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thread 1/12
I have a theory about racism, which I developed after I read the truly outstanding book How To Be An AntiRacist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi.

In the book, Dr. Kendi explains how he learned he was racist. And classist. And colorist. And sexist. And genderist (if that is a word).
10:21 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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thread 2/12
This black man shared from his heart. I just knew I could do the work too. The work I thought I had already done to be antiracist.

So I started again. I said, out loud, to one of my black friends, "I am racist....
10:23 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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thread 3/12
"I am racist because I was born and raised in a culture of white supremacy. I am white and I have benefited from that culture. My job, for the rest of my life, is to figure out how I'm still racist. Or sexist. Or classist."
10:24 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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thread 4/12
Guess what? It's kind of freeing to take a word that people don't want to call themselves and claim it.

Kendi says "The only way to undo racism is to consistently identify and describe it--and then dismantle it".
10:26 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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thread 5/12
If you absolutely cannot identify it, because you are busy claiming you aren't racist, you absolutely can't identify it, describe it, and dismantle it.

It's ok to say your racist. Follow that with "And I'm going to figure out where it's hidden in my actions or thought processes or choices."
10:27 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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thread 6/12
When you find racist thoughts or actions, you can get rid of them.

Naming racism is powerful. You won't combust into flames if you name it.
10:29 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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thread 7/12
I took this theory to my book club. One mixed race women, the rest of us white. Some people were very uncomfortable sitting with the idea that you should claim to be racist. Others were more open to the idea. They agreed that you can't fix what you can't see.
10:30 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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thread 8/12
After the meeting, our mixed race member just looked at me and said, "thank you from the bottom of my heart". She said that it would mean a lot if we could circle back in a couple of months and touch base with everyone, to see how that idea was sitting with them.
10:31 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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thread 9/12
Most of the women in that book club are still with us. We've started to hear stories, before the 6 month touch base, like this one: I realized that when I moved my purse to the other side of my body that I was telling myself that I do it to keep it from bumping into other pedestrians. But I only
10:33 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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thread 10/12
ever moved my purse out of "consideration" when a black man or men were walking toward me. This made me wonder if I have bought into the "black men are scary and dangerous trope".

Isn't that spectacular? Would she have asked herself this if she didn't say, "I'm racist, now where am I so?"
10:35 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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thread 11/12
Fellow white people, instead of saying, typing, or thinking Not Me, why not think "yes, me". Maybe not the exact instance someone is describing. Maybe not all day every day.

But we are steeped in a culture of white supremacy and false ideas of superiority. We can't destroy what we refuse to see.
10:37 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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thread 12/12
Be bold, bloody, and resolute, as the child tells Macbeth. Go forth. You might make some mistakes; that's ok. Live and learn.

You've got this. Change and be changed.
#BeAnAntiRacist
10:39 PM - Aug 27, 2023
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Thank you for reading it.
In response to Rnsilverlake.
09:50 PM - Aug 29, 2023
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