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#WednesdayWisdom
"You are giving birth to yourself. Keep breathing through the labor pains. Love yourself through the process." —Lalah Delia
Morning Musings
If there's one thing the pandemic has done, it's worn down my patience and my filter, which is how I found myself rage-tweeting last Wednesday morning after learning about the hate crime against the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) community in Atlanta Tuesday night.
Suddenly I was having flashbacks to the well-meaning white people who'd reached out to me last summer in the wake of the #BlackLivesMatter movement to basically let me know they were one of the "good ones" and how they were "so sorry" for what happened.
Um, okay, I guess. Except I haven't talked to you since college graduation and now you're in my LinkedIn and Facebook DMs (further proving my point that we're not *actual* friends). I foresaw my AAPI friends experiencing the same fate and thought maybe, just maybe there was a way to circumvent the disingenuous check-ins. So I tweeted...
Dear Well-Meaning White People,
When members of the Asian community say to check on your Asian friends, that doesn't mean text/DM/email your classmate/colleague from years ago. In my experience from last summer, this can do more harm than good.
Essentially you're looking to us [insert marginalized person here] to help assuage your white guilt. Which actually creates emotional labor on behalf of the marginalized person. So, don't do it.
If you're not on actual regular speaking terms with said person, perhaps skip the unsolicited DM and head straight to doing the work. Hold your fellow white people accountable. And please, do your own research here. We [minorities] are NOT your saviors.
Signed,
Tired Black Girl
And apparently it resonated with people, roughly 55,600, to be exact. People are fed up and we don't have time for the b.s., at least I know I am.
If you're still looking for some ways to show your support and solidarity, please consider donating to the AAPI Journalists Therapy Relief Fund. And you can sign up for free bystander intervention training here.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
Love,
L'Oreal
ICYMI
Remember that story about the future of democracy I wrote for Teach for America earlier this year? Well, my editor asked me if I'd be interested in recording the audio version and I couldn't say no. Check out my voiceover debut here.
Upcoming Events
March 24 (TONIGHT): Pinot x Poetry. My girl @UnapologeticallyPam is back with her signature IG Live series at 6 pm CT. I'll be tuning in, will you?
March 31 (POSTPONED): Yes, I know I teased a virtual community yoga class last week, but the truth is ya girl is TIRED and given the events of the past two weeks, I feel like we could all use a break. So stay tuned, I promise you this will happen SOON!
April 13: Ghosts in a Black Girl's Throat. My Twitter friend Khalisa Rae is launching her debut poetry collection. The evening features "readings about ghosts that awaken BIPOC women each day and the haunting feeling of sexism, racism and bigotry."
April 14: Secure the Bag: Salary Negotiation 101. I'm excited to partner with YWCA Evanston/North Shore for this FREE webinar in honor of Financial Literacy and Black Women's History Month.
Links I Love
1. For An Asian American Woman, the Spa Shootings Reignited the Trauma of Everyday Racism and Misogyny (The Lily)
2. They'll Call It Anything But Racism (The Cut)
3. A White Man's Bad Day (The Audacity)
My Latest Obsession
Matching sweatsuits have become my whole WFH vibe as of late, especially this peach set from Target. Comfy cozy chic FTW.
Now Hiring
Email Manager for Sunrise Movement
Staff Writer for Filter
Communications Manager for Community Catalyst
Political Communications Manager for Color of Change
Senior Writer for Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Manager of Community Engagement for the Chicago Architecture Center
Communications Manager for Change Consulting
Managing Director for Chicago United for Equity
Thank You!
Much love and many thanks to Rachel, Caitlin and Sara for supporting my caffeine habit (especially in light of the recent closure of my favorite coffee shop)!
Don't forget to check out the new bonus items, including webinars on freelance writing and salary negotiation. Want to help fuel this newsletter and support my work? Click the button below!
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