If you are a well-meaning white liberal, you understand that the most vile ailment currently afflicting society is the scourge of anti-Black racism that is foundational to the history of America. As this racism is perpetuated through institutional and systemic structures, you know that it is your responsibility to wield your privilege to help cure our nation of this disease (because, ultimately, it’s all about you).
Shop exclusively at Black-owned businesses.
Sure, as part of your anti-racism work, you’ve made a concerted effort to support more Black-owned businesses, but to what end? Black people in this country are still facing dramatic inequality, so it’s time to kick it up a notch. From now on, every dollar you spend will be dedicated to making America a more just nation. If you’re unable to find a Black-owned business to provide you with the goods or services you need, you’ll just have to make sacrifices, as so many have before you in support of Black liberation. Can’t find a Black jeweller? Guess you’re not getting engaged. Can’t find a Black exterminator? Guess those rats are your roommates now. Can’t find a Black toothpaste manufacturer? Guess your breath is going to stink. But, when you’re unwed and foul-breathed in your rat-infested home, you’ll know that you did it all for justice.
Figure out how to stop subconsciously feeling safer when the police are around.
Of course you believe in defunding and maybe even abolishing the police. If you didn’t, why would you have attended two B.L.M. protests? Even so, for some reason, seeing a police car roll through your neighborhood puts you at ease, makes you feel safe in the knowledge that, ultimately, you are protected. In these moments, remind yourself that not everyone feels this way by smacking your head and saying, “No! Bad white privilege! Bad!”
Forget that the N-word even exists.
You are aware that this word has been used as a harmful racial slur by those aiming to violently oppress African Americans, but has also been culturally reclaimed by Black people. Now that it is their word, as an active anti-racist, you know that you shouldn’t say it, think it, or even know it. Find a way to wipe this word from your memory.
Make an actual Black friend in real life.
This is the year that you finally remedy your greatest shame as a well-intentioned, anti-racist white liberal. It isn’t your fault that there aren’t any Black people in your office, your neighborhood, or at your rock-climbing gym; it’s just the world you’ve circumstantially inherited. Nevertheless, this is unacceptable. How can you be someone who supports national diversity and inclusion when you don’t even have it in your personal life? Fix this immediately.
Make sure that the reason you have a Black friend isn’t just to say that you have a Black friend.
Whoa, slow down there, buddy! Before you jump into finding a Black friend, you need to make sure that you’re not just forging a relationship based on tokenism and making yourself feel validated, as that would just be another way in which you’re centering yourself within the narrative and attempting to use a Black person as a projection of your own self-fulfillment. So, you should make Black friends, but they should be real friends, but they should be Black, but they shouldn’t be your friends just because they’re Black. Basically, you should make friends with them and not even see their color. But you do. But you don’t. Get it?
Find out who Cedric the Entertainer is.
Your lack of familiarity with this cultural icon is a huge blind spot.
Thank Black creators and artists for “sharing their truth.”
If you see a Black artist—or engage in any way with Black art or content—make sure to take a moment to thank said artist for sharing his or her truth. It doesn’t matter what they’ve created—music, poetry, dance, a painting, a standup comedy act, a TikTok. Take a moment, either in person or via social media, to say something to the effect of “Thank you so much for sharing your truth; your art is a beautiful jewel that enlightens us all.” This is always helpful and never annoying.
Stop misusing A.A.V.E.
You may think that you’re relating to today’s youth, but you are well aware that you didn’t grow up saying “and that’s on period!” As cultures become more enmeshed, there is a certain amount of linguistic diffusion that occurs over time, but understand that you’re doing more harm than good with your ironic “yas queen”s and “it’s giving”s. Hearing you speak in a way that subtly mocks a race’s vernacular is indeed not “fleek.” While you’re at it, you should probably go ahead and look up the etymology of every common phrase you use.
Donate to a mutual-aid fund.
Mutual-aid funds are one of the most direct ways to help those who are struggling within this white-supremacist, patriarchal, transphobic, ableist society. So make sure that you donate to some of them from time to time. You know, if you remember. No biggie!
