it’s hard
It’s hard to find the right words as a white woman right now. For me, reading this helped:
“If you are not Black, please remember your voice is needed right now — being anti-racist means speaking up, being an ally and challenging the injustices that may not directly affect you. Stand up, make noise about the events happening right now, educate family and friends and continue to push for change.” — Sheree Atcheson, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Monzo
Here is what is NOT HARD if you are white and trying to be an ally:
- Express solidarity with Black Lives Matter on social media and in your company communications.
- Make sure (as a white person) to not take up too much space in meetings at a time when it’s about listening to and making space for the people of color in your community.
- Do research, protest, vote and donate to causes aligned with the movement.
- Buy from black-owned businesses.
What IS hard is that we are already so tired from all the losses and massive changes to our lives and businesses due to COVID-19. If you are black or brown you might be thinking “let me get out my tiny violin for you.” And you are right. If you are white and you are tired, just think how tired your black and brown sisters are from centuries of dealing with discrimination as a woman and a person of color.
I am tired too, but this is not a time for tired. I plan to caffeinate more, dig deep into my pockets to donate, have the hard conversations, get used to being uncomfortable and just STEP UP.
Last Friday we held an open meeting of the MDW community co-hosted by Jessica Robinson (@jessrobin96, @pureintl), CEO of PurePoint International to talk about the current state of the world. It was a safe (and private, i.e. not recorded) space for everyone to process their feelings. Some reflected on the protests, others their privilege, and others on the fear they can’t help but feel every time their black children walk out into the world.
If you would like to take part in our next discussion, please join us on Friday June 12th, 12–1pm EST via Zoom** for an open meeting about our MDW Fund which, to date, has provided scholarships for WOC entrepreneurs. We believe that we must, at this time, STEP UP and “scale up” our own efforts. The meeting will be co-hosted by Jessica Robinson and we will be joined by a few members of our board.
** email maddy@juliapim.com for an invitation
Check out our Resources for Justice from last Friday’s discussion. It will continue to grow.
