I grew up the epitome of assimilation into this settler-colonial culture. I didn't know that I wasn't "white" until my first grade teacher told me. I had no connection to my Diné, Pima, Apache, Spanish, and Italian roots. I grew up learning that Martin Luther King Jr. and the SCLC were the good ones, that Malcolm X and the Black Panthers were bad. I learned that from his-story, the story written, and re-written by straight, white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant men. I subconsciously learned that the Civil Rights Movement was allowable, because it sought equality with, not liberation from, the dominant culture. Attempts at liberation were, and still are demonized, seen as extremist, militant, violent, and terroristic. Honestly, I grew up scared of black people, not knowing that our ancestor's plight was intricately wove together by a common oppressor. I grew up scared of non-white people, because my ancestral, land-based wisdom was so battered by generations of assimilation. I share this even though it is embarrassing. I share this so people can listen. I share this as my truth. This is a message to all of my white friends, homies, pals, sisters, and brothers in this important time when much racism-institutional, systemic as well as individual-is being expressed: Despite what your mind might be telling you, it is now time to step back and listen. Listen to those who need to be heard*. Listen. Listen without judgement. Listen like your life depends on it. Because it does. *Never expect a victim of oppression and suffering to explain or validate their experience to you. That is not their job. It is your job to learn. It is your job to support this struggle. Do not try to share this pain, because you do not know it. Just step back, and listen. That being said, I am a person that is willing to have these conversations. If you would like to engage in such discussions regarding race please let me know. | #MalcolmX #AlexHaley #MLK #Race #Racism #Oppression #Decolonize #RespectExistenceOrExpectResistence #BlackLivesMatter #Resistance #Sovereignty #HonorTheTreaties
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