For me, being afraid to say the wrong thing about white privilege is far less frightening than saying nothing.
“Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
-Elie Wiesel
I believe wholeheartedly that if I am not part of the solution, I am part of the problem.
This is a time to listen, learn, give, grow and love.
I have shared content that I feel is helpful, donated to organizations I believe in, I’m continually talking with my daughter to help educate her (and myself) more, prioritizing listening and learning from friends and experts and most importantly, opening my heart and mind.
In speaking out in support of our black brothers and sisters, you fear you might lose customers, social media followers or offend someone, think really freaking hard about that egotistical fear. Really??!! If shedding light on the problems happening and what we can do about it offends people enough to unfollow you, did you really want their ignorant energy around you?
The people who have stopped following me and my brands have shown me who they are.
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
-Maya Angelou
I loved Seth Godin’s “I can’t imagine” post that closed with:
“We’ll make things better by seeing, by speaking, by doing the work. Even if it’s uncomfortable, especially when it is.”
Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Change doesn’t happen when things are comfortable. Being uncomfortable is part of the process.
I am working harder than I ever have to be humble, empathetic, helpful, conversational and respectful.
Our clients did not post to social media on Tuesday, June 2nd to recognize and honor #blackouttuesday. Blackout Tuesday was not about posting a black picture and leaving social media for the day. The act of not promoting yourself, brand or your business served to amplify the voices and initiatives of the Black community. Some chose to post an all black photo to Instagram to show their support as well as posting messages of solidarity under those images, some chose to post nothing, moving posts scheduled for that day to hit other times. The point being to post less and instead read, re-share and support the posts of the black community.
We will continue to social share quotes and information on social media that help us “pull up.”