“You are here at the start of a moment…” – Welcome to the Rock: Come From Away
“I can’t breathe.”
When I struggle to breathe, I know I have access to an inhaler.
When I struggle to breathe, I know I have access to a doctor.
When I struggle to breathe, I know I have access to an emergency room.
When I struggle to breathe, I know the cause – asthma.
When I struggle to breathe, it is not because of the color of my skin.
When I struggle to breathe, it is not because of a knee on the back of my neck or an arm wrapped around my throat.
When I struggle to breathe, it is not because of police brutality.
When I struggle to breathe, it is not because of socioeconomic inequality.
When I struggle to breathe, it is not because of healthcare inequality.
When I struggle to breathe, it is not because of environmental racism.
When I struggle to breathe, it is not because of white supremacy.
When I struggle to breathe, it is not because of systemic oppression and systemic racism.
When I struggle to breathe, it is not because of America.
This is my white privilege.
America is stealing the breath from Black people, from indigenous people, from people of color.
And this is what American political, economic, and social systems were built to do.
When I was younger, I was captivated by the story of America. In awe of our founding principles and systems, I had faith in America as a beacon upon a hill, a guide to the world. I was poisoned by the myth of American exceptionalism.
As I have grown older, the truth seeps in through the cracks left by white-washed history. The truth that America was founded through the destruction and purposeful marginalization of Black and Brown bodies is undeniable. Our founding principles and systems were intended to serve white, land-owning, men. And they continue to work as designed.
What now? How do I examine and unlearn my implicit biases? How do I work to dismantle systemic oppression? How do I listen? How do I center and amplify BIPOC voices? How do I dig into anti-racist work? How do I turn that work into a daily habit?
White silence is complicit. White silence is violence.
Do not make BIPOC responsible for your education. Give BIPOC space to heal and grieve without being bombarded by white guilt and white demands.
I am examining my privilege and strengths in order to identify my niche in the social change ecosystem.
(Read more about Deepa Iyer and Solidarity Is and Building Movement Project here and here.)
There are so many ways I wish I could plug in, but I recognize that I have shortcomings – I do not have the skills, the training, or the ability in some of those areas.
I have spent time studying the intersections of academic disciplines – political science, theatre, history, peace and conflict studies, environmental studies.
I have spent time teaching at a public high school and at a private college.
Maybe this is where I can be of service.
White folks: If you are now embarking on the journey – welcome! – to understand systemic oppression, to unlearn biases, to acknowledge privilege, and to dig into anti-racism work, you may notice terms and ideas that pop up continuously in discourse. Our education systems (with the exception of some instructors and some classes) have largely failed to provide education on social justice.
I have compiled materials from various lecture notes for courses I have taught and fashioned them into a brief guide (accessible below).
I hope this can be a starting point for those interested in learning about systemic oppression and violence, about privilege, about conflict transformation.
Again, this is meant to be a beginning. It is by no means exhaustive. It is by no means comprehensive. It is by no means an end. It is by no means enough.
I cannot be out in the streets with you at this time. My multiple chronic illnesses put me at high-risk of COVID-19 complications. My concern extends beyond my body; I live with two high-risk individuals and I do not want to contribute to community spread.
But hopefully this guide helps someone gain their footing and gain understanding. Hopefully it is a stepping stone to further research and to direct action.
I continue to witness protests unfold across America and across the world.
And I wonder why the tipping point came now, but I am glad it did.
My biggest fear is that change – real, concrete, lasting – will not come. That this will be some sort of blip in the timeline of history, not the turning point so many need.
When the doubt creeps in, I am reminded of so many former students speaking up, showing up, demanding change. If you are one of my former students and are reading this now: I am proud of you. Do not let up. Do not give up.
Maybe, just maybe, 2020 will be the turning point.
Maybe, just maybe, 2020 will be growth.
Maybe, just maybe 2020 will create lasting positive change.
Maybe, just maybe, Black lives will matter.
[Download my guide here:]
A Starting Point – Social Justice
within and without 