Series come and go, it’s just the nature of the beast. Sometimes a host blog drops the series, sometimes my writing brain shifts, sometimes there’s no way to know but I thought I’d talk about one I wrote 2018 through the first half of 2021.

The series — is? was? what constitutes a truly defunct series, one might ask? Anyway, it’s called small bites. Check out the link if you’re new here and curious to see some of the posts. Actually this will make more sense if you’ve skimmed a couple of those so at the risk of sounding click-baitish skitter on over there for a minute then come back.

Everyone with me now? Alrighty, let’s go.

I’d say I started doing serious work on race issues in America sometime around 2015.

But Laura, don’t you have two kids who are Black? Why yes, yes I do. And I’ll note here how extraordinarily embarrassing it is to admit I only started a deep dive on these issues eight years ago. I’ll add that very few Black people would be surprised by this but it’s my own stuff and an issue for journaling so let’s keep it moving.

I learn on a variety of platforms and can’t for the life of me source this because I heard it a couple of years ago. Apologies. I’ll do better.

It seems white people follow a consistent arc in social justice work. Initially we bang up against it. We’re fighting how we see ourselves, core truths we were taught in childhood, our dogmatic belief in a just world for those who “work hard.” We struggle. Even the ones who come in yelling Black Lives Matter knowing something is very wrong find themselves unexpectedly wrestling with deeper issues.

In stage two melanin deprived folks hit a fiery period. We scream about the injustice, the violence, the roadblocks for people who don’t look like us. We take up space yelling LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING. You can argue all day about whether we’re shining light in the hopes other pale people finally see or are virtue signaling “Racism is horrific, but I’m one of the good ones.” Ultimately, we take up space.

Sometime in 2021 I finally heard it when one of my teachers said be quiet and listen. I’ve learned a lot. I’m learning more every day. I’m still learning how to use these tools to be helpful instead of hurtful and man, it’s a slow process.

So why are you out here opening your big mouth again, Laura? Huh? Huh??

I’m stepping in because I don’t want you guys to think I was under the impression Trump got voted out so everything is fine again. Everything is far from fine.

If you’re interested in listening these are just a few teachers out there sharing knowledge. I’ve learned a lot on TikTok but I know some people think that app’s the devil so I’ll stick with Instagram, YouTube, and websites.

https://www.whitewomanwhisperer.com/blog

Portia Noir – Let’s Heal Through Learning