“We have to be better than this moment. We have to plot, plan, strategize, organize, and properly mobilize.” - Killer Mike

To say that last week was rough would be an understatement of epic proportions. But under the word rough are layers of emotions that differ for everyone. My layers were rage, sadness, exhaustion, fear, and hope. What were yours? 

In an effort not to be tone deaf, I’ll be taking the opportunity in this month’s newsletter to address a few of the issues around this racial pandemic, how Black people are being affected, and how everything that is happening in our country directly and indirectly affects you.

As you read, I challenge you to examine your behavior and biases, and decide how you will act to plot, plan, strategize, organize, and properly mobilize to be the change we so desperately need in this world. 

“Too often we judge other groups by their worst examples while judging ourselves by our best intentions. ” - George W. Bush

In psychology we call this concept self-serving bias. And we ALL do it. When Ahmaud Aubrey went into the house that was being built, he was assumed to be robbing it. But when white discussed the visits of other neighbors who looked like them, their behavior was described as ‘curious’ and ‘harmless’. 

Dispositional attributions occur when one thinks that someone’s behavior is caused by something within them, such as their personality, motive, or attitude. 

Situational attributions occur when one thinks something outside the person, such as the nature of the situation, is the cause of his or her behavior.

Subsequently, the fundamental attribution error is the tendency to explain other people’s behavior in terms of dispositional attributions rather than situational ones. 

When is the last time you gave someone the benefit of the doubt? Let’s be more aware of how we’re viewing others. It makes a big difference in our interactions. 

“I guess I’ll just have to buy another treadmill” - Dr. Yardan Shabazz

Tell stories. Share stories.There’s healing through narrative. It’s #intentional.

“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist. ” - Angela Y. Davis

Race is nothing but a social construction, literally created by man and accepted by people in a society. Even though we are ALL part of the human race, we identify with certain groups. Our life experiences are shaped by the groups we belong to. Because racism and white privilege are considered the norm, consistently accepted in our institutions, media, and communities, we need allies to be actively anti-racist in order effect change. 

Being antiracist is fighting against racism. Racism takes several forms - individual, interpersonal, institutional, structural. No one is born racist or antiracist; these result from the choices we make. Being antiracist results from a conscious decision to make frequent, consistent, equitable choices daily. These choices require ongoing self-awareness and self-reflection as we move through life. In the absence of making antiracist choices, we (un)consciously uphold aspects of white supremacy, white-dominant culture, and unequal institutions and society. Being racist or antiracist is not about who you are; it is about what you do. (NMAAHC, 2020)

The words, “I’m not racist,” are not enough anymore.” Less talk. More Action. It saves lives.