Thanks, Jenni. Courage comes in many shapes, forms, colors, and times. This murder and this murder’s context and unraveling tell and signal more about this white-racist society than a 1000 academic treatises that only scratch the surface. Yet most of white America is still tone deaf to the thundering sounds of these racial truths — humanity dies one death at a time, and many other truths.
Thank *you* Joe – obviously so much of what I’ve learned, I’ve learned from you – not just the academic side, but in witnessing you walk the talk every single day. You are an inspiration.
This was a very moving piece! This further illustrates the courage of the modest number of whites who care more about equality of mankind than subjugation of the many for the benefit for the few! Giving up the comfort of close family and friends for justice is among one of the most unselfish things a person can do. Keep fighting sister, I am with you!
Jim Zwerg would be proud.
Jenni, this is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read – and I am not one for hyperbole. Your piece reminds me (and I need constant reminding) of the most important thing I’ve learned about activism: that we must engage in the struggle to our fullest ability, in line with our conscience, with no concern for those who are not (yet) allies; the “work” we do assuaging others’ feelings/resistance is a distraction and not in reality the work. But the point you make about family and community and “home” is what makes antiracism for white folks so unique and at times deeply hurtful. There is a saving grace (although nothing is quite like family). In my own experience, more limited than yours, I have been humbled by the willingness of people of color to embrace genuine white allyship and at the same time to challenge us to be more effective allies.
Thank you for writing this impassioned piece.
Thank you for writing this, Jenni. If we were still in the pre-electronic age, this would be a magazine or newspaper article I would clip and re-read until it became ragged and tear-stained. You are not alone.
Thanks all – I hope this blog and this case continues to open conversations (I’ve already had some with family myself)… the support is humbling and makes me feel very grateful.
Thanks. In more ways than one.
that last quote is something i said almost word for word just a week or so ago. …but this is very new for me. i am at the beginning of my serious academic study in race and race-relations. and just beginning to experience the baggage that will come with this work for me. i welcome yours and others advice on navigating these sometimes daunting challenges.
I’ll tell you what my wonderful adviser Joe Feagin (who’s been at this even longer than I) tells me: You need to build a community of support – among colleagues and friends who share your perspectives. I am very fortunate to have that.
I will say too that, although it was not necessarily this way in the beginning, I grew increasingly weary with trying to manage any level of “disjointed” identity, to the point where it became intolerable for me – mostly because it was a violation of my politics, and more importantly, my integrity. I decided better to speak my truth and let the chips fall where they may. As I alluded to in the piece, I really think that is the only place where true potential (and thus hope) lies – transformation has ALWAYS required those willing to pay costs – it always will.
I would just add that I believe as white anti-racists it is very important that we stay linked to white communities and networks and not just retreat to the safe bubble of our support communities. All racial communities have “dirty laundry” to air and address – we have more than most. And as whites in the struggle I believe we have an important role to play in removing the burden from people of color for explaining matters and shoulder the responsibility of bringing other whites along with us… we know that racism often destroys white empathy and warps our thinking and perspective even amongst the best-intentioned of us, and so when our brothers and sisters say well-meaningful but destructive things, I try to remember what it was like to be early and unconscious in the struggle and speak to them accordingly – from a place a love and understanding.
You might also consider sharing this blog with people in your life (or writing something personal of your own) if you think it might help.
It’s one thing to speak in generalities and “academic-ese”… But speaking from your personal experience is often the most powerful thing you can do.