Anti-Racism Resources

 

IT’S UP TO WHITE PEOPLE TO DO THE WORK

by Lauren Trend

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We’ve been told, many times, that this platform isn’t the place for “politics.” That topics of “self-care” should offer a moment of reprieve.

I fundamentally and wholeheartedly disagree. To ‘stay out of politics’ is privilege in action.

For marginalised folx especially, self-care IS political. We don’t get to say or decide otherwise.

It is entirely neglectful to talk about well-being without addressing the systems, policies and deeply engraved behaviours that perpetuate racism, bullying, exclusion and marginalised suffering.

We exist to empower you to care for yourselves.
But most importantly, we exist to empower you to show up not only for yourselves but for your community at large.

So today I ask the white / white passing members of our community sit with the following questions:

1. Who taught you about race and culture?
2. What do you know?
3. What do you need to know more about?
4. Who taught you how to handle conflict and difference?
5. How do you, actually, handle conflict and difference?
6. Are you avoidant?
7. Are you scared of being wrong?
8. Why is that more important than being a part of the conversation, at all?
9. White people, what can you do better to support POC in your community?
10. How do you behave when you’re confronted with racist behaviour?


We all need to be doing more and better.

Enough spiritual bypassing. Enough praising the “thought leaders” doing the bare minimum. It’s time to question every person and business you admire, follow & ask if they’re committed to doing the work.

And please let’s remember: the work exists & continues outside of the internet.

White people; untie your tongues.
Silence is apathy and apathy kills.

“Spirituality” is not an excuse. This work is not secular.
SpiritualIty and radical action towards injustice are counterparts.
What is & remains “low vibrational” is privilege in action.

For the white and privileged, please know:

The work is uncomfortable.
The work will test relationships.
The work will ruin relationships.
The work will put a strain on your life.
The work comes at a cost.

And so it should.


More questions for white / white passing community members to sit with:

11. Where are you committed (outside the internet) to ending racial discrimination and systematic oppression?
12. What does that look like?
13. Why is it necessary for you & everyone you know to do this work? Get painfully clear on this.
14. In what ways, when and how have you actively ignored this work In the past?
15. Who do you owe an apology to, for this? How can you show you are sorry not with words only, but tangible and quantitative action?
16. What resources have you found and can you share when white people say, “I just don’t know what to do, I feel helpless.”

No white person reserves the right to feel helpless in this situation.
Do the work.

MY PERSONAL PLEDGE — Lauren Trend, SP Founder


I will stand in solidarity with Black, Indigenous + POC communities.

I will raise the raise and amplify the voices of Black, Indigenous + POC communities.

I will use my privilege to advocate for Black, Indigenous, POC and marginalised individuals and communities.

I will respect the boundaries of Black, Indigenous, POC and marginalised individuals and communities.

I will work to actively dismantle both overt and subvert racism and discrimination against Black, Indigenous, POC and marginalised individuals and communities.

I will proactively do the work to educate myself further on the injustices Black, Indigenous, POC + marginalised individuals and communities face and have faced.

I will share my learnings with my community.

I will not remain silent during pivotal cultural moments that impact Black, Indigenous, POC and marginalised communities.


29 - 05 - 20





 
Policy & ActionLauren TrendSelf Practice, Anti-Racism, Black Lives Matter, POC, BIPOC