"Am I an Antiracist?"
Shared by Kristina Smedley
The most direct answer is no.
Unfortunately, I can’t say that I’ve been actively doing anything to fight against racism.
Yes, I’m kind and accepting, and empathetic.
I’ve never considered myself a racist.
I’ve never done anything racist intentionally.
And I’ve done some work in the past on becoming mildly aware of my privilege.
But do I embrace and embody antiracist values and views? Do I take antiracist actions?
This is something I’ve thought about and maybe even written about in the past.
But have I done anything differently since then? No.
I continue to sit comfortably on the sideline as an empathetic observer.
I continue to sit in my easy chair, watching what is going on around me.
A chair that is reserved for people who look like me, people of white privileged.
As long as racism and white supremacy continue to go unchecked, ruining communities and lives, it’s safe to say that a majority of people who look like me (myself included) haven’t appropriately asked themselves this same question.
I’ll venture to say we haven’t done critical self-analysis and taken stock of our own biases/privilege/actions and then chosen to be and do differently.
Maybe it makes you uncomfortable to read this.
Maybe it makes you mad to think that anyone would be calling me or you a racist.
All of that is OK and not to be discounted… but I still think the question for you and me is still "Am I an Antiracist" in my thoughts, words, AND actions?
I’m asking myself that right now.
And the answer is no.
I will be and do differently. Better. Starting now.
Breanne and I will be here for the next 21 days and beyond: https://www.eddiemoorejr.com/21daychallenge
Join us.
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