Taking a Stand

As a heterosexual, able-bodied white woman, I would like to offer a perspective on how those of us with more privilege can take a stand for those with less. 

1) Listen empathetically and deeply with the intention to hear and understand. This may be difficult for some of us who are not required to see another’s perspective in order to survive. And that is OK. The important thing is to try. Try to listen and acknowledge the pain and suffering that blacks experience in this country. Acknowledging this pain does not have to mean that you personally are taking responsibility for racism. It means that you recognize you are part of a group that has asked another group to build this country for free, and treated them as less than or as the ‘other’ for centuries. It means you acknowledge that any anger expressed isn’t directed at you, but rather a system that is oppressive. Until we are able to accept that racism is alive today, take responsibility for the unjust system we have, recognize the power you have as a white person in this country, and feel the pain of another -- we are not going to be able to move forward and heal as a human race. 

2) Speak up when you see something that is not right and take action. Speaking up cannot be the responsibility of black people. Everyday, black people have to endure minor or major aggressions that hurt -- that create a pain that is at times, unbearable. How can we expect progress if we continuously lean on black people to not only educate us, but also to speak up for themselves and drive change in our schools, political system, society, and our workplaces? This is simply too much to ask. We must lean into the discomfort when we see someone taking credit for a black person’s work, for example, and speak up. If you notice a white candidate with less experience was hired over a more qualified black candidate, speak up. If you see unlawful aggression taking place in your neighborhood, pull out your phone to film and speak up. If you notice yourself shifting your purse to the other side of your body when you pass a black person, ask yourself ‘why’. And as we approach the ballot box, vote for politicians that will uphold basic human rights for people of color. 

3) Pray. Whatever your beliefs are, it is important that we ask for help. It is part of the human condition to feel fear; to be afraid of what we don’t know or understand. It is human nature to identify with a group to feel safe and protected. But we don’t have to fraction off into small groups; we can be a part of one large group of human beings who can protect each other and our planet together. Here is a prayer you can use if you don’t have one of your own. 

I pray for those who can’t go birding (Christian Cooper)

I pray for those who can’t go jogging (Amaud Arbery)

I pray for those who can’t  relax in the comfort of their own home (Bothem Sean and Atatiana Jefferson)

I pray for those who can’t ask for help after being in a car crash (Jonathan Ferrell and Renisha McBride)

I pray for those who can’t have a cellphone (Stephon Clark)

I pray for those who can’t leave a party to get to safety (Jordan Edwards)

I pray for those who can’t play loud music (Jordan Davis)

I pray for those who can’t sell CDs (Alton Sterling)

I pray for those who can’t sleep (Aiyana Jones)

I pray for those who can’t walk from the corner store (Mike Brown)

I pray for those who can’t play cops and robbers (Tamir Rice)

I pray for those who can’t go to church (Charleston9)

I pray for those who can’t walk home with Skittles (Trayvon Martin)

I pray for those who can’t hold a hair brush while leaving their own bachelor party (Sean Bell)

I pray for those who can’t party on New Years (Oscar Grant)

I pray for those who can’t get a normal traffic ticket (Sandra Bland)

I pray for those who can’t lawfully carry a weapon (Philando Castile)

I pray for those who can’t break down on a public road with car problems (Corey Jones)

I pray for those who can’t shop at Walmart (John Crawford)

I pray for those who can’t have a disabled vehicle (Terrence Crutcher)

I pray for those who can’t read a book in their own car (Keith Scott)

I pray for those who can’t be a 10yr old walking with their grandfather (Clifford Glover)

I pray for those who can’t decorate for a party (Claude Reese)

I pray for those who can’t ask a cop a question (Randy Evans)

I pray for those who can’t cash a check in peace (Yvonne Smallwood)

I pray for those who can’t take out their wallet (Amadou Diallo)

I pray for those who can’t run (Walter Scott)

I pray for those who can’t breathe (Eric Garner)

I pray for those who can’t live (Freddie Gray)

I pray for those who can’t be arrested without fear of being murdered (#GeorgeFloyd)

In the words of James Baldwin, “It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.” Each and every one of us has a tremendous amount of power. We are all capable and have more to gain by opening our hearts to the unfamiliar, speaking up, and asking for help when it all feels too overwhelming. 

I recently came across this incredible list of additional resources for anyone who is interested in learning more.

Resources for white parents looking to raise anti-racist children:

Articles to read:

Videos to watch:

Podcasts to subscribe to:

Books to read:

Films and TV series to watch:

  • 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

  • American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix

  • Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 — Available to rent

  • Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu) — Available to rent

  • Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix

  • Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) — Available to rent

  • I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin doc) — Available to rent or on Kanopy

  • If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu

  • Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent

  • King In The Wilderness  — HBO

  • See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix

  • Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent

  • The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution — Available to rent

  • The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax

  • When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

Organizations to follow on social media:

More anti-racism resources to check out:

Resources compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein in May 2020. Photo cred: Annika Treial, @mannika.

Danielle Pennewell