This is a difficult time. It’s a time for recognizing our own shortcomings. A time of disappointment.

How can things have gotten this bad? They always were?

Some people knew this revolution would be inevitable. Their parents knew, for generations back. Those people are in this revolution for the long haul.

Suddenly black bodies and lives are starting to matter. We have a lot to learn to make this right.

White pals, for real, i feel your pain. i’m sorry for how brutal and raw and new this all feels. i’m sure there’s so much more complexity for you right now than you feel there is space allowed.

Your work starts at home. Start with you. Do some reading, and when you’re ready, discussing among fellow white people. This revolution is only for you in this way. This is our only opportunity to be effective allies. Our work starts way behind the front lines, all the way at home.

In no way here am i suggesting lack of participation otherwise. To be clear: the work you do at home should be done in conjunction with any other participation you can muster. You should be doing everything you can (always tend to your own needs first!) by following POC voices and leadership.

But the work at home is a fucking lot. It’s an emotional fuckwith, a gotdamn rollercoaster. An actual, real life nightmare. You have to be angry. At society, politics, money, everyone you know, yourself. Everything sucks, for real. But we are late af to this party. POC have been knowing this whole thing was garbage for generations. We gotta catch up.

This is our work. We don’t ask POC to help us. In truth, everything we need is available. There is all sorts of black-made media to be consumed. So many voices we might learn to understand. These are quiet ways to join the revolution at home. Discuss among friends. Gain that momentum.

i truly encourage shamelessly binging as much black music as possible and doing your best to enjoy the hell outta it. Listen a little harder to your favorite rappers.

This is going to be difficult for a long time, but you are doing this for the next generation. You’re doing it for actual American freedom. For fuck’s sake, freedom for all is worth the discomfort of some.

i am here for this. i am down to discuss and meet you where you are. i’m in it to say, “i have no idea. Maybe we should find out.” Come find me for talks about what it truly might mean to be of color in America. We can talk about what it means to be white too, if that’s needed. Let’s get this conversation going.

We can help. We have a part to play in this revolution. But it is not our revolution, and we must learn about that before we can change the world.