When I first awakened to the harmful lies of white supremacy and saw how my inactions to racism were actually racism, I knew I needed to do something but I didn’t know how to start. I felt really lost and alone and stuck in my very white life and I needed help and some kind of community.
I just began with my first step. I went down antiracist IG rabbit holes and followed, liked, saved anything that spoke to me. I read books, listened to podcasts and watched videos. Most importantly, I found a safe white space where I could unlearn racism together with other White folk and not expose People of Color to any undue trauma from my process. Unlearning racism and learning antiracism with other White people is essential so we can work through our defensiveness, fragility, guilt, and shame together and have other White folk witness and hold space for us.
Welcome, the White Folk Resource Guide!
The Guide below is broken down into what I think the work of antiracism for white folk is. It’s:
1) BUILDING YOUR CAPACITY AND AWARENESS AND STARTING THE DIALOGUE BY FINDING A WHITE SPACE COMMUNITY
2) EDUCATING YOURSELF BY READING BOOKS, LISTENING TO PODCASTS, WATCHING ANTIRACIST CONTENT
3) DEDICATING YOUR TIME, YOUR BODY, YOUR ENERGY, YOUR RESOURCES TO ANTIRACIST ACTION
This Guide is only a list of some things that helped me and I have found but there are many ways into this work. Please add anything that you know or love in the comments so we can create a great resource for all!
The work of antiracism can seem overwhelming and possibly scary but you only have to take the first step. There is no wrong way to do this. Watch a video, go to a white space workshop, listen to a podcast, take some online action, read an antiracist book. There are so many resources (below!) and so many people here to help (me!) and ready for you to begin your journey. Antiracism isn’t only about bettering the world for others, it’s about bettering YOU for the world.
Check out The Anti-Racist White Chick on Facebook!
**Get your own “End White Supremacy” T-Shirt! IG: @endwhitesupremacytshirts
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 access to our editors and publisher. Your support will help us build a better, more inclusive world for all.
***
Photo credit: Screenshot from video