2020 has been a difficult, heartbreaking, and tumultuous year in so many ways. The toll COVID is taking on our communities, especially the most disenfranchised among us (disproportionately poor and working-class people of color), remains heartbreakingly gut-wrenching. Governments across the globe have violated the rights of their people repeatedly, from the ongoing police … [Read more...]
We’re Still Here: Decolonize Your Mind About Indigenous People This Thanksgiving
This article was originally published at Truthout under the title "The Future is Indigenous: Decolonizing Thanksgiving" and is reprinted here with permission. In 2015, a video meme circulated prior to Thanksgiving, featuring YouTube personality Franchesca Ramsey humorously breaking down the actual history of the holiday. A wet blanket to her family's Thanksgiving dinner, … [Read more...]
7 Tips for White Parents To Talk to Their Kids About Police Murders of Black People
As a white parent of white kids it would be very easy to ignore the police murders of black people and other people of color. However, as a halfway decent person who wants to raise kids who are not monsters I believe that as white people talking to our kids about white privilege and what is happening in this country to people of color is the literal least we can do. I know it … [Read more...]
What Is the Responsibility of People With Privilege in the Face of Fascism?
If you can possibly stand it, don’t run away. I’ll say it again: don’t run. If your life’s not in danger, if you’re not the one who will be stolen away from your family and locked in a cage next, don’t run away. As much as you can, don’t look away, don’t make concessions to power, don’t excuse, don’t downplay to make yourself or others feel better. I understand that you, … [Read more...]
On Moving the Ego Out of Allyship: Doing the Work Even When No One Commends You
Edit note: The use of lower-case is intentional and the writer's preference. nearly every marginalized person with the platform to do so has already said this, but in case anyone might have missed it: there is no reward for being a good ally, and there is no threshold of welcoming that the marginalized need to maintain for you to care about them. put another way: if you … [Read more...]
On President’s Day: Remember Trump is a Byproduct of White Supremacy
In 1885, President’s Day began as a national holiday to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. Much later, in 1971, this federal holiday was changed to commemorate the lives of all American presidents. This coming President’s Day, many anti-Trump rallies are being organized in the name of a “Not My President's Day.” Ironically enough, the “Not My President” refrain began as a … [Read more...]
The Privilege of Getting Rest: Let’s Shift the Balance
This article was originally published on Rest for Resistance and is republished with permission. Rest for Resistance turned one year old on December 23rd. I’ve been trying to celebrate all month. After all, this journey has been so exciting. I’ve met incredible people who have been kind enough to share their perspectives and wisdom. And this has all happened as a result … [Read more...]
