4 responses to “Racial Equity Anti Hero: White Women”

1. 

   Julia Tayler

   March 14, 2021

   Just another reminder that the history we learned is not necessarily what really happened. When you take history in school I never thought about who was writing ✍️ the history books and how I should research more. Eyes opening.

2. 

   Rebecca McClinton

   February 27, 2021

   Tiffany speaks to “how Black folks would speak to them (me) if they were actually friends”. It reminds me of conversations we’ve had here inquiring if Black and Brown people feel safe enough with us to give us candid feedback. I want that, and want them to know I’ll hold my own hand and not demand to be taken care off (not their responsibility, mine.).

3. 

   Christina Sonas

   February 26, 2021

   As a dedicated student of history, I feel like one of the biggest things I can contribute to the dismantling of white supremacy is correcting the myths most white people hold as history. That includes the lies they believe about white people and events, and the vast gaps they have about non-white people and events, and the whitewashed intersections between the two. Existing within that mythology makes it very difficult for myth-busting antiracist thoughts and actions to take root — they get crowded out, choked off. There is definitely language correction that is not automatic for me yet, like “the 19th amendment gave _white_ women the vote” instead of just “women”. The more accurately I speak, the more I am breaking down the myths.

4. 

   Danielle Holcombe

   February 26, 2021

   A lot of times when I think I’m noticing growth and progress in my anti-racism work, all I have to do is look at my relationship with my partner. He gets hopefully some of the best, but for sure also the worst of me. And I think about the ways he has introduced me to different aspects of Black culture and cringe when I recall how often I center whiteness. I’m feeling so uncomfortable right now just thinking through those moments….where maybe I muse out loud about x, y, z tv show with a mostly Black cast and ask some question about how they talk about white people on this show.
   Sorry if the above is confusing. I’m vaguely remembering a specific instance but can’t remember the show or exactly what we said – but I’m trying to say that the show didn’t address how any of the characters felt about white people and I expected that to be in there. Even if it was animosity, I expected to see a reference to white people. And he was like….”It isn’t about y’all.”
   And my face flushed and I immediately thought of Toni Morrison. I don’t remember her exact words and won’t share an unvetted quote anyway but she talked often about who she wrote FOR and why. And it wasn’t for white folks.
   I have definitely continued to center whiteness and when I do that, I cannot lessen and mitigate harm to Black and brown people, perpetuated by white people and by white supremacy…..because I’m not even looking at them.