Dear Allies: Joining the Conversation Support Racial + Social Justice in a Real Way

In July, I had the honor of not only being on the cover of District Fray Magazine’s Culture of Style issue, but I was able to write an op-ed about racial and social justice. Check out the full issue here.

I am Black woman who was born and raised in Washington, D.C. I attended some of the best D.C. public schools and had many opportunities other Black people in our city and across the country will never have. But when I walk into any room, I am Black first. And because I am Black, my personal experiences – more often than not – do not matter. 

In public spaces and corporate workplaces, I know that the stereotypes associated with Black people and women who look like me will supersede the accolades I am so proud of. I have always felt welcomed and included by the District Fray editorial team, which is why I trust them to offer me space as a Black woman genuinely and authentically in their publication.

It took me a while to begin writing this piece. Initially, I wanted to talk all about my new media site, www.blackexchange.co, and how it will be a resource hub for moving actions, organizations and Black businesses forward. But I believe every opportunity presented for someone like me to share on a platform with a different audience should be much more impactful.

Right now, many of us are navigating having very real and oftentimes traumatic conversations about race and social injustice. We are trying to figure out how to join these conversations in a substantive way, and how we can share our personal stories in hopes of changing toxic aspects of our culture. For many of you, you may be trying to figure out how you can be a true ally, because despite the fact that you are not a person of color, you are morally sound. You know racism has no place in our world.

Recently, many of my friends have reached out and asked where they should start. How can you join the conversation about racial and social justice in a real way? Here are three steps you can take right now within your workplaces and personal relationships.

1. Real allyship begins with listening. When a Black friend or colleague shares an experience with racism or shares what racism has looked like for them throughout their lives, listen first. Try not to respond from your own perspective or feel like it is a personal attack because you aren’t a person of color.

2. Don’t expect the one person of color in the room to be the voice for the Black community. Sometimes, we want answers quickly and may turn to the person that feels the most accessible. Our experiences and interests as Black people vary widely. You still have to keep the individual in mind when having tough conversations.

3. Check to see if a Black person is in the mental space to share. I am a sharer and always open to educating someone who wants to learn. This will not be the case for many people. Trauma and grief manifest themselves in different ways, so be sure your Black counterpart is in the space to share before you ask a race-related question.

This moment for racial and social justice feels different to me, and I am inspired. I hope we can all continue to learn from one another. Each of us has the same goal: to make this world a better place for us all.