Racism is shitty. It’s painful. Whether reinforcing stereotypes, tropes, or systems of inequality, it permeates American culture. It affects us all. However, America has a problem with denial which causes a schism in dynamics. The Black reality of American racism is never far from discussion and it does not comport to the current Post-Racial Narrative. Our history and realities simply don’t reflect the view that many of our White colorblind counterparts wish we shared. And though argued in practice, form, and intensity, racism is still part of the American standard. This I assert as Person of Color, and a Black man in America.
Fortunately, social media has exposed many of you to the unfair hand of policing and you’ve endeavored to understand the terms bias, prejudice, and systematic racism. And within the context of our current political discourse, the cause and impact of Mass-Incarceration and “For Profit” Prisons systems, have affixed themselves to national dialog.
Yet, you’re finding it difficult to break through to your friends or family who can’t see what you now find as blatantly obvious. Or, you want to be a better ally, but struggle in place, tone, and visibility, where you are not the center of attention or focus. How do you make a difference when so much seems stacked against you? Small voice, big world. Although I don’t purport to know it all, these are a few small actionable steps I share with my diverse, interracial family and friends who are just becoming aware of these realities. It will not dismantle the system of inequality that drives this country apart while upholding a racial hierarchy, although that’s the harder conversation we must eventually endure. These are very small things that have impact as we navigate to that place in our history that will drive change.
1. Grow Thicker Skin
It doesn’t have to be brown like mine, but since childhood, many of us have become desensitized to American racism and coded racial attacks. I hear the whistles and take the barbs. I’ve been called a nigger by racists, profiled by police, stopped for driving the wrong car in the wrong neighborhood in the wrong part of town with the wrong colored woman. Lazy, dumb, criminal, thugs, and “not a cultural fit” are all terms I’ve learned to deflect or swallow. Many of you will never know that feeling and struggle with the effacement of pride to develop these callouses. Realize that verbal attacks have evolved. The term nigger-lover is no longer vogue. Even racists, don’t like being called racists anymore. Get comfortable with hearing that anti-cop or anti-racist is now anti-white (the new race traitor). Gone is sympathizer, replaced for the pejorative insult for all “SJW”. You will be cajoled to do nothing, with appeals to suppress your White guilt, a term rooted in regression, not progress. It is a term once used to protect post-war abolitionists from predation, now evolved to protect a majority controlled status quo. We resist change. That’s human. We do so by developing self-defense mechanisms to maintain this homeostatic environment. Expect resistance.
2. Empathize, check in, but don’t Always seek validation
Yes, you feel the pain. I accept that and don’t expect you to be cold and disconnected from our realities. White family members struggle with this in particular, when dealing with new Black relatives. How do you relate? We appreciate genuine concern, but understand that many of us get behind the wheel of a car and don’t know if that next “routine stop” is our last. The constant news of a terrorizing force is burdensome, yet its often the messenger that gets the blame. With that said, just as we’ve maintained or developed self-regulating systems to keep our own mental health in check, you have to develop yours. Check in at the counter, but don’t make a deposit. I’m carrying enough.
3. Try not to unfriend your racist friends and family
I can’t reach them. To maintain our selves from the effects of ignorant of bigoted babble, we often dismiss our opponents or minimize their voices. It’s frustrating. But how are you going to change their minds, even if just a little, if you’ve cut ties. And no, you don’t have to win them over, but I’ve seen change. A year ago people discussing police brutality as an aberration, are close to acknowledging that their “might” be a problem. That’s a step in a journey. Watch them take it. If they’re truly toxic, bump ’em. Don’t let them bring you down.
4. Don’t let it Stand
Casual racism keeps the ghost of Jim Crow alive. The jokes, comments, and attacks that hide cowardly behind the Second Amendment, should not stand unchallenged. It is your right to address them, just as it was their right to make the statement. Your accuser will call you PC, but I implore that understand that society self-regulates bad ideas. Your voice matters. It is the defense mechanism, work around it. And be careful with your language if you care. Yes, privilege checking works, but as a reminder and way to raise consciousness. “Checking” has become so reactionary, that it is often perceived just as dismissively as the offending comment.
5. Stop Sharing Fight Videos Depicting Black Violence
That is not our norm. Yes, it happens, just like it happens in any culture, but the current narrative we’re fighting is against the justification of killing a violent race. When you share those images with people that don’t have any other exposure to Black people, that’s what they’ll remember.
Shut that down.
6. Limit Graphic Videos Unnecessarily Depicting Black Death
Facebook is becoming the largest purveyor of Black Snuff films. I haven’t found a credible study yet showing the effect of these videos on Black self-imagery or the long term desensitizing effect on attitudes, but already I hear the casual dismissal of life. Don’t let that happen. When sharing be conscious of those you impact.
7. Buy Local (and buy Black)
This is a hard one for most Americans, including most Black people to do. Black owned businesses are not prevalent and their names can be deceptive. BET is no longer Black owned, so watching the HIP HOP or Lifetime Achievement Awards does NOT COUNT. The idea of buying from a specific race may seem inherently racist. However, when the argument of modern day racism comes up, we’re told it’s a “Class” thing or an “economic” thing and that racism itself does not exist. Well, if that’s true, then you’re just making an informed decision on where you invest to improve the living conditions of a specific hyper regional locale. Instead of only buying fair trade items from and overseas market, find ways of putting money back into those local communities. That helps revitalize depressed standards, increases opportunities which in turn decreases crime, which increases investment, which reciprocally provides those communities with power in the pursuit of self-determination. This has the biggest impact in generating financial leverage required for a political voice. America will not remove money from politics. We need financially viable Empowerment. Republicans should love this strategy – its not a handout. Now, if you have a desire to give money instead of buying, there are charities that focus on Black education, first time family support and youth counseling, mentoring of Black youth, and great community outreach. You might have to partner with a church (due to limited access), but ensure transparency. Know where your dollar’s going.
Note: Giving local can sometimes go further than monolithic national organizations that are subject to attack, deal with higher overhead, or have broad scope. Understand its a long game and success often grows slowly, plant your dollar locally. BLM is not the only group out there, and there are long standing locally managed community endeavors that need support.
8. Vote Local
Remember that if you want to change the policing policies and systems, you have to vote local. Becoming a low level police officer, doesn’t really do it. And by the time you’ve ascended, you’ve changed. Your Sheriffs, District Attorneys, etc., are locally elected. They answer to Mayors and Governors, the legislative branches. The demand for accountability of police BY police does not work. Holding police accountable, starts with first holding their bosses accountable. If you want to change the laws and exert the pressure required to change their inaction, it happens with the legislature.
Riding While Black:
9. Phone at the Ready
If you see something, don’t just say something, VIDEO and upload immediately. ,This might save a life. It’s becoming increasing likely that police may immediately come after your phone. We’ve let legislation slip regulating citizen help. Don’t let that happen. I love to see allies on the lines during protest, however I can’t ask you to take the bullet. You can be loud and visible. Making your presence known is ok in some instances. Be cautioned that some officers or statutes may hit you with an interference charge. Know your law.
Offer your friend a ride. After the Terrence Cruthcer shooting my wife came to me in tears stating:
“As a woman living in America, I know fear. However, my biggest fear now is watching you, a Black man, walk out that door and never returning because a police officer decided it was your time. An expired registration she be a ticket, not a death sentence.
If your Black friend is shielded from police, this may assist in deescalating any particular situations or at least fuck with police aim. Also, make sure they chip in for gas. They wouldn’t get away with that with any of their Black friends.
Now, of course this is a very short list which only scratches the surface. There are hundreds of things you can do to help address racism. Whites make up nearly 70% of the population Blacks only 13%. In terms of visibility, you’ve got more access to change minds. Which brings me to stats, know your stats, but don’t get distracted by misleading ones that imply causation, when there is none. America hates math with a secondary disdain for science, but let a Black person get wrongfully shot by a police officer and everyone’s a data scientist correlating race and criminality, with no deference to context. Its a separate issue.
In addition, keep reading. Understand that school integration, happened within the lifetime of most of our parents. That’s Jim Crow’s age. Acting like it happened hundreds of years ago, is dishonest. Keep working, chipping, and when you’re ready to level up on the revolution, check back for more.
Ubaguzi wa rangi ni jambo baya. Ni jambo lenye kuumiza. Iwe ni kuimarisha mitazamo ya kawaida, mitazamo ya kawaida, au mifumo ya ukosefu wa usawa, inaenea katika utamaduni wa Marekani. Jambo hilo hutufanya sote tuwe na wasiwasi. Hata hivyo, Marekani ina tatizo na kukataa ambayo husababisha mgawanyiko katika nguvu. Ukweli mweusi wa ubaguzi wa rangi wa Marekani haupo mbali na majadiliano na haufanani na hadithi ya sasa ya baada ya ubaguzi wa rangi. Historia yetu na hali halisi tu si kutafakari mtazamo kwamba wengi wa wenzetu White colorblind wanataka sisi alishiriki. Na ingawa inabishaniwa katika mazoezi, fomu, na nguvu, ubaguzi wa rangi bado ni sehemu ya kiwango cha Marekani. Hii mimi kudai kama Mtu wa Rangi, na mtu mweusi katika Amerika. Kwa bahati nzuri, mitandao ya kijamii imewafunua wengi wenu kwa mkono usio wa haki wa polisi na mmejitahidi kuelewa maneno upendeleo, ubaguzi, na ubaguzi wa rangi wa kimfumo. Na ndani ya muktadha wa mazungumzo yetu ya sasa ya kisiasa, sababu na athari ya Ufungwa wa Wingi na mifumo ya Magereza ya "Kwa Faida", wamejifunga kwenye mazungumzo ya kitaifa. Hata hivyo, wewe ni kupata vigumu kuvunja kupitia kwa marafiki wako au familia ambao hawawezi kuona nini sasa kupata kama wazi wazi. Au, unataka kuwa mshirika bora, lakini mapambano katika nafasi, sauti, na kuonekana, ambapo wewe si kituo cha tahadhari au lengo. Unawezaje kufanya tofauti wakati mambo mengi sana yanaonekana kuwa yamekujia? Sauti ndogo, ulimwengu mkubwa. Ingawa mimi si kudai kujua yote, haya ni hatua chache ndogo actionable mimi kushiriki na yangu mbalimbali, interracial familia na marafiki ambao ni tu kuwa na ufahamu wa ukweli huu. Haitaharibu mfumo wa ukosefu wa usawa ambao unafanya nchi hii kutenganishwa wakati wa kudumisha utaratibu wa rangi, ingawa hiyo ni mazungumzo magumu ambayo lazima hatimaye tuvumilie. Hizi ni mambo madogo sana ambayo yana athari wakati tunasafiri hadi mahali hapo katika historia yetu ambayo itasababisha mabadiliko. 1. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Kukua Ngozi Thicker Haipaswi kuwa kahawia kama yangu, lakini tangu utoto, wengi wetu wamekuwa desensitized kwa ubaguzi wa rangi wa Marekani na mashambulizi ya rangi coded. Ninasikia filimbi na kuchukua barbs. """Nimeitwa Negro na ubaguzi wa rangi, nimechorwa na polisi, nimesimamishwa kwa kuendesha gari lisilofaa katika kitongoji kisichofaa, katika sehemu isiyofaa ya mji na mwanamke asiyefaa rangi." Lazy, bubu, jinai, wahalifu, na <unk>not a cultural fit<unk> ni maneno yote nimejifunza kupuuza au kumeza. Wengi wenu hamtajua kamwe hisia hiyo na kupigana na kufuta kiburi ili kuendeleza callouses hizi. Kumbuka kwamba mashambulizi ya maneno yamebadilika. Neno "mpenzi wa weusi" halipendwi tena. Hata ubaguzi wa rangi, hawapendi kuitwa ubaguzi wa rangi tena. Kupata starehe na kusikia kwamba kupambana na polisi au kupambana na ubaguzi wa rangi sasa ni kupambana na nyeupe (mchanganyiko mpya wa jamii). Gone ni sympathizer, kubadilishwa kwa ajili ya kudharau kudharau kwa wote <unk>SJW<unk>. "Utaombwa usifanye chochote, kwa maombi ya kukandamiza hatia yako ya Wazungu, neno lililotokana na kurudi nyuma, sio maendeleo.""" Ni neno ambalo wakati mmoja lilitumiwa kulinda waasi wa baada ya vita kutoka kwa uharibifu, sasa limebadilika kulinda hali ya sasa inayoongozwa na wengi. Sisi hupinga mabadiliko. Hiyo ni ya kibinadamu. Tunafanya hivyo kwa kuendeleza utaratibu wa kujilinda ili kudumisha mazingira haya ya homeostatic. Tazamia upinzani. 2. Uwezekano wa kupata Hisia za hisia-mwenzi, angalia, lakini usitafute uthibitisho Sikuzote Ndiyo, unahisi maumivu. Ninakubali hilo na sitarajii uwe baridi na kutounganishwa na hali halisi yetu. Washiriki wa familia weupe hupambana na hili hasa, wanaposhughulika na jamaa wapya weusi. Una uhusiano gani nao? Tunathamini hangaiko la kweli, lakini tunaelewa kwamba wengi wetu hupanda gari na hatujui kama "kusimama kwa kawaida" kunakofuata ni mara yetu ya mwisho. Habari za daima za nguvu ya kuogopesha ni mzigo, lakini mara nyingi ni mjumbe ambaye hupata lawama. Kwa kusema hivyo, kama vile tumehifadhi au kuendeleza mifumo ya kujidhibiti ili kudumisha afya yetu ya akili chini ya udhibiti, lazima ukue yako. Angalia katika katika kukabiliana, lakini si kufanya amana. Mimi ni kubeba kutosha. 3. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Jaribu si unfriend marafiki wako racist na familia siwezi kuwafikia. Ili kujilinda dhidi ya athari za ujinga au uvumi, mara nyingi tunawapuuza wapinzani wetu au kupunguza sauti zao. Ni jambo lenye kukatisha tamaa. Lakini utawezaje kubadili mawazo yao, hata kidogo, ikiwa umekatisha uhusiano. Na hapana, huna kushinda yao juu, lakini nimeona mabadiliko. Mwaka mmoja uliopita watu wanaozungumzia ukatili wa polisi kama upotovu, wako karibu kukubali kwamba "waweza" kuwa tatizo. Hiyo ni hatua katika safari. Waangalie wakichukua. Ikiwa ni sumu kweli kweli, piga. Usiwaache wakushinde. 4. Uwe na uhakika Usiruhusu kusimama ubaguzi wa rangi casual anaendelea roho ya Jim Crow hai. Mizaha, maoni, na mashambulizi ambayo hujificha kwa ujasiri nyuma ya Marekebisho ya Pili, hayapaswi kusimama bila kupingwa. Ni haki yako kuwaambia, kama vile walivyokuwa na haki ya kutoa taarifa. "Mshtakiwa wako atakuita ""PC"" lakini ninakuomba uelewe kwamba jamii inajidhibiti yenyewe kwa mawazo mabaya." Sauti yako ni muhimu. Ni utaratibu wa ulinzi, fanya kazi kuzunguka. Na uwe mwangalifu na lugha yako kama unajali. Ndiyo, haki ya kuangalia kazi, lakini kama kikumbusho na njia ya kuongeza ufahamu. "Kuchunguza" kumekuwa kwa njia ya kukabiliana na mambo, hivi kwamba mara nyingi huonwa kwa njia ya kudharau kama vile maoni ya kukasirisha. 5. Uwe na mtazamo mzuri. Acha kushiriki video za mapigano zinazoonyesha vurugu za weusi Hiyo si kanuni yetu. Ndiyo, hutokea, kama tu hutokea katika utamaduni wowote, lakini hadithi ya sasa tunapigana ni dhidi ya haki ya kuua jamii ya vurugu. Unaposhiriki picha hizo na watu ambao hawana mfiduo mwingine wowote kwa watu weusi, hiyo ndiyo watakayokumbuka. Kufunga kwamba chini. 6. Uwe na uhakika Facebook inazidi kuwa muuzaji mkubwa wa filamu za Black Snuff Sijawahi kupata utafiti wa kuaminika ambao unaonyesha athari za video hizi kwa picha za watu weusi au athari ya muda mrefu ya kuondoa hisia juu ya mitazamo, lakini tayari nasikia kuondolewa kwa maisha. Usiruhusu hilo litukie. Unaposhiriki, uwe na ufahamu wa wale unaowaathiri. 7. Uwe na mtazamo gani? "Kuwa na ""mzungu"" ni jambo la kawaida kwa Wamarekani wengi, na hata kwa watu weusi." Biashara zinazomilikiwa na weusi hazipatikani sana na majina yao yanaweza kudanganya. BET haipati tena Black inayomilikiwa, hivyo kuangalia HIP HOP au Lifetime Achievement Awards haina kuhesabu. Wazo la kununua kutoka kwa jamii fulani huenda likaonekana kuwa la ubaguzi wa rangi. Hata hivyo, wakati hoja ya ubaguzi wa rangi wa kisasa inakuja, sisi ni aliiambia ni kitu "Class" au kitu "kiuchumi" na kwamba ubaguzi wa rangi yenyewe haipo. Naam, kama hiyo ni kweli, basi wewe ni tu kufanya uamuzi wenye maarifa juu ya ambapo wewe kuwekeza ili kuboresha hali ya maisha ya maalum hyper kikanda eneo. Badala ya kununua bidhaa za biashara ya haki tu kutoka soko la nje, tafuta njia za kuweka pesa nyuma katika jamii hizo za ndani. Hii inasaidia kuimarisha viwango vya chini, inaongeza fursa ambayo kwa upande wake hupunguza uhalifu, ambayo huongeza uwekezaji, ambayo kwa upande mwingine hutoa jamii hizo na nguvu katika kutafuta kujitegemea. Hii ina athari kubwa katika kuzalisha leverage ya kifedha inahitajika kwa sauti ya kisiasa. Marekani haitaondoa fedha kutoka siasa. Tunahitaji Uwezeshaji unaoweza kutekelezwa kifedha. Republican wanapaswa kupenda mkakati huu <unk> si handout. Ikiwa unataka kutoa pesa badala ya kununua, kuna mashirika ya kutoa misaada ambayo yanazingatia elimu ya weusi, msaada wa familia ya kwanza na ushauri wa vijana, ushauri wa vijana weusi, na ufikiaji mkubwa wa jamii. Unaweza kuwa na ushirikiano na kanisa (kwa sababu ya upatikanaji mdogo), lakini kuhakikisha uwazi. Jua mahali ambapo dola yako inaenda. Kumbuka: Kutoa ndani ya nchi wakati mwingine inaweza kwenda zaidi ya mashirika ya kitaifa monolithic kwamba ni chini ya mashambulizi, kushughulika na juu ya juu, au kuwa na wigo mkubwa. Kuelewa ni mchezo mrefu na mafanikio mara nyingi kukua polepole, kupanda dola yako ndani ya nchi. BLM sio kikundi pekee huko nje, na kuna juhudi za muda mrefu za jamii zinazosimamiwa ndani ambazo zinahitaji msaada. 8. Uwe na mtazamo gani? "Kumbuka kwamba kama unataka kubadilisha sera na mifumo ya polisi, lazima upige kura ya ndani.""" Kuwa afisa wa polisi wa ngazi ya chini, haifanyi hivyo. Na wakati umepanda, umebadilika. Maofisa wenu wa polisi, Mawakili wa Wilaya, na kadhalika, huchaguliwa mahali hapo. Wao hujibu kwa Meya na Gavana, matawi ya kisheria. Madai ya uwajibikaji wa polisi kwa polisi hayafanyi kazi. Kuwajibisha polisi, huanza na kuwajibisha wakuu wao kwanza. Kama unataka kubadilisha sheria na kutumia shinikizo linalohitajika kubadilisha kutofanya kazi, inatokea na bunge. Kuendesha Wakati Black: 9. Simu katika Tayari Kama unaona kitu, si tu kusema kitu, VIDEO na kupakia mara moja. ,Hii inaweza kuokoa maisha. Inazidi kuwa uwezekano kwamba polisi wanaweza kuja mara moja baada ya simu yako. Tumeacha sheria kupotea kudhibiti msaada wa raia. Usiruhusu hilo litukie. Ninapenda kuona washirika kwenye mistari wakati wa maandamano, hata hivyo siwezi kukuomba uchukue risasi. Unaweza kuwa na sauti kubwa na kuonekana. Katika visa fulani, ni sawa kujulisha kuwapo kwako. Jihadharini kwamba baadhi ya maafisa au sheria zinaweza kukushambulia kwa mashtaka ya kuingilia. Jifunze sheria yako. Mpe rafiki yako nafasi ya kumpeleka. Baada ya Terrence Cruthcer risasi mke wangu alikuja kwangu katika machozi akisema: <unk>Kama mwanamke wanaoishi katika Marekani, najua hofu. "Hata hivyo, hofu yangu kubwa sasa ni kukuona wewe, mtu mweusi, ukitembea nje ya mlango huo na kamwe kurudi kwa sababu afisa wa polisi aliamua ilikuwa wakati wako. """ Usajili uliopitwa na wakati utakuwa tiketi, si hukumu ya kifo. Kama rafiki yako mweusi ni ulinzi kutoka polisi, hii inaweza kusaidia katika de-escalating hali yoyote maalum au angalau fuck na lengo la polisi. Pia, hakikisha wanashiriki kwa ajili ya gesi. Hawangeponyoka na hilo na yeyote wa marafiki wao weusi. Sasa, bila shaka hii ni orodha fupi sana ambayo tu scratches uso. Kuna mambo mengi ambayo unaweza kufanya ili kusaidia kukabiliana na ubaguzi wa rangi. Wazungu wanawakilisha karibu 70% ya idadi ya watu, weusi ni 13% tu. Kwa suala la kuonekana, una upatikanaji zaidi wa kubadilisha mawazo. Ambayo inanileta kwa takwimu, kujua takwimu yako, lakini si kupata distracted na wale kupotosha ambayo ina maana sababu, wakati hakuna moja. Marekani inachukia hisabati na dharau ya sekondari kwa sayansi, lakini waache mtu mweusi apigwe risasi kimakosa na afisa wa polisi na kila mtu ni mwanasayansi wa data anayehusianisha jamii na uhalifu, bila kujali muktadha. Ni suala tofauti. Kwa kuongezea, endelea kusoma. Kuelewa kwamba shule ya kuunganisha, ilitokea ndani ya maisha ya wazazi wetu wengi. Hiyo ni umri wa Jim Crow. Kutenda kana kwamba ilitokea mamia ya miaka iliyopita, si jambo la uaminifu. Endelea kufanya kazi, chipping, na wakati wewe ni tayari ngazi juu ya mapinduzi, kuangalia nyuma kwa zaidi.