Tone policing (TP) & Black voices: a

IMO, DEI is ineffective, useless & harmful if, in order to share our perspectives & truths, we have to moderate our tone/ message so that it doesn't hurt the feelings of non-Black ppl.

Let's start with a working definition of TP. 1/n

Tone policing is a phenomenon in which non-Black people will deem any message they find unpalatable or emotional as unproductive & will promptly dismiss it.

It is a conscious or subconscious tactic that prioritizes white and non-Black comfort over Black truths or messages. 2/n

Black and Indigenous people (& their intersecting identities) who have been enslaved, brutalized & subjected to institutionalized racism for centuries & are rightfully angry will be told to talk about their experiences with racism or oppression in a nicer way. 3/n

Black people, especially Black women seen as the "Angry Black Woman" stereotype, will often be seen as angry outliers & ignored even though we often share the thoughts, words & feelings of so many people who choose not to be outspoken for a myriad of reasons: safety, etc. 4/n

So few Black people are able to honestly and authentically share how they feel in predominantly white spaces bc we know white and non-Black people will vilify us & dismiss our words. It can be dangerous to disturb white and white passing comfort. 5/n

As someone who grew up in the south, I've often had a harder time dealing with liberal non-Black people than the outwardly ignorant. Liberal non-Black people are so stubbornly committed to their self image of being "not racist" or a good person that any perspective which....6/n

....challenges their views, self image or perspective is seen as an immediate threat and met with fragility, retaliation and anger. You will suddenly become demonized even though 1) you still tried to offer truths in a palatable way and 2) many Black ppl resonate in silence. 7/n

Many DEI spaces aren't ready for Black people to show up authentically. DEI isn't truly possible in any space when you haven't built rapport w/ us to earn our trust and Black ppl can't even speak without having to prioritize whiteness/white and white passing fragility. (8/8)

I will add that many of us have learned to "code switch" from a young age in predominantly non-Black spaces for our safety. Even if we convey a message completely emotionless, if the subject matter challenges yt/yt passing comfort it can still be dangerous & met with retaliation.