I got something to say:

White folx: some of your colleagues & learners are walking around RIGHT NOW scared & unsure who among their team identifies w/the beliefs of those who attacked the Capitol. The color of your skin might insulate you from some of these fears.

/1

It’s such an enormous privilege to not feel the sting of others’ hate in your bones. To be able to watch the news and turn it off and get back to your day. Or maybe not even watch the news (as I know is the case with some) and remain unbothered.

/2

Marginalized folx, people of color and of certain faiths, watched with horror (and keep watching as images and video get released) as mass white rage and violence feverishly and viciously overwhelmed our Capitol, our TVs, and our hearts.

This was TRAUMA.

/3

Can you imagine what this must feel like?

Please, imagine what this feels like.

Imagine what it’s like to know not only that this DID happened, but that it COULD happen, that it was ALLOWED to happen, that it was INCITED, AIDED & ABETTED to happen, by certain law-makers...
/4

...members of law enforcement and our PRESIDENT.

If you’re white and don’t belong to a minority group, ask yourself if you are shook to your core, and if you’re not,
ask yourself why not?

And then imagine what it’s like to be shook to your core, and afraid of what is to come.

Ask yourself what it must be like to be Black and see a noose constructed in front of our Capitol.

Ask yourself what it must be like to be of the Jewish faith and see 6MWE on people’s shirts. Don’t know what this means? Here you go: https://www.distractify.com/p/6mwe-meaning 

Ask yourself what it must be like to be a parent who feels the need to tell their adult children “please don’t go out for the next several days because I’m worried you might get targeted”, as my dad just told me tonight (we live in a capital city).

I know that the anger, horror and fear isn’t limited to just people who belong to these groups, and I also know that these terrorists are targeting anyone who stands in the way of their agenda. But we need to make note of the added layer of tension and fear for so many people.

Everyone one of us should be mortified beyond belief because every one us was violated when our hallowed walls of Congress were breached. We must never, ever forget this day - the day democracy was deeply wounded.

If you’re a leader, please make some space for those in your charge to absorb, process and adjust. We are very much still in the middle of this nightmare and like I said before, we do not operate in emotional vacuums.

Also, start saying the words. Acknowledge what is happening: that *white supremacy domestic terrorists* are attacking our nation and this is indefensible.

Say. The. Words. Start the dialogue.

It’s the least we can do. We have a long road of healing ahead of us.

End.