Inspiring and Challenging Each Other as White Allies
I am the moderator of the new RC e-mail discussion list for white allies ending racism. I sent the following to this list to welcome everyone and provide some guidelines. If you have not signed up for this list, I welcome you to do so. The instructions for signing up are on page 90 in this Present Time and on the RC website at <https://www.rc.org/page/publication/guidelines_lists/subscribe>.
It is an interesting time to be alive, as racism becomes more visible (mostly to us white people) and responses to it become more powerful and united. We have a lot of work to do, and we can do it now.
I am happy that we now have this RC e-mail discussion list for white allies—for sharing our thinking, our successes, our attempts, and even our mistakes. It also gives us a chance to ask each other questions and share resources that have expanded our understanding and given us accurate information.
This is an incredible time to be doing the work of eliminating white racism. We can use this list to inspire and challenge each other to increase and broaden our actions in the world.
The following are some reminders as we share on the list:
- Make room for folks who don’t always get their voices out—raised-poor and presently poor people, working-class people, young people, women, and so on. Be thoughtful.
- Think about the length of your writing (try to make it shorter rather than longer). Think about the language you use. There will be folks on the list whose first language is not English.
- Watch for the pull we white people sometimes have to criticize, reprimand, or act like we know better. Aim for a kind, caring, and supportive tone. Corrections may sometimes be needed, but take a breath and think about how best to make them (feel free to contact me for assistance).
- Use your sessions (not this list) to client about the work you are doing. Do tell us what you’ve found useful in discharging on white racism.
I welcome you to make full use of the list. This includes remembering the reality of our goodness, the significance of our connections with each other and with our fellow humans of the Global Majority, and our inherent confidence that we can do this. I look forward to hearing from you.
Seattle, Washington, USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for white allies ending racism
(Present Time 201, October 2020)