Hey, white friends and family: We have some work to do.
And, if you know me, you know I’m pretty handy with a work plan. So, I wanted to share some questions and prompts for you to make your own anti-racism work plan.
UPDATE: I got a lot of positive feedback and requests, so I’ve made this into a free workbook for you to use and share.
Here is a PDF of the workbook that you can use as a guide to focus all your buzz and energy into a practice that sustains through elections:
Want to dive in and create as you go? Here is an editable Google slides deck that you can save and use to walk through the steps to create your own practice.
Back to the original post…
Grab a pen or start a working document. Here we go:
What are my:
Talents
Resources
Connections
Areas of power or influence
What are you good at?
What can you offer?
Who do you know?
Who listens to you?
What are my personal policies and practices?
(And do they line up with my values?)
In my social life
With my family
At my job
How I inform myself
How I vote
How I spend my money
What does my activism look like?
And, what do I want it to look like? If you stay ready you don’t have to get ready.
Routinely (Regular reading and listening, conversations, giving and meetings)
Escalation(campaigns, marches, fundraising drives, calling/texting, supporting laws and policies that can make a difference)
In a crisis(marching, protests, supplying protesters, supporting bail funds, providing safe transportation or a safe place to stay)
Who am I listening to and following locally?
Where is your political home and political information coming from?
Identify organizers, leaders and groups led by Black people, people of color, queer people and immigrants in your city.
Listen to them.
Give to them.
Follow their priorities.
Identify your accountability team
Who are the other white people in your life to have conversations with, challenge each other, check in with and support each other.
Start the text or app group, email thread with this group NOW, so you are already in the practice.
Your feelings, questions and emotions are not for the Black people or people of color in your life to solve.
You have an important role to play.
I don’t want to live in a world where this is our normal.
I don’t think you do either.
It’s not just to help others, it’s to help us live in a better, freer place.
So, let’s get with it and get everyone free.
