Being Anti-Racist = Being Uncomfortable and That's OK
It’s been a few NY minutes since I’ve written anything creative or business related. I started Follow the Fear with the goal of pushing people and organizations outside their comfort zones to grow. By asking difficult questions and creating spaces that foster curiosity I help people be strong creative leaders in their spaces.
Sometimes I forget to challenge myself to be uncomfortable. And other times like now, the world pushes me so far beyond my comfort zone I retreat. During this time I’ve reflected on racial injustice and am learning how to be an anti-racist.
First and foremost: Having White privilege allows me to educate myself and think about racism instead of experiencing it.
I started this journey back in 2018 while pregnant with my biracial daughter imagining her future: What would the world be like for my half white, half Filipina child and how could I empathize with her experiences?
I spoke with social justice advocates, I read books and watched videos to learn about the construct of race, America’s dirty history and racist policies, and how my unearned privilege has shaped my life. At the same time I scoured bookstores for stories about mixed identities, Filipino culture, and strong female non-white characters, to fill her bookshelf. These were not easy to find, which made me angry.
My actions felt personal so I didn’t speak to many people about it except my partner, and when our screaming baby arrived that fall I put this work on hold.
Again, these luxuries – having six uninterrupted months to bond with my newborn (who I didn’t worry about dying in childbirth nor did I worry about dying myself) coupled with my thoughts of, “I’ll get back to my anti-racism studies later,” as if they were an accredited college course – are the hallmarks of White privilege.
Now that my daughter is almost 2 years old and the world is screaming I can no longer hide in the shadows being ‘not racist.’ Now, publicly, I’m vowing to do better. I’m following my fears, stepping outside my comfort zone to be an anti-racist, a choice that encompasses tiny actions every day.
Here are some actions I pledge to start or continue:
To seek out Black and brown collaborators to work with - let’s connect on LinkedIn.
To refuse to be speak at or attend panels or conferences with only White people in leadership roles. Need help finding underrepresented speakers? See this resource
To purposefully read books (for myself and my daughter) that are written by Black and brown people.
To purposefully watch TV and film made by Black and brown people that feature Black and brown voices.
To use my voice to speak up and challenge family, friends, strangers, and businesses who support racist ideas and policies.
To use my money to support Black local businesses and anti-racist organizations.
To vote for Black, brown, and women politicians.
To listen to and give space to Black and brown voices.
To think about race everyday.
Being anti-racist is a marathon not a sprint. While breaking down centuries-old policies and ideas can feel overwhelming, we can make small choices each day that will build towards a more equitable community, country, and world. This work can’t be done alone or in the dark.
What are some anti-racist actions that you can take that may you feel uncomfortable?
In Solidarity, Lisa
****Some Black and POC media I’m consuming right now****
For Adults
Listen to Tracee Ellis Ross on NPR’s It’s Been a Minute share her thoughts on racism + sexism today
Read and follow humor pieces by Chereese Foster on Medium (especially her recent piece “A Guide to Making Your Protest...as Inoffensive as Possible”)
Read journalist Erica Edwards perspective on how solutions journalism can affect real change
Read Here For It by R. Eric Thomas (a memoir-in-essays)
Read How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi (I’m loving the audio version)
Watch Insecure on HBO (created by the talented and funny Issa Rae who is also the star)
Watch Trevor Noah’s video discusses racial injustice and police brutality in simple and eye-opening language
Watch #BlackAF on Netflix (created by Kenya Barris and also stars)
For Kids: Books and Book Lists
I am Enough by Grace Byers
Anti-Racist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
Mixed by Arree Chung
New York Public Library’s Black Liberation List for Young Readers
The Conscious Kid: Anti-Racism Books for Ages 0-18
Do you have any other recommendations I and other readers should check out? Please share in the comments.