I have so many words, yet none of them seem like the right ones to say. Today’s post is coming at you with a very heavy heart and as a reflection on the state of the world, in New York City and around the nation, and what action steps you can take moving forward.
It’s taken me several days to process everything that has happened since the death of George Floyd, and I’ve been silent in fear of saying the “wrong” thing until now. And this is because I’ve finally realized that silence is not okay or acceptable.
I understand that I don’t understand, however, with you I stand.
Does this mean that I condone riots and violence? No. Not at all. But I do support protests and the act of speaking up for those who need to be heard, which is exactly what is happening first as a result of centuries of injustice and dehumanizing.
Seeing protests and riots in the news is eye opening, but hearing the helicopters circle for hours and seeing the crowds gather first-hand makes it all that much more real. I’ve gotten little sleep over the past few nights, I’ve been waking up with a heavy weight on my shoulders, and I’ve been in tears behind my mask and sunglasses on my walks and whereabouts. I can’t even imagine or begin to relate to how others are feeling right now.
I’ve been one to carefully choose what I talk about and what I leave alone, and today I can’t be silent or resume normal content without acknowledgement and encouragement to take action. But that’s enough about me, and that isn’t what this is about.
We are going there.
Black lives matter.
White privilege is a thing.
And if there is anything eye-rolling about those statements to you, we have a lot more work to do than you realize.
Take a look back at our American History books and courses. How much did you learn about Black History outside of one month a year (if at all) and beyond a few important names that you had already heard about?
When was the last time that you felt like you had to adapt or change something about yourself in order to fit in or be accepted in your workplace?
Last night, our church led a live interview on change, growth and movement towards justice and unity with two amazing and vulnerable people. It was striking and sent a pit right to my stomach. If there is an option to rewatch it, I will be sure to edit to add it here.
I will have to teach our son a lot of things about this world, but I will never have to suggest that he wears or avoids wearing certain things so he doesn’t look suspicious for just walking by. I’ll never have to encourage him to smile so he doesn’t look like a threat. I’ll never have to answer questions about why he thought he was being followed. I’ll never have to have the conversations about why his skin color can be seen as “different” and what that means.
And this is my white privilege.
Where I used to think that “I see no color” was enough, it’s not the goal at all. See the color and honor it. Educate yourselves. Support organizations and people that are changing the world, and use your voice to stand up.
We can do better, and we must do better.
DONATE
WATCH
Netflix:
13th
American Song
Dear White People
See You Yesterday
When They See Us
Hulu:
If Beale Street Could Talk
The Hate U Give
Rent:
Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975
Clemenency
Fruitvale Station
I Am Not Your Negro
Just Mercy
Selma
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
LISTEN
Podcasts:
“1619” — New York Times
“About Race”
“Code Switch” — NPR
“The Diversity Gap”
“Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberle Crenshaw”
“Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast”
“Pod For The Cause” — Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights
“Pod Save the People” — Crooked Media
READ
Many books on antiracism, along with a lot of the mentions that you see in this post are complied by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein.
Access additional resources at goodgoodgood.co/anti-racism-resources
An Antiracist Reading List — New York Times
SIGN
TEXT
FLOYD to 55156
Send a message to your congressional representative
FOLLOW
Antiracist Research & Policy Center
Audre Lorde Project
Black Women’s Blueprint
Color Of Change
Colorlines
The Conscious Kid
Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
Families Belong Together
The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights
Muslim Girl
MPowerChange
NAACP
National Domestice Workers Alliance
RAICES
Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
SisterSong
United We Dream
Thank you for reading this today, and my hopes and prayers that this resonates with those who need to hear it continue.
Sign the petitions. Get uncomfortable. Have the hard conversations with people you love. Do the work. Spread the love.
I understand that I don’t understand, however, with you I stand.
🤟🏿🤟🏾🤟🏽🤟🏼🤟🏻
![[in our elementary school era] 🚌😭
Skyler did great walking into KINDERGARTEN with a big smile on his face this morning. I, however, was a bit of a mess on our walk home. 🥹
It’s wild how fast these 5 years with him have gone … 7 since we moved to NYC and into our apartment, dreaming of the day our kids would someday go to the *awesome* school right down our block. 🏫
That day is today, and I still don’t believe it — feeling allll of the emotions and thanking God for placing us here and for being able to trust His timing through the journey. 🫶🏼 #hbshinnyc
SO proud of you, SK - you are going to rock your first year at your “big boy school” - WE LOVE YOU !! 🩵👑](https://lifeinleggings.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Just wanted to say thank you ❤️
Posts like this are so important, Heather. As a white woman as well, I was unsure of what to say and how to say it. I admit I don’t have the right words. I echo your sentiments exactly. Thanks for using your platform to speak up. #blacklivesmatter
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I so appreciate you posting this. Long time reader, first time commenter. I have been carefully watching influencers and people to see what they have to say and I’m glad we can post things like this.
Thank you Heather.
So beautifully written! Amen to everything you said! My husband is Puerto Rican and we see it ALL the time and I never truly understood until it started to impact me when I was with him and now our children. It’s a sickness but you are not born with hate so we can change the world with how we teach our kids! Enlightenment is key, we are ALL equal!
Never commented on your posts before but have been reading for years. Thank you for posting this. I wish this was more of the example of Christians in this country.
Thank you!
Beautiful words. Very proud of you for writing this. Long time follower, will remain that way.
I so appreciate you posting this. Long time reader, first time commenter. I have been carefully watching influencers and people to see what they have to say and I’m glad we can post things like this.
This is a good post. Very insightful. Thanks a lot for sharing this. I loved it
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Beautiful Lines Such a great Work. The death of George Floyd, that’s really shocking and heartbroken. I always think about how can do this with him or someone. We all are equal and have rights to live as we want. Thank you for written and sharing these amazing Article.
Lovely Article ! This is really awesome thank you for sharing this amazing bolg with us. Really loved it and appreciated your work.
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