Supporting the #blacklivesmatter movement.

As a child born in the '70s, after the broad social movements of the '60s that led to improved women's rights, I assumed our social culture would keep the momentum going and evolve. It seemed the intelligent move as far as I was concerned that working to eliminate racism and support equal rights was the next logical step. Of course, all of this naïveté is due to my upbringing in a Canadian suburban white family. 

As is the Canadian way, we downplay ourselves so our racism is more subtle but no less an issue. We may not be as bold in our comments or actions, but we will go to all lengths to deny that we do in fact show intolerance or racism of any kind. Speaking as a Canadian, we can do better by acknowledging that we have just as far to go as our US cousins.

Racial justice and equality is a global issue. Much like a virus, racism is highly infectious to social norms and takes the lives of loved ones. 

As a white woman, I support the #blacklivesmatter movement, but my struggle right now is determining what is best for me to do. 

I have pondered over the recent suggestions that we should watch movies and read books by black creators to get a better understanding of the movement and issues.

But here is the thing,

“One can never truly understand what those who are affected are going through. To do so only amplifies the privilege of someone who cannot relate. It is very similar to advocating for someone who is battling/has battled cancer. We can appreciate that it must be difficult, scary, heartbreaking, etc. But until we go through it ourselves, we can never truly understand the day to day of someone living with it. What we CAN do is support them in the best way we know how and sometimes asking how we can help. All the while knowing that we will make some errors along the way.” - Afua Boateng

So after asking questions and talking with colleagues and friends, I'd like to share what I have learned these last two weeks.

Look at the world with kind eyes. I am working on eliminating or at least tamp down the ingrained social judgments I was raised on. So when I am out in the world interacting with my community, I find my heart open when I see others with kindness and put away assumptions. Along the way, as a friend wonderfully put it, you will add more colour to your life. 

Lift up voices that need to be heard. If I see a comment or post that resonates and should be heard, then I can re-tweet or share it. No comment needed. Voices of colour are strong and can hold their own. My part is to amplify their voice, not to assume I speak for them.

This is the tough one, but I think it has the most impact, calling out racial comments to friends and family. Steering around the complaint and annoyance of older generations about political correctness. Just because 30 years ago, no one complained about a label or 'joke' doesn't mean that they didn't do any harm. It was just not a time that the subjects of those comments felt safe to speak up on it.

Learn more about your own local businesses. Yes, among them will be people of colour and supporting their business as part of your day to day needs is perfect. The fallout will be that you support your own local economy. It just seems to make sense to me. As much of a lure that online shopping has, reaching out to your own community will always benefit you in more ways than the click of a purchase. When businesses around your thrive, yours will as well.

And to tie up this list, one that I feel empowered to do as a business owner. Lifting up my network connections. Wanting to learn what I can do, without feeling disingenuous, it was during my Creatives Roundtable video call this week a colleague passed on advice from a black friend who suggested to use LinkedIn and reach out to connections of colour and offer supportive testimonials and even as simple as making a point to like or comment on their posts. And the whole time comes from a place of generosity.  

No one is perfect and guaranteed that I and many will stumble along the way. But as in life, learn from your missteps and avoid holding onto any shame associated with it. Though don’t be shocked when you get called out for making the same mistakes.

You need to ‘do you’ in your way. I hope that there are actions you take that call out anti-racist social norms and/or open doors to people of colour while losing the necessity of labels.

I would like to share that I had feedback on this post from a person of colour whom I admire and has lived with racism as a black woman living here in Canada. Afua Boateng is a powerhouse on any platform as she motivates and teaches people to be leaders in their businesses and lives. It was she whom I quoted above.