Supporting the black community

pzl2lxie81mc

pzl2lxie81mc

Donor
MBTI
INFJ
I wanted to start a thread to discuss ways we can all support the black community during these troubled times. Float some ideas and maybe talk about what each of us has done.

For me, my support mostly has been to rally my (three) friends and family around the BLM movement and the protests. I’m keeping track of the votes and really calling out relatives that have voted for Trump in the past. I’m also educating myself on developments as each day goes by, working on my own emotions and really, think through the issue at hand.

I feel I’ve not actively participated as much as I had in the past because I’m immuno-compromised. That is usually the way I show my support is by going to protests (safely). The best I can do is drive by the local protest where I live and honk in support. It’s not a lot, but it’s what I can give where I am right now.

I feel I ought to make some kind of donation, but I just donated to two animal causes after the passing of my girl, and money is tight. So, I might consider it again next month.

What about you guys?
 
Last edited:
  • Engage in empathy not sympathy. Do not put yourself in others' shoes. Instead ask questions that allow others to share their experiences.
  • Have conversations with room for ambiguity that do not expect a concrete answer or solution. This allows for better understanding without the pressure of a definitive answer of which there is none.
  • Do not engage in solidarity. Do not look for "common ground" or ways our struggles are the same. Instead allow space for diversity and acknowledgement of the diversity. Our issues are not the same. We do not have to have things in common.
 
slant said:
  • Engage in empathy not sympathy. Do not put yourself in others' shoes. Instead ask questions that allow others to share their experiences.
  • Have conversations with room for ambiguity that do not expect a concrete answer or solution. This allows for better understanding without the pressure of a definitive answer of which there is none.
  • Do not engage in solidarity. Do not look for "common ground" or ways our struggles are the same. Instead allow space for diversity and acknowledgement of the diversity. Our issues are not the same. We do not have to have things in common.
Click to expand...

Right - we are past the point of intersectionality. Plus, I was taking to my cousin today, if you saw someone choke a polar bear to death on the street like that, you’d be outraged. And, it’s not like anyone needs to understand what it’s like to be a polar bear in order to understand how f*cked up some acts are.
 
Chickensoup said:
This is why I feel like it’s been so important to engage my relatives, especially the boomers. I’ve noticed a lot of Asian Americans do the same on social media and...I think we have the same struggle. It’s like, how do you argue against that one experience they had at some convenience store fifty years ago.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I follow what you're saying here
 
Chickensoup said:
So depressing, right? Scientists, at least the ones I follow, agree that while coronavirus is important, this is more important. I just hope they get that vaccine out soon and it’s not withheld from the disenfranchised.
Click to expand...

Personally, I value my own life above any sort of political infrastructure or other people's bullshit racism
 
Wyote said:
I'm not sure I follow what you're saying here
Click to expand...

Having conversations with my relatives brings the issue into my home, my sphere of influence. It is, as the article you posted says, addressing the issues of black racism in an arena they have no access to.

However, talking to older Asian relatives has its own set of challenges. One thing, it’s not the norm to confront older relatives and then they just expect you to accept that it’s ok they hold totally racist views on nothing more than an experience they had with a black person thirty years ago, or heard about from their friends.
 
It really is quite amazing to consider all the political slurs that have been invented recently to try to deligetimise the act of showing solidarity for demographics other than one's own.

'White guilt', 'virtue signalling', even 'cuck', &c.

Sincerity and unity must be really scary for the people promoting these labels.
 
Deleted member 16771 said:
It really is quite amazing to consider all the political slurs that have been invented recently to try to deligetimise the act of showing solidarity for demographics other than one's own.

'White guilt', 'virtue signalling', even 'cuck', &c.

Sincerity and unity must be really scary for the people promoting these labels.
Click to expand...
Virtue signaling is a real thing tied to social media algorithms and callout culture, where you can increase your social status based on how many people you "call out". Unfortunately there is no path of redemption for those called out, it is about destroying rather than educating, and it is a self cannibalizing culture where you will eventually say something that is considered a microagression and therefore you deserve to lose everything with no chance of redemption.

For example, I would be considered fat phobic and pro diet culture because I am trying to lose weight to become heathier. The health at every size movement in conjunction with the fat liberation movement believes I am toxic and a part of diet culture, as well as suppressing women so now i also have internalized misogyny. On top of that since women of color are most often size policed, I am also racist and actively repressing WOC, all because I am trying to lose weight to become healthy. I shit you not. I have had real people tell me all of these things, people I know who run in my social circle, usually safely behind a screen because they "don't feel safe" to discuss it in person or even over the phone.

Some of this culture is really extreme and fucked up yo
 
Chickensoup said:
Having conversations with my relatives brings the issue into my home, my sphere of influence. It is, as the article you posted says, addressing the issues of black racism in an arena they have no access to.

However, talking to older Asian relatives has its own set of challenges. One thing, it’s not the norm to confront older relatives and then they just expect you to accept that it’s ok they hold totally racist views on nothing more than an experience they had with a black person thirty years ago, or heard about from their friends.
Click to expand...

Ah, thanks for clarifying! I think it's tough when people are set in their ways. People don't really change their perspectives.
We have to build our infrastructure in a way that minimizes harm and supports/elevates minorities rather than being apathetic.

Chickensoup said:
That’s rational. Would you protest if not for the coronavirus?
Click to expand...

It's not really my fight, but I support the idea of change.
I am in two minds about protests because I don't like conflict and would prefer peaceful action.
But people have a right to be upset and initiate change in ways they feel are appropriate. I do think it's merited and long overdue.
I've been to protests before for various things. I am more of a supplier/supporter though.
I like fueling the fire, not being the fire. I'd probably get trampled out there.
I've been trampled a few times before.
 
This time will ring in our souls through places we did not know could sound.

My heart breaks from the weight of the chains that tether me to an ideology that is not of my own. It does no good for me to plead my own account, for I am guilty by the cloak my soul was born into.

The Mask is a garb we wear when the weight becomes to heavy for care. </3
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top