Having White Friends as Allies

To my darling girls,

Some of my White Facebook friends ask what they can do to assist in the struggle for racial equality and justice. 

This is what I tell them:

• Call out your racist family members and friends when they spew their hatred

• Expose your racist social media friends and use screen shots to make their racist posts go viral

• Make your friends of color aware of the racists in their circle (many racists find it easy to “skin and grin” with people of color; let us know who they are)

• Advocate for people of color at work

  
  

If your White friends are not willing to advocate for you and other people of color, you have no business being friends with them. What would be the point?

Much love to you,

Auntie

Advocate for Others

Dear girls,

Please advocate for other oppressed people.

For example, when other people of color, disabled people and Muslims are mistreated, please speak up. Why? The next person who is mistreated could be you, and you would want someone to stand up for you.

I love you for life.

Auntie

Be Advocates for Others

Dear girls,

I hope and pray you will be advocates for others – including Black women.

If you remember nothing else, please remember these tidbits:

1. Play a role in the fight for justice. Find an activity that resonates with you and get involved.

2. Involve White people to the cause. If they are sincere and want to help, embrace them.

3. Do not apologize for wanting to help your own people. Being pro-Black does not mean you are anti-White.

4. Have courage. You can’t worry about what folks are going to say. They are going to talk about you no matter what you do.

5. Identify other young people with passion and encourage them to become activists. Be real and authentic. If not, they will not deal with you – and they shouldn’t.

6. Support others. You are going to expect support from others. You need to give it if you want to receive it.

7. Leverage your authority, position and power to help others. Your fancy job title and degrees – which you will earn one day – will not matter if you do not have the guts to use them for good.