If the shoes fit, walk a mile in them.
When you belong to a marginalised group, it becomes difficult to individualise. You are both inadvertently and systemically lumped in with a whole group, making it difficult to transmute your pain, or share your experiences in the way that is best for you as an individual.
Why? I believe it is because the default culture doesn't care to learn the complexities of the marginalised, and immediately seeks to slap a stereotype on the entire group so it doesn't have to take any responsibility. That's why stereotypes hurt marginalised groups more than the non marginalised; it is not only difficult to explain who the fuck you are when no one is ever asking you, but to top it off, adding insult to injury by telling YOU who YOU are. An important part of what is happening now is that the way black people are choosing to express their hurt, their anger, and their experience is an important part of their individual healing process. this HAS to be done to assist in collective healing. It is not your place to say HOW it must be done. These are not your experiences, or your pain. Doing so only serves to show you still do not trust that black people simply are demanding that they are seen, heard and treated with the same respect afforded to you. That their history and culture is acknowledged, not as an artifact, no! As a presence that fucking belongs here! if it makes you uncomfortable perhaps you should ask yourself why that is? And be honest in your response. There are many ways expression and healing are taking place right now, not just the one pigeonholed view you see on the news with a narrative designed to divide and conquer further. Most importantly however, the way black people are expressing themselves should not be policed. Growth is not comfortable, but it is necessary for real change, and it starts by acknowledging what is.
Why? I believe it is because the default culture doesn't care to learn the complexities of the marginalised, and immediately seeks to slap a stereotype on the entire group so it doesn't have to take any responsibility. That's why stereotypes hurt marginalised groups more than the non marginalised; it is not only difficult to explain who the fuck you are when no one is ever asking you, but to top it off, adding insult to injury by telling YOU who YOU are. An important part of what is happening now is that the way black people are choosing to express their hurt, their anger, and their experience is an important part of their individual healing process. this HAS to be done to assist in collective healing. It is not your place to say HOW it must be done. These are not your experiences, or your pain. Doing so only serves to show you still do not trust that black people simply are demanding that they are seen, heard and treated with the same respect afforded to you. That their history and culture is acknowledged, not as an artifact, no! As a presence that fucking belongs here! if it makes you uncomfortable perhaps you should ask yourself why that is? And be honest in your response. There are many ways expression and healing are taking place right now, not just the one pigeonholed view you see on the news with a narrative designed to divide and conquer further. Most importantly however, the way black people are expressing themselves should not be policed. Growth is not comfortable, but it is necessary for real change, and it starts by acknowledging what is.