Asian, Latino, and Native American people.

I do listen to Code Switch and other podcasts that feature Black and other underrepresented voices.

But none of that creates equity and social justice.

What does help create equity and social justice is:

Believing the lived experiences of Black people and other people of color.

Understanding that systemic racism is an oppressive force that upholds the fallacy of White supremacy.

Recognizing how White people benefit from that system.

Not being attached to my whiteness.

Acknowledging my privilege.

Using my power and influence and social capital to disrupt the status quo.

Rejecting narratives of the privileged majority.

Refusing to coddle in the arms of "people like me."

Speaking up and speaking out about inequity and injustice.

Being an unapologetic accomplice and co-conspirator for equity and justice.

Accepting that I'm very imperfect and make mistakes all the time.

Challenging other White people to do all these things and more.