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This is a thread about racism, with a twist!
We're going to talk about the really well-intentioned but harmful things people say to me when they are trying to help.
It's an opportunity to learn, if you're open to learning.
We're going to talk about the really well-intentioned but harmful things people say to me when they are trying to help.
It's an opportunity to learn, if you're open to learning.
"You are so nice and don't deserve this".
Even an arsehole doesn't deserve to be subjected to racism.
A person doesn't need to earn some kind of social currency in order to not "deserve" poor treatment.
Even an arsehole doesn't deserve to be subjected to racism.
A person doesn't need to earn some kind of social currency in order to not "deserve" poor treatment.
"Just ignore them!"
I don't live in a world where I can just ignore racism. For any racialized person, it is ever-present and something we're always conscious of.
Telling me how to feel or act is very frustrating. Don't do this, please.
I don't live in a world where I can just ignore racism. For any racialized person, it is ever-present and something we're always conscious of.
Telling me how to feel or act is very frustrating. Don't do this, please.
"Their racist views don't represent US!"
Racist people don't exist in some phantom dimensions; they live all amongst us. They, and their views, are part of our communities.
Accept this, and then help fight it!
Racist people don't exist in some phantom dimensions; they live all amongst us. They, and their views, are part of our communities.
Accept this, and then help fight it!
"I don't know how you keep being so positive!"
I'm not, though. Some days I'll yell and scream until I lose my voice, other days I'll make jokes or "Troll the trolls", but it doesn't change. It's exhausting.
We don't need cheerleaders; we need allies.
I'm not, though. Some days I'll yell and scream until I lose my voice, other days I'll make jokes or "Troll the trolls", but it doesn't change. It's exhausting.
We don't need cheerleaders; we need allies.
"Please tell me what I can do to help!"
There is an abundance of information available in books and articles and all over social media, on how to be an ally.
Please do some of the hard work yourself, because it's exhausting for us to keep explaining.
There is an abundance of information available in books and articles and all over social media, on how to be an ally.
Please do some of the hard work yourself, because it's exhausting for us to keep explaining.
"I know how you feel because that's how townies treat baymen"
I never know whether to laugh or cry when I hear this. This is incredibly insulting and exhausting for anyone who faces racism.
Please don't do this.
I never know whether to laugh or cry when I hear this. This is incredibly insulting and exhausting for anyone who faces racism.
Please don't do this.
I'm just one guy, with my own unique set of lived experiences. There are SO MANY voices of BIPOC people all around us.
Helping starts with paying attention and listening to them.
Helping starts with paying attention and listening to them.
