Writing
How White People Can Restore and Revitalize Our Anti-Racism in the New Year
The majority of white people fell off the anti-racist boat because we didn't have a solid reason to keep us in the work. Having a solid understanding of why anti-racism is important is crucial to sustaining oneself in the work. If we don't have a solid why then we can't show up ethically; if we can't show up ethically, then we show up problematically, and if we show up problematically, we inherently sustain oppressive systems (like white supremacy) and threaten liberation.
Three Words to Expunge from Our Vocabulary So We Don't Reinforce White Supremacy
Language is constantly changing, and terms come and go. However, racism and white supremacy are omnipresent and equally evolving. For instance, the difference between the words slave and enslaved perfectly encapsulates white supremacy's struggle to maintain itself today. The word slave is a problematic term that is often used today when discussing U.S. American history. Not only is the word a relic of 17th century white supremacy, it purposefully erodes the truth and romanticizes the condition of enslaving human beings.
Yes, You Can Be White and Latino at the Same Time Despite White Supremacy
Contrary to what white supremacy has taught us, you can be white and "Latino" simultaneously. I understand how upsetting this might be to many (unknowingly white and "light-skin") Latinos. However, it is necessary to understand our racial identity to show up responsibly and ethically for Black liberation. As the amazing Black-Latine feminist Lutze Segu (aka: The Social Justice Doula) rhetorically asked of white-Latine, "how can you be my ally when you're avoiding your whiteness?"
One Way I've Embodied White Supremacy Culture Is Through My Perfectionism
I have a confession to make: I am a perfectionist.
I often find myself being critical of everything I do: my creativity, writing, and antiracist practice. I am very critical of my writing right now! I’ve written two sentences and deleted three—I’m not sure how that happened. My mind is constantly telling me that I can do better; that’s the tiring position from which I begin everything.
Reframing Racism is ‘White People Problems’
Being labeled a "racist" should not be the end of the world, nor should it feel like a death sentence. Honestly, being called racist pales compared to experiencing racism; George Floyd and countless other Black lives have died because of racism. It appears as though white people have a framing issue that needs refining.
“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
― Toni Morrison