Read on Twitter
An equity tourist is someone who weaponizes equity issues for their own agenda but has a track record of creating inequity or not caring unless it benefits them or to exercise fragility for self or someone else
The next tweet has a @iJesseWilliams quote that is relevant https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1304734277695926272
The next tweet has a @iJesseWilliams quote that is relevant https://twitter.com/karenvaites/status/1304734277695926272
“If you have a critique for the resistance, for our resistance, then you better have an established record of critique of our oppression. If you have no interest, if you have no interest in equal rights for black people then do not make suggestions to those who do. Sit down.”
Far too often we get caught up responding to the literal Karen’s of the world who defend women like Gunlock who say things like this... this is who we always see Karen put the cape on for
But these literal and figurative Karens know standing up for a controversial figure is not appropriate and they want attack equity advocates without looking bad. So they take our children and the issues we fight for day to day and wrap it around their argument
They take issues like literacy because they know no one can truly fight with them about that... “how can you be against literacy?” It’s a method to move the ground
Now we can’t talk about literacy without looking like we don’t care about literacy
Now we can’t talk about literacy without looking like we don’t care about literacy
It’s manipulation. Karen doesn’t care about literacy. If you examine the tweet what concrete action steps did she outline... none... it’s an “equity ammrite” argument we see white educators routine make
Had Karen ever truly fought for literacy she would know creating an environment where Black educators are shamed for expression is oppressive and that oppressive environment impacts the kids disproportionately impacted by literacy issues
But that isn’t Karen’s true intention here. She isn’t that invested in the literacy. She’s only focused on shutting us up and she took a tourist trip to equity, put some braids in her hair, and returned with one issue, “literacy!”
It’s isn’t a mistake or an accident that every issue on the list behind this Black educator has some impact on literacy. No mistake, no accident. By combating these issues and making a clear stand this educator is saying you are welcomed and not othered here
If Karen doesn’t see that it’s because she never saw it on her equity tourist trip... equity locals see these issues. Equity locals reside and inhabit the area, we know the interconnectedness (I’m gonna have to write about this more)
But tourist come and disrupt the habitat and demand to be catered too...
I’ll end this with Karen doesn’t matter because Karen doesn’t have the established track record to lob a critique. I won’t let her weaponize this issue to move the playing field and preserve fragility.
Karen can think what she wants and say whatever, she’s been muted in the past because she’s problematic and I saw that before... I’m sure I have receipt but Karen isn’t worth taking the time to get it
Karen wants us to fight with her and discuss literacy, an issue she clearly knows nothing about because you cannot address lack of literacy patterns WITHOUT ADDRESSING EVERYTHING IN THIS SLIDE
So let Karen travel through this land of equity, let her do all the exploitative things all tourist who have no regard for the land we love do, and send her on her way. Maybe give her a ticket to the next fyre festival... she seems like she would be at home there
But remember Karen is merely an equity tourist. We don’t care about tourist, we need to protect the land from them and get them out before they cause any damage. Limit the spaces she’s permitted to inhabit- tourist should not be allowed to go everywhere or have any authority
In short, I don’t care about Karen because she has no authority, no track record, no real commitments but the ones she makes to other white women in an attempt to preserve her own victim hood
Our kids and issues aren’t her props to weaponize- she doesn’t deserve the time
Our kids and issues aren’t her props to weaponize- she doesn’t deserve the time
Get her on the next flight home. Your equity tourist trip is over and your visa has expired. Let the locals handle the issues
Oh and I don’t care if our equity tourist has one or two articles she’s published on the issue of equity and literacy. Equity tourist always have snapshots from their trips... when you have a body of work then let’s see... roll up when you’re at Jane Fonda’s level
I want to see a lifetime of commitment from most white educators and photos that age. I also want to see it from educators of colors but I recognize we have to deal with internalized racism and may come to the movement a little later
I mean I came on twitter believing the SAT benefits some limited group of students... I was only 2 articles away from getting that internalized racism out of my system
