(not the Netflix show)

Dear white people,

I am white too. And from shared experience, I know we don’t talk about whiteness or how we as white people are all responsible for white supremacy. Anywhere. Ever. And that’s a problem.

If you have been paying attention to the news at all lately, you know that Black men and women have been killed and terribly harmed physically and emotionally due to police brutality. We remember Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade, Oluwatoyin Salau, and countless others who have died at the hands of police while peacefully protesting for their basic human rights or merely going about their days.

Some more reminders:

Black Americans are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for drug possession than white Americans despite roughly equal usage trends. (source: ACLU)

“Minorities are arrested at higher rates and receive sentences for crimes that are on average 20% longer than sentences for white people who commit the same crimes.” (source: ACLU)

“Black women in the U.S. are 243% more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth related causes.” (source: NPR)

“As of 2012, the ACLU’s research shows that 65.4% of prisoners serving life sentences without the possibility of parole for nonviolent offenses are Black.” (source: ACLU)

Black mothers die at 3-4 times the rate of white mothers. (source: CDC Pregnancy-Related Deaths)

Black mothers die at 12 times the rate of white mothers in the state of New York during pregnancy or childbirth. (source: NPR)

“African-Americans are incarcerated at more than 5 times the rate of white people.” (source: NAACP)

“If African-Americans and Hispanics were incarcerated at the same rates as whites, prison and jail populations would decline by almost 40%.” (source: NAACP)

“African Americans represent 12.5% of illicit drug users, but 29% of those arrested for drug offenses and 33% of those incarcerated in state facilities for drug offenses.” (source: NAACP)

“It is estimated that trans women are 4.3 times more likely to become homicide victims than all women, and a vast majority of the victims are Black.” (source: Human Rights Campaign)

The treatment and safety of Black folks in the US is a systemic problem, one that cannot be fixed by a few police reforms or updated company policies. This problem is rooted in the origins of policing for slavery, which defines America’s entire policing history from the Jim Crow Era to the War on Drugs to present mass incarceration.

So, let’s talk about recognizing our role in white supremacy, but let’s make one thing clear. This is not about white people. This article is white-centric in many ways because I am a white writer targeting a primarily white audience because WHITE SUPREMACY IS A WHITE ISSUE THAT WE AS WHITE PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOLVING. Last month wasn’t a Black Lives Matter spirit month – we need to keep the momentum going. And most importantly, a “white issue” does not mean this is about white feelings, passions, or desires. It is quite the opposite. It means we need to listen to Black voices, use our privilege to redistribute power, work towards reparations, and do the work that is our responsibility and long, long overdue.

Here are some simple steps that have helped me over the past few years in my efforts to educate myself on race and actively promote anti-racism:

1. Recognize your discomfort and welcome it. It’s easy to shy away from discussions that make you uncomfortable. For most white people (myself included), race is a big one. Facing discomfort takes conscious effort. Instead of ignoring the issue of race (a common product of white privilege), view it as an opportunity to learn and improve. Cultivate some acceptance around the discomfort and overtime it will fade. The discomfort you feel reminds you that there’s a deeper issue at hand. There are things you don’t know and don’t understand and that’s okay. But if you are not actively attempting to educate yourself and be part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

2. Pause before getting defensive. Ask yourself why you feel these initial emotions. Be reflective. If you or someone you know feels the need to say, “all lives matter” or claim that “this is reverse racism” or play “devil’s advocate,” ask yourself, why? What does that accomplish? Perhaps you are missing the point? Of course, all lives matter, that’s implicit. “Black Lives Matter” does not mean only Black lives matter, but rather, Black lives matter as well as all other lives. The Black community is still fighting for socio-political equality. You as a white person are not. Fighting for the Black community does not mean fighting against yourself.

3. Listen before speaking. You will never know what it’s like to be a person of color because you are not a person of color. Your struggles are not racial struggles. You may have financial struggles or gender-based struggles, but regardless, your whiteness is a privilege. You benefit from it. This fact does not discount the obstacles you’ve faced. You, like all other humans, have probably faced many. But this movement is not about you. It is about Black folks and the struggles Black folks face because of the color of their skin. Count your blessings, shut up for a moment, and use your privilege to listen and fight for others.

4. Understand that “privilege” is not a bad word. You can call the police without thinking twice about putting your life in danger. You can go for a jog and feel at peace. You experience social comfort and mobility and that’s a privilege – a gift. You are not a bad person for having it, you just do. So, accept it. People use “privilege” negatively because privilege can blind people to the realities of others. Many don’t use their privilege for good. But, you can.

5. Acknowledge that you are white. If you are reading this and you are white, well, you are white. It’s that simple. Don’t overcomplicate it. It’s not a slur, it’s a fact. That said, white people have a terrible colonial track record (to put it mildly) throughout history and its effects are still felt today. This is an indisputable fact, not a political statement which one can choose to disagree with. Even though you are not one of those white people from history, you are still connected to that history. Acknowledge that. That’s the hardest and the most important part. It doesn’t make you a bad person. You didn’t choose your whiteness. But you do get to choose how to use it now. Recognizing this is the key.

6. Know that you are going to make mistakes. Accept the fact that you won’t always be right. At some point, you will probably say or do the wrong thing. People are going to call you out. But, again, don’t get defensive. Don’t make it about you. It is uncomfortable. But that means it’s important. Own up to your mistakes. Learn from it. No one is perfect. And most importantly, keep trying.

For your convenience, I have designed a website guide called “Dismantling White Supremacy: A Guide for Those Who Are Responsible and Complicit.” It has a plethora of resources geared primarily towards actively dismantling white supremacy, how to be a white ally without engaging in anti-racism as a means of performative social or financial capital, and what it means to do the work and hold oneself accountable as a white person.

To some, this advice may be new. To others, it may seem obvious. But wherever you stand on the spectrum, all of this takes time, reflection, and consistent, active engagement. You won’t wake up one day and feel enlightened. At least, I haven’t. It’s a process. Push yourself…every single day. Passivity is unacceptable. The world has the potential to be a better place and each of us has a role to play.

Sincerely,

Hannah Kaplon

Duke student, dog lover, nap enthusiast, aspiring peacemaker, future world traveler.

Photography & Design by Kyala Irons

Dear White People

(not the Netflix show)