Silence from a friend or colleague can not only be harmful, it can cost you your job and definitely your friendship. Now imagine if that silence can actually cost someone their life…because it can. Silence is complicity in allowing the systems of violence, inequity, and suppression to continue. White silence of any kind makes you a Karen—so don’t be a Karen.
Here are just a few examples of white silence in action:
-Staying silent when you see your colleagues of color being discriminated against at work.
-Staying silent by choosing not to engage in any conversations about race because of your white fragility.
-Staying silent by not attending protest marches against racism like Black Lives Matter or protests for immigrants at risk.
-Staying silent by not sharing social media posts about race and racism in your spaces because of the way it might affect your personal or professional life, or simply reposting the posts of BIPOC but not adding your own voice or perspective.
-Staying silent about your antiracism work for fear of losing friends and followers.
-Staying silent by not holding those around you accountable for their racist behavior.
-Staying silent when you witness other white people use their white privilege, white fragility, or tone policing against BIPOC.
(examples of white silence are from “Me and White Supremacy” by Layla F. Saad)
***
Check out more of Nicola Graham’s YouTube videos here!
—
This post is republished on Medium.
***
The Good Men Project gives people the insights, tools, and skills to survive, prosper and thrive in today’s changing world. A world that is changing faster than most people can keep up with that change. A world where jobs are changing, gender roles are changing, and stereotypes are being upended. A world that is growing more diverse and inclusive. A world where working towards equality will become a core competence. We’ve built a community of millions of people from around the globe who believe in this path forward. Thanks for joining The Good Men Project.
Support us on Patreon and we will support you and your writing! Tools to improve your writing and platform-building skills, a community to get you connected, and direct access to our editors and publisher. Your support will help us build a better, more inclusive world for all.
***
Photo credit: Screenshot from video
I’m a Black Karen who has experienced a series of microaggressions targeted at me over my name. What do you think I would have to say about the smilarities of being discriminated against over my race, being dicriminated against over my gender and being discriminated against over my NAME?