Being politically correct doesn’t work
I’m tired of trying to be politically correct (PC). I’m also sad because I had to remind myself that political correctness doesn’t even technically exist.
I heard about being PC when I was a kid, but it never made any sense to me until college while I was studying for my BA in Emerging Media and Communications at UT Dallas.
This Vox article elaborates. As well as these 2 AP News articles:
Political correctness endangers us
Political correctness? Nope. It’s not being offensive
The idea of talking about being PC last year frightened me, why? I’m still figuring that out, but I’m motivated to push past that now… because silence is compliance, and I will not be compliant with injustice.
Black Lives Matter
I’m beyond inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and want to improve as an ally.
The mysterious kidnappings by secret police of protestors made my stomach drop. I didn’t think Trump would go as far as actively sending federal troops to silence dissenters… our country is doing what we’ve invaded other countries for. This is disgusting and embarrassing.
The US is repeating History by not learning it. We must come together. We must acknowledge systematic racism, the excessive violence, and imprisonment.
A final spark that ignited my inspiration to further this discussion was this Naked Athena. A white woman like myself, she was making a bold statement to say the least. The vulnerability. She did something I’d never do, but I admire her. Seeing her I thought, “If she can do that, then I can at least muster the courage to speak.”
The second episode of this series was going to be “How to find happiness when the world is on fire” but at the time… George Floyd’s death had just taken place and I was seeing what was unfolding in Minneapolis. It felt inappropriate to post at that time, and it will until I speak my peace and stand up for what is right.
Silence is compliance to the violence we’re witnessing.
We as white people have so many privileges that we take for granted, I’m guilty for ignorance and bigotry in my past… however, I want to use my knowledge and platform to be the change I want to see.
White people, we need to do better. We need to stand up for what is right and have some tough conversations with family. Myself included.
I’ve found an amazing resource to help be better allies to our brothers and sisters of color:
Scaffolding Anti-Racism Resources (the first link inside up top has immediate action steps to being a better ally)
Some hard work has gone into that document, and while its not the most visual, I believe that is one of the best comprehensive documents on anti-racism I’ve ever seen. For those of you with family you’ve been avoiding, maybe find a point or two in there for the next conversation? If they’re curious about where you got the information, share the link with them.
We cannot be asleep at the wheel. We must resist, persist, and be the change. Be open to change your mind when presented with information that contradicts your beliefs. We must empathize and listen, its more important than ever.
Silence is compliance to the violence we’re witnessing.
There is balance in diversity. We need to be having some hard conversations and become better allies to BIPOC.
