Real questions. Real answers. A deep dive into the hearts & minds of those not only currently, but consistently affected by racial injustices in America both directly and indirectly. Please note the the views expressed in this blog do not come from just one person, but many.
Over the course of the last few weeks, especially after the tragic murder of George Floyd, articles have popped up all over the internet with questions from those not of color asking what they can do to help. Do you have any thoughts on what you would say to those advocating change?
"Those with privilege should utilize the access that comes with said privilege to make a change. There needs to be a sense of empathy and understand what it is like to know that you can be killed by someone who’s job it is to protect you. To understand the feeling of fear and anxiety that comes when flashing lights unexpectedly come on when you’re driving."
"I don’t have the answers either but, it starts with a conversation such as this. I say we start with educating/talking and/or checking our “friends” who may say racist things around us and support racist comments and actions. You’d be surprised how many you may work with and may even be amongst your friends and family.
Also, voting not just for president but, really do our research on who we are voting for in our local government and the prosecutors we elect into power that are biased in cases based on race. Also standing up and calling out people when we witness acts of racism towards black people.
Lastly, there needs to be a hard conversation on how to break the divide between blacks and cops. I know that in some areas in our nation, blacks do not respect cops and vice versa, there are cops already judging us by the color of our skin. There will be no positive result when there is already tension between 2 people.
It’s systemic and engraved in our DNA due to our environment. If you don’t know any different, then you act and behave the way you are taught and what we see around us."
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What role do you think social media has played, if any, in exposing the truths about racial injustices in America?
"Social media is both a gift and a curse. While it exposes some truths with all of the filming of the injustices it can also be one sided. For instance we are labeled as “thugs” for looting because that is what they are showing you in the media but, in truth there are videos where you see white folks who don’t even live in the neighborhood come to the neighborhood to loot and set things on fire to create a narrative."
Social media in my opinion didn’t do much in exposing the truths, we knew for them to be there. Other people didn’t want to believe that the situations “were that serious.” Social media has now confirmed something marginalized communities, more in particular the black community has known for generations.
"I truly feel that the only truths that have been brought to a very bright light by social media are the pre-existing truths. It's really a double-edged sword for me in that on one hand, it's hard to refute evidence of racial injustices when there is video of the act itself (i.e. Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Amy Cooper). On the other hand, with a lot of the news coming in waves and trends, it can be easy to get lost in the message.
What do you feel needs to be done in an educational setting to properly equip younger generations of color with the tools necessary to navigate the society we are currently living in?
There needs to be a conversation between cops and blacks in impoverished neighborhoods where blacks are taught to respect cops and cops are taught not to fear them based on race. Maybe even bringing white cops in the schools monthly to have talks with the kids and make a more friendlier association between the two.
In an educational setting, all that needs to be done is banter on the subject of systemic racism that has been constructed since the creation of the very country we live in. Doesn’t have to be a lesson plan, but communication on the subject and allowing for the students to see how these situations have come to be will go a long way.
As a parent to a young boy or girl of color, what scares you the most about raising your child in America?
I am personally raising a black Son and a Black Step Son and Step Daughter. I am horrified that they live in a country where just by being born black means they have to apologize more, be more educated to get ahead and be afraid to speak their truths. I have raised them to respect authority, take accountability for their wrongs and stay out of trouble. But, what scares me most is what happens when they have done all of the above and still isn’t enough? I don’t want them to grow up angry and as they say “have a chip on their shoulder” because they are living in times where they are not respected for the color of their skin. I am scared that more and more they are being exposed to this reality and that they get to a point where they have a change of heart and just don’t care about life anymore.
Biggest fear is seeing them leave the house and knowing they may not make it back just for being NORMAL citizens.
Though no explanation of a struggle will ever match up to actually living as a subject of the struggle, how can people not of color be best educated on the effects of racism?
By caring to learn. We are willing to talk and educate. Just give a [expletive] to listen and legitimately do the best you can to help.
I think maybe by implementing programs in school, if even for a week, where we put the books down and just be educated on racism. Not just the history and how far we’ve come (if even) but, what we are experiencing today. Through video, open discussions amongst our class/teachers and guest speakers such as black leaders, white and black cops and families who have personally been affected by racism. Maybe even have the kids speak on their own experiences of being black. So that their white classmates understand what it means 1st hand to be black and what it does to our mental health.
"The first, and I believe the most important step is to educate yourself. Take the time to speak to your black friends. Let them use the voice inside of them that has been ignored for so long. Acknowledge the privilege you have in our society and humble yourself as they explain to you what scares them the most about being black. Do your research. Find the stories that never made it to the news. Understand that these struggles have been a part of the African-American Culture for hundreds of years. Neutral standings and silence on these issues will not do."
Thank you for taking the time to listen to these voices. Our goal is simply to provide a platform for the voices that have for too long been ignored.
-The iWiLL Campaign Team
If you would like to submit a question, or submit an answer to a question, please send us an email at info@theiwillcampaign.org
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