As a professional and a fellow human on this earth I stand for equality and stand against the continued inequities, colorblindness, violence and other challenges disproportionately affecting our Black and Brown communities and other communities of color.
It is my overarching professional policy and part of my code of ethics to respect diversity of beliefs and opinions within my clients and refrain from imposing my values; this creates an environment where everyone feels welcome. This means even though I have a particular opinion on particular matters, therapy is a safe place where clients get to explore themselves and their way of being without risk of my judgment. This is still an important part my practice; sitting by in support of racism, however, is not.
The reason I am bringing this up is in an effort to start a conversation. Perhaps this conversation is with me. Perhaps there is something that gets sparked from this page, and you take the conversation somewhere else. Perhaps there’s no immediate conversation that gets started here, but my sentiments move you toward more exploration and research on your own.
I am not an expert in this domain and in so many ways am just beginning my true journey toward antiracism. I apologize upfront for areas of inaccuracy, and my naive or ignorant assumptions as well as any glaring and subtle expressions of my privilege. This IS the conversation, and I am open to learning. As for the resources provided, I have collected these through many sources and want to pass them on. These are in no way a complete sampling of resources available and are only a small, very very small expression of opinions on this matter, and ones coming solely through my lens. As well, the language throughout this page speaks loudly to the lack of diversity I anticipate, even in the potential visitors to my site, as it is clearly oriented toward white readers.
My hope is that you are already in support of this movement: the movement of equality for all people; the movement of seeking out the racism in our system, holding people accountable for this and bringing justice; the movement of white people being courageous enough to have difficult conversations; the movement encouraging white people to pause and reflect on our part in the continued challenges of inequities, colorblindness and violence that leave people of color worrying about their opportunities, fearing for their children’s well-being and too often fearing for their lives.
My hope is that you are already inspired by this calling. If this is the case, I want to support your process, but I’m not an expert in this. The way I want to support you in this is by offering another place where the importance of this discussion is made clear and where conversations can take place. I also want to create a place where resources are provided, but more importantly where encouragement is offered to keep reaching out for more resources, to look toward the experts, and to read books by Black and Brown people about their experience. I want to provide a place that encourages a dismantling of the world view that, if you’re a white person, perpetuates you as the center. If you are not in support of this movement, there is still room for a conversation. These conversations are needed as well. The conversation will be different, but no less important.
Two Brilliant Books to Support Your Anti-Racist Journey
Dr. Ibram Kendi’s How to Be an Anti-Racist
Named one of the best books of the year by New York Times Review, Time, NPR, Washington Post, and others, Dr. Kendi provides an invaluable resource for those interested in anti-racism. With the support of historical references and personal narrative, Dr. Kendi informs readers about hierarchies of human value, and intersections of oppression, as well as important terminology to help one understand racism and more importantly anti-racism and the real need for people to take an active stand in the fight against racism.
Me and My White Supremacy, by Layla F. Saad
This is a 28 day challenge intended for white people and people passing as white to explore their own experiences of privilege, prejudice and racism. Note: this book is not for or about the radically racist, although they could benefit as well. It’s actually for “regular people,” those people Saad mentions in the book, who see themselves as “one of the good guys,” like me, who believe just thinking well of people of color, or wishing things were easier for them is enough, but who aren’t really doing anything to change the situation or make it better for people of color. This situation can lead, often unconsciously and unintentionally, to perpetuating racist ideas, which support inequities and marginalization at best and cause outright harm at the worst.
The book educates on a new important term each day and helps readers understand the devastating impact these experiences have on Black and Brown people and communities of color. Journal prompts are also provided to help white readers and readers passing as white to explore the personal ways they were taught racist ideas, how they have internalized these beliefs and how they have perpetuated, or are still perpetuating, racist ideas.
And Simply Changing What's Right in Front of You Can Help
- Find ways to change up your Pandora or Spotify algorithm to include Black and Brown artists
- Bring new voices and ideas into your social media platforms
- Go beyond the videos offered on the side of your YouTube video by actively searching other topics, artists, speakers, etc
Some ideas if you need them:
- Nikole Hannah-Jones, journalist, New York Times Magazine and creator of #1619project, a well-crafted audio series that illuminates the inequities between Blacks and whites, historically and currently as well as the contributions of Black people throughout American history
- Billy Porter, actor, singer, first openly gay Black man to be nominated and win in any lead acting category at the Primetime Emmys; one of Time Magazine’s most influential people of 2020
- Dr. Bettina Love, author, activist, public speaker and professor. Dr. Love’s fields of contribution include: antiracism, carceral studies, education reform, Hip Hop feminism, queer youth, abolition, and Black joy, among others
- Mahogany L. Brown, poet/performer
Local Opportunities to Get Involved
SURJ – Showing Up for Racial Justice A home for white people working for justice
CIRC – Colorado Immigrant Right Coalition
AFSC – American Friends Service Committee Quaker action for a just world
Motus Theater -working to facilitate dialogue on critical issues
INVST Antiracism Study Group put on through CU Boulder; meets on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 MT; to inquire about joining please send an email to invst@colorado.edu.
Children and Prostests
In 2020 and 2021 there was a lot going on in kiddos’ worlds that looked and felt very different than other times in their lives. This included changes due to Covid-19 as well as political and racial unrest, tension and movement. During this time children were separated from loved ones, friends, and teachers; faces were covered by masks; moms and dads looked more worried and were probably more irritable; and sometimes just driving through town, or in front of their schools, there were masked and unmasked people chanting, honking and holding signs that were saying a lot of things that might not make much sense for them.
I am hopeful these kiddos have parents who are talking with them about this. I also imagine though that with many, it’s hard to know what to say.
If you are a parent, I want to help you find ways to talk with your children.
Except for a few points that are oriented specifically for adopted children, the perspective, language, and support offered in this article is applicable to all kiddos; it includes a good bullet-point list of things to consider
Article: Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News
This is an article through childmind.org with encouragement for: validating feelings, being clear and direct, not avoiding the conversation, encouraging questions and making room for feelings, including your own.
Article: How do you Talk with Your Kids about Protests and Racism
This is a great article provided by CNN to help parents better understand: the need of self-care for the parents; age and developmental factors to consider; and a little commentary about how important “the talk” is among Black families but the fear now that it’s not enough. The video at the top of the page is discussing the heartbreak of African Americans and the need for police reform and accountability.
Some Good Books to Support Kiddos with Understanding Racism, Privilege and Activism
This inspiring book tells the story of Sylvia Mendez, a child with Mexican and Puerto Rican roots, who helped end school segregation in California a decade before it was deemed unconstitutional at the national level.
This book helps children grapple with colorism and question what society teaches them about beauty and value. Written by Academy-Award winning actor Lupita Nyong’o.
This book inspires young readers to push for change — without waiting for permission.
Written by Malala Yousafzai
This book encourages kids and parents to celebrate and talk openly about the diversity they see in the world around them.
Written by Matt de la Pena
This is a great book about the value kindness and empathy.
Written by Jacqueline Woodson
This book helps white families teach their children about racism, privilege and white supremacy so that kids understand what it means to be actively anti-racist.
Written by Anastasia Higginbotham
Antiracist Baby
A children’s book written by Dr. Ibram Kendi that illustrates a world of love and diversity and discusses the “nine steps to make equality a reality.”
The reviews are mixed with some people claiming the language is too advanced for young children and others think it’s great. You can listen to it on youtube at Story Time with Kayla
Goodnight Racism
This is all about imagining what is possible. Written by Dr. Ibram Kendi, publish date set for summer 2022
Story Time with Kayla is a youtube channel featuring a young Black woman reading bedtime stories where Black characters, themes and language is the focus