Got an email the other day from Damali Ayo, an artist whose work I am grateful for.
She says:
your mission, should you choose to accept it, is:
send me your list (note: Damali's email is damali (at) damaliayo.com) of:
1) five things white people can do to combat (eliminate) racism/improve our current racial dynamics
2) five things people of color can do to combat (eliminate) racism/improve our current racial dynamics
i'm going to review, and compile these and send them to the list, post them on my web site, and make them a part of my presentations to schools and communities. (if anyone has an "in" with a billboard company, please let me know- i've always wanted to do a billboard project, and this would be perfect.)
why?
because people are always asking me to tell them "what to do?!?!" and to come up with solutions to the problems i illuminate. and i firmly believe that the more of us who are involved in creating those solutions, the better chance they have of working for all of us.
so have your voice heard, and disseminated, ayo-style.
a now-art project will follow to help disseminate these solutions, and there may be t-shirts, and interviews. maybe we can start a movement....
damali
Okay, this is Shelley again. Here are the five things I sent to Damali as my ideas for what we white folks can do:
1) make a conscious decision to consider racism "your problem"
2) spend some time in situations in which you are seriously in the minority and reflect on your experiences
3) commit to confronting racism when you see, hear, read, or experience it
4) actively seek out the perspectives and insights of those who are doing "the heavy lifting" with regards to fighting (eliminating) racism
5) if a friend shares their experience of racism with you, LISTEN. Resist any urge to jump in and minimize or excuse their feelings.
Wanna help?
4 comments:
I like your list. I've found that really listening to people and believing their experience to be eye-opening. Also, watching how others are treated when the opportunity presents itself. Like, why is that table of well dressed, polite, obviously kind brown skinned people being served after the three tables of white skinned folk (including some polite and some downright rude) who came in up to 15 minutes after them? Asking the wait staff can open eyes.
hey, thanks for posting this and your 5 things list! have you checked out her other 5 things lists at http://damaliayo.com/pages/connected.htm ? if you really like the way damali inspires dialogue, you should consider bringing her to speak at your school or organization.
just email info@damaliayo.com...
enjoy, and keep up the good work!
heather day,
assistant to damali ayo.
I like your list. I can't think of anything to add right off the top of my head... I'll have to ponder it. Thanks for the link.
There's a project around Boston called something like White People Challenging Racism.
I went to one of their training classes. It was a start, but still much more must be done.
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