I had some hard conversations at BlogHer '14 with white women who thought the women of color at Voices of the Year were exaggerating their feelings of otherness. It's true, world: White people still think people of color are making this stuff up.
The events of this week in Ferguson, Missouri, once again magnify the truth: My friends of color are not exaggerating. White people may not see it because we are not treated this way, but stigma/skepticism/suspicion is still their reality in 2014.
We can wish it weren't true.
We can pretend it isn't true.
Or we can amplify what is true.
We can continue to insist on the education of our white colleagues and friends and strangers about how we intentionally or unintentionally are contributing to the racism problem we have boiling in this country. We can continue to insist on change. If you're confused about what I'm talking about, click here. It's time to share what's being said.
Here are some posts written about race this week that I believe are worth reading. Please amplify them.
- The Ferguson Shooting Has Me Scared for My Son by Janene Davis
- Affected by Karen Walrond
- #IfTheyGunnedMeDown Hashtag Calls Out Media's Portrayal of Black People by Betty Fokker
- Racial Bias, Police Brutality and the Dangerous Act of Being Black by Kristen Howerton
Tonight my friend and colleague Feminista Jones has organized a 90-city National Moment of Silence for Mike Brown. Details are here. The gathering for Kansas City is at the Plaza fountain. Gather at 6 Central, moment of silence is 6:20. Wear red. I would be there but we are headed to a preplanned family reunion tonight. If you can't see things on Facebook, here are the details:
Peaceful vigils honoring the innocent lives lost and pay respect to those whose lives have been affected by police brutality will gather on August 14, 2014 at 7pm EST/4pm PT. Moment of silence will start at the: 20 minute mark.
To identify each other and show solidarity, wear a red ribbon/cloth/bandana on your right arm at the vigils. Do not wear red if in areas where doing so can cause conflict.
This google doc is so we can have a clear view of which states don’t have any vigils already established.
If you have any questions about the event, please ask them at the official facebook page or in the #NMOS14 tag on twitter.
If you can't be there, share. Onward.