I don't write in this space very often these days and I don't know how many people still read my words. I'm not sure if I've done a good job of expressing myself. My friend made me realize last night that I have a responsibility to use the platform I have, to say something to anyone who might be willing to listen.
Yesterday evening, I sat down at the
computer to check Twitter, as a stalling tactic before cleaning the
kitchen. It was well past midnight when I stood up again.
I was reminded as soon as I logged in
that the decision of the grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri - about
whether or not to indict the police officer who killed a young
unarmed black man - was due to come down shortly. In the end, it took
a couple of hours for the announcement to be made. Though most people
commenting in my Twitter feed were not surprised by the outcome (the
delay in announcing had made many suspect that the result was a
foregone conclusion), they were outraged. This was exacerbated by the
terrible way in which the grand jury handled the release of the
verdict: at night, with many hours of anticipation during which the
world saw heavily armed soldiers and military tanks line the streets
of the town. The lengthy speech made by the prosecutor seemed
designed to fan the flames, as he first blamed social media and then
further trashed the reputation of a young man who is no longer alive
to defend himself.
Last night, I didn't comment much,
choosing instead to share the words of others, mostly black women and
men directly affected by this decision and overt and systemic racism.
I felt it was my place to listen and to share their words. You can
read all the Tweets I chose to share on my Twitter feed. There was so
much more and I could not look away.
Eventually, though I had to go to bed.
One of the last things I saw were the words of a black friend, saying
that it's not enough for those of us with loads of white privilege to
express solidarity. We need to do more.
She's right.
We need to do more because of what
happened in Ferguson.
We need to do more because a 12 yearold black boy with a toy gun was shot by police officers in a
neighbourhood park.
We need to do more because there are so
many more stories like those I've just mentioned that don't even make
the news.
We need to do more because racism is
alive and well at home and around the world. And yes, that applies to
those of us in Canada, too.
I'm still figuring out what “doing
more” means for me. Here, to begin, are my own personal guidelines
for dealing with racism in my world. I don't always succeed in
adhering to them but I'm working on it:
Speak up when I see racism in my own
community, city, country. Every time, even when it makes those around
me uncomfortable.
Talk to my kids about what happened in
Ferguson and about racism. Often. And not just when it results in
someone's death.
Listen when others share their experiences. Ask how I can be supportive. Follow through.
Never be defensive or fearful when
others raise the subject of race. Accept that when a person of colour
says, “racism exists here”, “that is racist” or even “what
you did was racist”, they are stating a fact that hopefully can be
fixed and not saying that I'm an irredeemably horrible person.
I'm sure there's more. Like I said, I'm
still figuring it out.
Every year, the adults on my spouse's
side of the family make donations in each others' names instead of
giving Christmas presents. In past years, we've donated to the
Stephen Lewis Foundation, EGALE, the Canadian Breast Cancer Network, the Ottawa Hospital Foundation and
the Ottawa Food Bank. This year, I'd like to propose that my family
direct our donations to those working to bring an end to racist
inequality and injustice. I'd suggest that those of you who can,
consider doing the same.
And if you have advice, as to where donations should be focused, please share.
Further reading:
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