I was unable to choose just 1 sentence from the readings
this week, because the one that spoke to me didn’t make sense without the
other. In the class reading, “Between Speech and Silence: Reflections on
Accountability”, Russo, when speaking on her involvement in Incite!’s
conference, says, “These transformational moments in my life have mostly
occurred when I am intentional about how much space I take up and how much
space I give to listening; when I stop myself from thinking only about what I
have to say, or assuming that what’s most important in this moment is for me to
reveal myself as knowledgeable. It happens when I listen with Curiosity rather
than simply for confirmation of what I think I already know” (Russo, p. 38).
This spoke most to me because I am constantly trying to find my place in
feminism and race issues. I am a middle class, white female. Although I don’t
fully understand privilege and all that it entails, I have been told that I am
very privileged, and I would agree based on what I’ve learned about culture and
privilege in classes. I think it is important to be educated to the best of
your ability before speaking out on these kinds of things.
Last week, we did an activity in class that required us to
speak about some very controversial topics. My group got “Black Lives Matter.”
Immediately I was uncomfortable. I wasn’t upset because I disagree with the BLM
movement, but because I wasn’t educated on the politics that surrounded it. I
think a lot of people parade around stating that they are pro-Black Lives
Matter because they are afraid of the consequences attached with opposing the
movement, rather than educating themselves and finding where they actually
stand. I don’t want to be one of those people. All I could contribute to the
conversation was that there is a sense of ignorance that gets attached to
people who speak out on this topic without the right education. At that point,
I didn’t even know if it was appropriate for a white person to say “black lives
matter.” As Russo said, I needed to educate myself, figure out where I stand on
the topic, and find my place in advocating for what I thought was right.
I did some research on the Black Lives Matter website and
was surprised at my findings. First of all, I didn’t even know that women founded
the entire movement! I also had no idea that this movement encompassed so much
more than just raising awareness to the issue of racism in our country. They
also focus on diversity, globalism, loving engagement, queer and transgender
affirming, and empathy. One thing that stuck out to me, specifically, was the
fact that they acknowledged their level of privilege! Under their principle of
globalism they state, “We see ourselves as part of the global Black family and
we are aware of the different ways we are impacted or privileged as Black folk
who exist in different parts of the world” (Blacklivesmatter.com). Before doing
this research, I always had negative connotations attached with privilege.
Russo discusses that white people generally don’t like to talk about their
level of privilege because it creates an awareness of that separation of
classes when it comes to racism.
After doing my research on Black Lives Matter, I am much
more comfortable speaking about the topic and where I stand. As a woman and a
feminist, I can say that I agree with the principles and values outlined by
this movement. My next adventure is to, listen, be aware of my space, and find
my place in advocating for this movement.
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