“Racism is a complex system of social and political levers and pulleys set up generations ago to continue working on the behalf of whites at other people’s expense, whether whites know/like it or not. Racism is an insidious cultural disease. It is so insidious that it doesn’t care if you are a white person who likes Black people; it’s still going to find a way to infect how you deal with people who don’t look like you…. It is a thing you have to keep scooping out of the boat of your life to keep from drowning in it. I know it’s hard work, but it’s the price you pay for owning everything.” -Scott Woods

This past few weeks I have been thinking a lot, crying a lot, worrying a lot. The recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Aubrey pierced me in my heart and soul. A soul already struggling to deal with the senseless deaths of so many other people of color including children like Trayvon Martin and Tamir Rice. This is wrong. This system of racism, injustice, inequality, and oppression is wrong. Our children deserve better than this. While I am saddened that it took getting to this point for many people to truly see and realize how wrong this is, I am encouraged by the outpouring of support from so many people and more importantly, the number of people asking the right questions: What do I do? How do I help?

The answer is, we have to build a new America. We cannot continue to try to patch up this current America. This America was built to do what it has always done: take advantage of the talent, skill and grit of people of color while simultaneously oppressing and disenfranchising them. This system cannot be fixed, it has to be retooled. This sounds like a tall order but if ALL of us work together, we can do this. We can build a new America for my children and yours. Here’s what you can do:

In your personal life:

• Make your personal views public on social media. It is nice for you to reach out to me personally and tell me how horrified you are at what is happening to Black people in this country everyday. That’s great – now tell the world! And while you’re at it, share what you are doing to build a new America.
• Don’t let racist remarks or jokes slide without being checked. Don’t let anyone get by with it: friends, family, coworkers, church members. This will take some courage on your part. You don’t have to be confrontational but if someone tells a racist “joke” you can say very clearly – that is not funny and I’m disappointed that you would think so.
• Expose your children and your family to people of color on a regular basis. You will have to be intentional about this. Our current America is built on and thrives upon separation. Accept the birthday party invitation of your child’s black classmate and actually show up – even if you are going to be the only non-Black person there. It’s okay, we (Black people) are very frequently “the only one” in social situations. If you are active with your neighborhood’s HOA, invite one of your Black neighbors to help plan social events for the community. Expand your social circle and encourage your children to do the same.

In your public/professional life:

• Use your contacts to effect real change in your community. Are you friends with the sheriff or chief of police? Reach out to them about establishing a citizen oversight committee to monitor the investigations of excessive force and police misconduct. Push for required bodycams and required annual de-escalation and unconscious bias training for law enforcement officers. Lobby for a no tolerance policy for excessive use of force, profiling and targeting of Black citizens by police officers. Do you know someone on the school board? Talk to them about diversity among the teaching staff and how important it is that the educators reflect the diversity of the communities in which they teach. Talk to them about the systemic discrimination against black boys in the public school system and ask what they are doing to change it.
• Do you own a business or have influence over someone who does? Schedule mandatory diversity training for your employees (and make sure you attend and participate in the training). Institute an anonymous system for reporting racism in the workplace.

In your political/advocacy life:

• Vote in ALL of the elections. And vote with a purpose. Research the candidates – who are the donors for their campaign? Are those donors in line with what your vision of a new America? If you’re looking at an incumbent candidate, what promises did they make during their campaign and what steps did they take towards fulfilling those promises? What does their actual voting record reflect? No candidate is going to be everything you want but, most of the time, one candidate is clearly more in line with your personal goals and values than the others. And if your preferred candidate is no longer an option, pick the next best viable candidate. But don’t sit out of the election and not vote – that is NOT helpful to building a new America.
• Hold your elected officials accountable. Send an email, offer to be their liaison to your community and keep in touch with them. Let them know you are watching them and you expect results. Connect with organizations in your community that can amplify your voice with your elected officials.
• Make phone calls and send emails to your legislators letting them know what is important to you. If you are in Georgia, call and email the Governor, Lt. Governor, Georgia Senate and Senate Judiciary and advocate for the passage of the Hate Crime Bill, H. R. 426. If you are in Arkansas, South Carolina and Wyoming, contact your state assemblies and advocate for a similar hate crime bill.
• Donate to organizations that support and fight for the dissolution of the old America and building of a new, united America. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the ACLU are two such organizations. Smaller, grassroots organizations are active in many communities – if you are worried about proper use of your funds, join the organization and become active so you can monitor how your funds are being used.

This is not easy. But neither is being Black in America. Protest, donate, vote, speak up, use your privilege – just do something. Let’s build a new America.