MY STAND AGAINST RACISM
“When you feel that you’re exposing too much of your heart… that’s the moment you may be starting to get it right.” — Neil Gaiman
I have spent the last week in disgust and despair over the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many others who came before them.
I made a quick statement on Instagram because I couldn’t stay silent. I spoke up, but I didn’t say enough. I was afraid to say the wrong thing. But today, I want to say more.
I am a woman of color, but I am not a Black woman. I have no idea what it’s like to grow up a victim of systemic racism, violence, and police brutality. And, now as a mother, I will have no idea what it’s like to fear for my children’s lives because of the color of their skin.
That has been my privilege as a Filipino American. To be considered a “model minority”—acknowledged for the color of my skin, praised for being smart and working hard, and accepted so long as I keep my head down and don’t make waves. I have benefited from a racist system while Black people have suffered.
But it is my responsibility to stand with my Black sisters and brothers, speak up against racism, and say, unequivocally, Black lives matter. They always have.
As I write this, I am struggling with shame that it took me this long to speak up. Maybe you feel it, too. But instead of letting that fear and shame stop me from doing what’s right, this time I’m letting it propel me forward.
Here are some quick actions I took last week (admittedly, most done in a despair-ridden frenzy):
I began to follow Black educators who are leading the anti-racist conversation.
I made a few donations and supported a couple of Black-owned businesses.
I signed petitions and sent emails to demand justice for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
I talked to my husband, Rama, and our children about what’s happening in the world right now.
It’s nowhere near enough, but it’s a start. True change will not happen in a scroll or with an email, in day or in one week. I have begun the work, though. So many others in my community have too, and that gives me hope.
I am starting to think that I may live to see real, lasting change toward justice and racial equality, and I vow to be on the right side of that change.
GOOD THINGS WE CAN DO TO FIGHT RACISM
• Educate ourselves. How to be an Antiracist is at the top of my list.
• Donate to organizations fighting for racial equality and justice. Last week, I donated to Black Lives Matter and the Minnesota Freedom Fund, and I am researching organizations this weekend so I can add one to my monthly donation budget.
• Advocate for policy change by signing petitions, making calls, or protesting.
• Vote. Those people changing the policies? They’re in positions of power, often on the local level, and we get to help choose them.
• Support Black-owned businesses. Search for those local to you, or shop online. Here's a place to start.
• Consume Black art, books, music, film, and amplify Black voices. This week, I was especially moved by Jordan Casteel's beautiful, intimate portraits, Morgan Harper Nichols’s powerful words, and the film Just Mercy, which tells the incredible story of social justice activist and lawyer Brian Stevenson (watch it for free online).
• Keep talking. Speak up against ignorance and injustice. Have conversations about racism, even when the conversation is uncomfortable, especially when it’s uncomfortable. This might look like explaining to your grandma what all the fuss is about or challenging a racist comment on social media.
• Take care of ourselves. This fight takes energy, and energy is not boundless. Let’s remember that it’s okay to take a break to recharge and refuel. And then we can fight again.
(God Bless the internet—it’s made it easy to find resources for the above actions. If you need help finding any, though, let me know.)