Your Black colleagues need allies now more than ever: Be one
Posting a well-intentioned black square to social with no concrete action ignores entrenched racism. Your black colleagues need allies in this fight. Be one.
Every day people mourn in infinite ways across the globe; over the past year, much of the world has mourned together. At the same time, there are swaths of joy that move through neighborhoods and communities: Brides walk down aisles, toddlers take first steps, teenagers come out and are accepted, letters get delivered, and meals are shared.
And that reality is both unconscionable and unsustainable.
It’s been ten months since the death of George Floyd sent shockwaves around the world.
Stunning scene in downtown D.C. as the sun begins to set. Thousands are lying on the hot pavement in extreme heat and humidity — baking underneath their masks — almost a week into the protests.
“I can’t breathe!” they’re chanting. pic.twitter.com/dD4yZD7JL4
— Hannah Natanson (@hannah_natanson) June 3, 2020
This week, all eyes are once again upon downtown Minneapolis, as the trial of Derek Chauvin came to a close and was sent to the jury on Monday, April 19th.
The trial itself has resurfaced trauma, especially for Black people, as Fabiola Cineas explains in her story for Vox:
It’s odd trying to organize the emotional logic of my week knowing that a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial will explode whatever rhythm I’m able to establish for myself. It’s so strange that we just… live… like this.
— Saeed Jones (@theferocity) April 19, 2021
No matter what age you are as a Black person, making it back home at the end of the day is underrated blessing. And there's times being in your own home can't even being a blessing.
— 👑 Black Professor 👑 (@WonderKing82) April 12, 2021
Taking Black lives
Taking Black joy
Taking Black dollars
Taking Black culture
Taking Black livelihoodsEveryday something is taken from Black people and we’re expected to just keep going like everything is normal.
It’s not normal and we can’t keep doing business as usual
— Nicole Tinson (@Nikki_T) April 12, 2021
Every time a black man's life is unjustly taken, I remember the work: affirming Black dignity in a world insistent on denying it.
The world didn't give us our joy. And it can't take it away. It can try to wear us out in our mourning. But we will not lose.
— Malcolm Foley (@MalcolmBFoley) April 13, 2021
Dear white people, stop telling me how to process black trauma. I don’t want to compartmentalize. I don’t want to pretend the world is great. I don’t want to pretend that my people are safe.
— Sidequest | Ace (18+) (@A_TypicalQueer) April 12, 2021
Posting a well-intentioned black square to social with no concrete action ignores entrenched racism. Your black colleagues need allies in this fight. Be one.
the pursuit of black joy and happiness is so important right now. for our health–mental and physical–we need to be reminded that this is not all life is for us.
it sure does feel that way today, so does anybody have any good/fun/pure/joyful pics or vids of black folk?
— tracy the business goose (@brokeymcpoverty) April 12, 2021
I hope every black person here manages to find a shred of happiness today, because these constant tragedies wears down the soul so quickly. Ily guys ❤
— • 🐾Southpauz🐾 • (@SouthpauzArt) April 12, 2021
Black people, be tender with yourself today and every day. Rest when you can. Cry if you feel the tears. Give yourself space to cultivate joy. Love on yourself abundantly. and lets love on each other
— Nkemka Anyiwo, MSW, PhD (@NkemkaA) April 13, 2021