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Today is Juneteenth, an annual holiday observing the end of slavery in the U.S. It's recognized by 47 states +D.C. as well as many cities and companies. It's celebrated as a liberation for the black community, and as recent events highlight, it's an effort that continues today...
It’s difficult for many white people to understand that racism still exists, & that being black in our society poses challenges that we might not recognize. Know that racism is NOT just the intentional actions by individuals; it is a complex structure of interconnected systems...
To many, it’s a struggle to be poor, a woman, LGBTQ+, etc. It’s hard to succeed regardless of your skin color. That is valid. But we must also recognize that being white is not part of that struggle, & white people do benefit from privileges within a complex societal structure...
The fight for equality is ongoing, and recognizing Black Lives Matter does not mean that all lives don’t or that all cops are bad. It does not mean that life is easy just because you are white. Supporting people of color does not negate your rights, difficulties, nor successes...
If you find yourself becoming defensive at the concept of white privilege, please stop and consider why. *And listen.* Your viewpoint is not the only one. Let’s all take a moment to reflect on Juneteenth, and put in the work to keep moving forward with structural change.
