In any uprising, it can be difficult to pinpoint opportunities for actionable change. To that end, Vogue is featuring op-eds from several community leaders about what they see as some concrete goals of the protests currently happening around the country.
Yesterday, my Instagram feed was an endless scroll of unadorned black boxes posted by white and nonblack users who pledged to “listen,” “learn,” and “make space” for Black voices to be heard. And yet with each successive blackout post, it soon became clear that this latest wave of milquetoast social media activism was achieving the exact opposite of its intended effect. Crucial information shared by activists and educators was now buried beneath a sea of black squares, especially those tagged #blacklivesmatter. Captions were amended to advise against that hashtag, but the damage had already been done.
Consider another popular post that made the rounds recently on Instagram—you know the one. Thick, wavy, lettering that lends an almost groovy aura to South African cleric and activist Desmond Tutu’s words: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” The second half of that quote, the part not included in this graphic image, continues, “If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” The mouse wouldn’t benefit much from your Instagram post either.
So if you’re a person that wants to be an ally to the Black community, let’s begin here: Put down your phone.
Just as neutrality won’t put you in good stead with the cause of righteousness, neither will claims that you’re “not racist.” The notion is a myth; certainly 400-plus years of deeply ingrained social programming didn’t simply skip over you, regardless of your good intentions. Racism lives within all of us. Your active allyship work begins with letting this realization sink in, and then taking steps towards becoming anti-racist.
If you’ve been paying attention, I suspect you already know something about what this work entails. It means unlearning and self-education; continual conversations with the casually, moderately, and virulently racist people in your own circles; supporting policies that reduce racial inequality; speaking up and out against everyday injustice as well as the incidents that make national news; showing up in person when possible to protest; and listening intently to the words and direction of those with whom you’re standing in solidarity.
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June 04, 2020 at 03:41AM
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Want to Be an Ally to the Black Community? First: Put Down Your Phone - Vogue.com
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