There is so much going on in the world. I have been filled with various emotions about COVID-19 to the killing of black lives.
As I pondered what I would share today, I decided to post something from the heart and what is very relevant to me.
As I opened my social media page for the first time today, my feed was filled with a few positive news and then I came across this post that echoed what I felt but did not know how to put it into words.
My daughter Rachelle’ EBanks share this on her timeline today. I asked her if I could share on my blog and she said yes.
Take a moment and read with an open mind.
Written by Rachelle C. EBanks
LONG POST TO WHITE PEOPLE:
Dear white people who are trying,
You may say the wrong thing with the right intention. You may say the right thing and Black people still react poorly because your skin is the same as our tramautizers. You may pray, find clarity, and see the sin your own heart and feel the weight of it and want to shrink back. You may feel angry and confused and broken because you really do care about Black lives and Black bodies.
But whatever you do, please don’t make this about you. Please remember that if you say the wrong thing with the right intention and get feedback, take it, listen, apologize and keep getting educated on why it was the wrong thing to say.
If you say the right thing and Black people still react poorly, take it, listen, and learn about trauma-informed care.
If you pray, find clarity, and see the sin in your heart and feel the weight of it and want to shrink back, remember that the silence of our friends is why we’re here in the first place. Trade out your white guilt for relentless compassion and let that drive you. We are all sinners, don’t make this about your sin, make this about our right to be treated and honored as fully human, as fully loved, as fully liberated.
If you feel angry and confused and broken because you really do care about Black lives and Black bodies. Welcome. We need you. We need allies. We need not just your emotions, but your ingenuity and your privilege. Every person has power. Every person has influence. Every person was shaped in the image of God with unique talents and abilities. Use yours.
You’re a talker, get to talking to other white people, some of them are really tripping. You’re a cook, feed the movement. You’re an educator, go beyond these racially whitewashed texts and pedagogical approaches and help dismantle the system with the truth delivered with love. You’re a parent, teach your kids what it means to be anti-racist. You’re a Christian, PRAY. And when you’re done praying, get to moving. I’m not going to list all roles, you get the point.
Black people can’t be responsible for telling you exactly how to dismantle the system that you built. Take some ownership and figure it out. And soon.
But remember, we are on a journey and we shall overcome (especially if you’re with us) If we don’t have hope, we have nothing.
If you feel nothing. If these past two weeks have only served as annoying because your social media feed is clogged up with all this “negativity”, then I hope some of these other white people have room on their prayer list to pray that God has mercy on your soul.
TL, DR: White people you may screw up on this journey on trying to be helpful in fighting for equity and equality, but don’t make our lives about you and your conscience. Use your resources and privilege to further the cause and pace yourselves, it’s a marathon.
“We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Happy Monday:)
Just Appetizers 