It's Time to be Better

Hey y'all!

I'm embarrassed to say that I've never used my blogging platform as a way to fight racial injustice. I have a pretty decent (and very loyal 💓) following, so why wouldn't I use my voice?


Because I was scared.

I was scared that I didn't know enough. I was scared that I would be told I couldn't just join the fight when it felt convenient to me. I was scared that people would tell me that because of my past prejudices, I couldn't be an ally to Black people. 

Over the past four years, I have had the biggest self-awakening. You can very much see the transition when I went from ~preppy~ to compassionate hippie. I have challenged myself to look deeper into my thoughts and beliefs. I didn't want to continue having the same opinions that I hadn't even researched myself.

I listened and believed other people. I let THEM form my opinions because it was easier to join in than it was to be different. I said things that I knew in my heart were wrong, but I wanted to fit in. I believed stereotypes because if everyone around them said it was true, then they had to be true, right?

I was so completely clueless and naive. I couldn't (and still can't...yet) vote because I am not a US citizen, so I didn't care to look deeper into issues that run so very deep in this country. Police brutality is not something new. If you even do a simple google search, you will see the almost TWO THOUSAND people who were killed in 2019 year alone.

George Floyd's death has made White people wake up to Black people's everyday real life. White friends, can you imagine being SCARED of police officers? Can you imagine getting a flat tire on the side of the road alone at night, and not feeling safe enough to call a police officer in fear of being killed? 

If you're not mad, you're not listening. We have to do better for our brothers and sisters. We have to do better than being "not racist". We have to be anti-racist. I have been having a lot of conversations with friends and family members about what is not okay to say. I have been having these conversations for a long time, but I'm hoping that George Floyd's death will really show them my point.

As a White person, we have privileges that other races don't. And to the people who worked really hard to get where they are, it can be hard for them to see their skin color as a privilege because they've had ~struggles~ too. My sister put it in a simple way to me the other day. She said "Yes, your life can be hard. The color of your skin shouldn't make it harder."

It seems so absolutely simple. But it's not just a simple case of recognizing that your life has had advantages over POC. It's DOING something about it. White friends, we have to be a part of this movement. Your children will learn about Black Lives Matter and the year 2020 in school. Do not be on the wrong side of history.

So here are some educational resources. This is not an exhaustive list, but it's a start.

Places to Donate: (More comprehensive list)

Petitions to Sign: (More comprehensive list)

Organizations and People to Follow:
    Organizations:

Things to Read: (please buy from a Black-owned bookstore if possible!)
  • A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
  • The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
  • How to be Anti-racist by Ibrahim X. Kendi
  • Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis
  • The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
  • List of things to read to educate yourself online

Things to Watch:
    Netflix
    • 13th
    • American Son
    • Dear White People
    • See You Yesterday
    • When They See Us
    Hulu
    • If Beale Street Could Talk
    • The Hate U Give        

Questions to ask yourself:
  • What can you do to support POC in your community?
  • What are your local politicans' policy on ending police brutality?
  • When were you taught about race and culture?
  • How can you be actively anti-racist instead of simply "not racist"?
  • What do you want to learn more about?



Speak out against racial injustice. Even if you don't have the right words to say, you can share resources to your friends and family on social media. People are dying. Please DO SOMETHING. It's time to be better.

xo,
Sarah

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