Monthly Review
In the past four weeks we have begun conversations about White Privilege, Systemic Racism, White Fragility, and Representation. This is, of course, only the start but I hope you are beginning to feel empowered to share what you are learning with your friends, family and colleagues.
There is no new content in this week's newsletter. This is a week for you to review what we have covered so far and revisit any weekly challenges you may not have had a chance to implement yet.
Each of us live full lives but we must stay committed to this work and continue to hold each other accountable. I cannot thank you enough for your support in the first month of Accessible Allyship. There are 74 of us! Continue to spread the word. Imagine a world in which all white people intentionally increase their knowledge, empathy and activism. A world where we do not keep our privilege to ourselves but instead, choose to spend it wisely.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
Challenge Review
Take some time to catch up on challenges from previous weeks.
If you have already completed each of these please email me. I am trying to gauge the pacing of this newsletter to maximize its effectiveness.
Week 1:
Share this captivating slam poem by 14 year-old Royce Mann as he talks about his own privilege, share our poignant weekly reading by LaMonica Richard, or share this piece by Brittany Packnett on How to Spend Your Privilege.
Pick one and share however you choose to whether it be posting links to social media accounts, showing the video to a friend over lunch, leaving a copy of the article in your break room, or discussing over dinner with your family.
Week 2:
Choose one from the following:
1. Forward this newsletter to a friend or family member and ask them if they would like to join you in your work to become an effective ally to people of color. Going forward, use this person as someone to share your weekly reflections with. Not only will it help you become more comfortable in your ability to talk about race as well as keep you both accountable.
2. Share this week's media pick, a powerful TEDTalk by Mellody Hobson, Color Blind or Color Brave with a teacher or parent you know.
3. Watch Netflix Documentary 13th with a friend or family member.
4. Share one of the Week 2 statistics and/or their accompanying article on one of your social media channels to raise awareness about the harsh and present-day realities Systemic Racism.
Week 3:
In so many ways, representation matters. "Without proper racial representation, our government risks harming the people it's supposed to serve."
As we saw in last week's newsletter, the make up of current U.S. Government is as follows:
U.S. Congress: 90% white
U.S. Governors: 96% white
President and Vice President: 100% white
U.S. House Freedom Caucus: 99% white
U.S. Presidential Cabinet: 91% white
I challenge you to:
Make sure you are registered to vote
Most voter registration deadlines are in October for this year's midterm elections on November 6, 2018
All deadlines can be found here
Do your research
36 out of 50 Governors will be elected on November 6, 2018
All 435 House Seats are up for election
35 Senate Seats are up for election
Raise awareness about voting in your network
If just 50% of voters vote on November 6th it will be the highest midterm turnout in a century
Being encouraged to vote by someone we care about is extremely effective, check out the spike in voter registration after Taylor Swift posted about the importance of the midterm elections
Week 4:
Head to your local movie theater and see the new release The Hate U Give with a friend or family member. This challenge is two-fold:
This enlightening film will help shed light on the reality of navigating life as a young black girl in America. It is based off the #1 New York Times Best Seller The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. I highly recommend the book as well, but for now I encourage you to get to the theater because...
We need to support diverse films in the box office. As we heard in last week's media, it is crucial to diversify representation in mainstream media. People of color deserve to see themselves represented widely and frequently. This is the norm for white people, but a rarity for people of color. A huge part of making diverse representation a reality is for us to show our support through consumerism.
Weekly Media:
Listen to this enlightening 3 minute video on redefining privilege by activist Janayah Khan.
Weekly Quote:
“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
― Elie Wiesel
Weekly Reflection:
What are your values as you do this work?
For example: I value social justice, empathy, knowledge, action, compassion, and growth.