Have you found yourself quoting the words of a Black activist, past or present, but ESPECIALLY activists of the past who are no longer living? Did you interpret those words to be defending or in anyway justifying thoughts that involve controlling, diminishing, demeaning, glossing over, softening, etc. what Black people are doing or saying or planning on doing? Are you white or a non Black person of color? If so, then those words need to stay out of your mouth, until you can sit with yourself and fully grasp why those words were spoken.

Those words were not said for your peace or comfort.

If anything, you, and even me, should read those words and feel conviction. Shame even, but not the toxic kind. It’s ridiculous that white and non Black people of color are quoting MLK or James Baldwin or John Lewis or even Malcom X, as if their words were uttered for white people to feel better about white peopling, or for other people of color to uphold white peopling.

No. Those words were not, are not and will never be words that belong to you.

They aren’t here with us, to slap the words from the mouths of covert racists or racist complicit. That does not mean their words can be twisted to make you feel better about your existence as a “moderate”. If you are sharing these words, and ONLY white people, whom you know are not standing unabashedly behind our Black community, are responding to you in affirmation, that should be a huge red flag to you that you’re doing it wrong and you are part of the harm.

These words should not bring you peace, nor should they comfort you. These words should weigh heavily on you while the Black people in this country still endure violent oppression and inequities. Yes, you should feel responsibility. Yes, you are at fault. You were born into it. If you weren’t born into it, then you were acclimated to upholding it.

The scales weigh in your favor. It’s your job to make sure you balance the scales. Or don’t. Either way, the tides are changing. There is no more time for complacency and willful ignorance. The scales will be balanced. You can be a part of why they are balanced, or you can sit on the wrong side of history.

Do better. Now.