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The Black Lives Matter protests have resulted in meaningful conversations about power, privilege and position in America — conversations that some say are long overdue.
“The United States is supposed to be where you can think, feel, or say anything that you want without being scared because we are free and we are brave, but that’s not the reality,” said D.C. native Loren Moor, mother of three mixed-race children. “We need to have these uncomfortable conversations. Now is the time.”
Two of Moor’s children are African American and the youngest is Chinese mixed with her Jewish white heritage.
“I didn’t want my son to outside once the current administration started calling COVID-19 the ‘China virus,’” she said. “Being Asian or Black in America is unsafe and I wanted them to be protected.”
In 2018, America consisted of approximately 200 million white people, 60 million Hispanic people, 40 million Black people, 20 million Asian people, and 7 million mixed-race individuals, according to the Census Bureau.
In 2016 it was predicted that in 2044 the United States will become a majority-minority.
“[T]he focus on 2044 overlooks the equation that’s been hiding in plain sight, one that shows what happens when you add together the number of today’s people of color ( the vast majority of whom are progressive) and progressive Whites,” writes author Steve Phillips in his book “Brown is the New White.” “Americans have a progressive, multicultural majority right now that has the power to elect presidents and reshape American politics, policies, and priorities for decades to come.”
Without the help of allies and accomplices, Black people would need a David, a stone and a slingshot.
“The difference between an ally and an accomplice is that you are learning in ‘allyship,’ how to advocate for the least represented,” said Dr. Akilah Cadet. ” When you’re an accomplice, you are ready to make sacrifices with friends, families and social circles. You are firm in the values of not benefiting from white supremacy.”
Cadet, who is Black, runs virtual workshops for non-Black women and Black women to give them interaction tools. One workshop that has gotten the most buzz is “Power and Privilege,” which is on her website changecadet.com. The workshops are hosted on Zoom and the next workshop is on July 14 from 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. PST.
“I do it with humor and keep it light and affordable, ” Cadet joked. “The workshops are well-received and extremely helpful in a time like this.”
Moor expressed her inner conflicts with identifying as white in America, particularly as hate is being directed at all of her children for different reasons during the evolution and revolution.
“To get equality, we have to understand each other. We have to ask questions and answer them,” she said. “We have to let go of the microaggression, anger and defensiveness. That’s how we are going to affect change. We need to embrace our differences and not only educate ourselves, but to educate our kids, and educate each other.”
Dr. Christina Coleman, a therapist, applied the Kübler-Ross model of the five stages of grief to people’s reaction to racism, starting with the denial of white supremacy with statements such as “All lives matter.” Anger for various reasons comes next, followed by bargaining within due to fear of misspeaking so you choose to say nothing at all.
A person may experience depression with feelings of helplessness and fear in an invisible war that seems futile to fight. Some will come to an acceptance phase, where one realizes that white privilege does exist and starts seeking education, accountability and support. One might still feel angry, guilty, shameful or confused, but understands that the revolution is bigger than individual feelings.
“Going through those emotions is not a linear thing,” Coleman said. “I noticed people’s reactions to racism were very similar to any major loss. I realized that everyone is in a different phase and needs to get the help necessary to process those emotions.”
The key is to keep an open mind and heart while focusing on compassion and understanding. Recognizing where you can make small improvements daily and continue to move towards positive change for all.
“It’s about looking inward and becoming more self-aware,” Cadet said. ” If you minimize stereotypes and go from unconscious bias to consciously unbiased, some really wonderful things can happen.”