Tuesday Talk*: Let’s Put On A Play!

As the slacktivists put on sneakers to march their way down Fifth Avenue, bold voices are calling out their convenient performative allyship. Michelle Alexander minces no words.

Our democracy hangs in the balance. This is not an overstatement.

Of course, it would be wrong of me, a white male lawyer, to disagree with a black female saint, but if I were permitted under the current rules of engagement to call bullshit, I might be inclined to do so.

But slightly less hyperbolic, Holiday Phillips offers some nuts and bolts ideas for how to stop being a performative ally and being a good white person in this time of need. Who, you ask?

Renegade sociologist — often found playing at the intersection of love + justice.

And she’s got stuff to tell us white folks.

I could go on.

These tragedies, just the most recent examples in a long history of violence against black people, have led to an explosion of attention on social media.

Still, as a black woman, instead of feeling inspired by this act of solidarity, I found myself feeling angry and afraid. Looking through my feed, I wanted to say to my white friends, “You’re here now, but where are you the other 364 days a year when anti-racism isn’t trending? When racism isn’t tucked safely behind the screen in your hand, but right there in front of your face?”

My first inclination was to tell her that I’ve not only done it 364 days a year for longer than she’s been alive, but that would have just been my “privilege” talking since I’m probably only alive because I’m a white man. Her point is that instead of wishing her, as a black woman, hope and prayers, she wants money.

Act with your wallet

This, I believe, is the greatest thing you as a white person can do to support BIPOC.** If you are disgusted by the centuries of state-sponsored theft from black, Asian, and indigenous people’s lands, then support BIPOC-owned businesses. Initiate your own program of reparations by actively looking for products and services you use regularly and finding alternatives created by BIPOC. And if you’re heartbroken by the exploitation of people of color in some of the poorest countries in the world, refuse to buy from the fashion and technology companies that continue to shamelessly exploit adults and children in their labor practices.

Of course, in order to have money to spend in support of BIPOC, you probably need a job. She’s got that covered too.

Call out people in real life

It’s easy to call people out when you’re hidden behind a keyboard. You know what’s hard? Calling out your boss when he routinely mixes up your two Indian colleagues, or facing off with your racist relative when they start talking about “immigrants taking our jobs.” If you can’t yet speak up, that’s okay, but recognize that fact and commit to doing your work so that, one day soon, you can.

Even if you don’t have two Indian colleagues, there’s got to be something your boss does that’s racist. If you don’t see it, it’s only because you’re racist too, you racist.

Inform yourself

It’s all too easy to focus on the people “out there” — the evil ones, the KKK, the neo-Nazis. Almost every sensible person believes these people and their views are deplorable. But because they are marginal and few in number, they have little power and influence over the mechanics of society. You know what does have mass influence? Systemic white apathy and privilege. And I’m sorry to say, if you’re white, no matter how nice you are, unless you’re doing serious and sustained personal anti-racism work, you are a part of the machine. Ask your BIPOC friends about their experiences of racism and listen. Engage in ways to confront your own biases. Read books on the history of racism in your country.

Are you one of those white people who read that TERF J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books to your kids? Why not Angela Davis?

But she does make one curious suggestion.

Do something that no one will ever know

Challenge yourself to do things quietly, like changing the things you buy, giving your platform to a BIPOC, or educating yourself on the history of racism without telling everyone about how educated you now are. That way, you know you’re really down for the cause — and not the cause of looking like a woke person.

But then, how will anybody know how woke you are and what you’ve sacrificed? So what will you do to make the world better or, as Saint MIchelle puts it, save democracy which hangs in the balance?

*Tuesday Talk rules apply.

**BIPOC stand for “black, indigenous, and people of color.” It might seem redundant, but that just shows you are racist.

H/T Chris Van Wagner