I’ve been thinking nonstop about what I can personally do in response to George Floyd’s murder. Earlier in the week I struggled with the grief, which felt necessary to me, but also prompted guilt over my own privilege, because I had time and space to grieve when so many do not. I feel ashamed that I couldn’t find the words sooner– so much shame that I almost didn’t write this post. But that would have caused me even more shame.

Some of you may not know that I’ve been studying and working in the social justice space for years. Most notably, for the past two years I’ve served as an Equity leader in my school district, working on building-level and district-level programs to improve the educational experiences of children of color and other marginalized groups. A leadership position in any other area might give the person a platform and an air of assurance. But in Equity, we are always learners. We who are not people of color must stay humble and listen, even if we are also leaders in the movement.

As a result, I feel no more equipped than the average person to find my response to George Floyd’s murder. But I’m trying to push past that feeling, because intellectually at least, I know that I have resources. And so I’ve created an action plan that pushes me a bit further than the work I’ve already been doing.

(It shouldn’t take a high-profile murder to prompt an action plan. The murder and resulting protests are only a public revelation of a systemic problem that’s been going on since 1619. But action is more impactful when people are paying attention, and they certainly are doing so now.)

Please know that while these are the actions I consider important, they do not come from any place of authority. Take this post as a guide if you will, but if you are white as I am, you ultimately must listen to the Black community to learn what is needed.

Social Justice Action Plan

• Self-Education. I will be reading Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. I will also be listening to the Good Ancestor podcast, which was recommended by our NYU equity team liaison. I will continue to read the New York Times’ Race/Related newsletter every week. For my white readers who are just starting their social justice reading, I highly recommend White Fragility: Why it’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo. Be prepared to face uncomfortable but necessary truths.
• Education of Others. Our deputy superintendent encouraged us to meet with our building teams this week to discuss recent events and necessary interventions for our building. My co-leaders and I quickly scheduled a meeting, invited our team, and extended the invitation to any other staff member who wishes to attend. I am also in the planning stages of starting a social justice book club. Stay tuned on Facebook for that announcement, which will be posted on both my personal page and the Words From the Sowul page.
• Education of Children. My son and I began having conversations about race when he was about four years old. That conversation continues, primarily through reading (I like this book list), but occasionally through talking about world events. I educate my daughter through absorption, as is appropriate for her young age, by reading books with characters of color and making sure that she owns and plays with dolls of color. (This has been proven to be a significant factor in a child’s beliefs about race.)
• Donation. I have not yet decided which cause to donate to, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know in the comments. I’m leaning toward a legal defense fund like one sponsored by the NAACP, coupled with an organization that works to get people of color elected to higher office.
• Difficult Conversations. I do not love engaging on social media, but I have taken a few steps to (kindly, firmly) point out inconsistencies and terminology misunderstandings. I also joined a local Anti-Racist Moms Facebook group (the fact that this was created, and not by me, makes me very hopeful).

All white people must reckon with racism, both internally and within society. All white people must take action to disrupt and dismantle the systems of racism. Push past the shame, guilt, discomfort, fear– whatever is holding you back. The stakes are too high. Do your part. Do it now.