White Fragility

Up until recently I was unaware of something called white privilege. The moment I heard about it it made sense to me though. In my heart I knew there was truth in it.

But with that new-found awarness came discomfort. How was I going to approach this? I felt the need to talk to people of colour in person about this, but I was also afraid that even that question might be a racist question and a supersensitive one to ask. So I went blank. I had no idea why, but for weeks I went blank. As if I just couldn't access that part of my awareness anymore.

Until I a few days ago a beautiful piece of music cracked my heart open again and I could finally feel the courage to make a move. My hands were shaking as I typed the message, but I spoke from the heart and shared my willingness to educate myself around this with a beautiful woman of colour whom I hold very dear.

She replied with an equal open heart that she does not feel called to educate me about it, but that her white partner suggested the book "White Fragility" by Robin Diangelo. Subtitle: Why it is so hard for white people to talk about racism.

Says it all really, doesn't it?

I haven't read it yet, but I figured that if I am feeling this way many of you might be too. So let's start reading together, shall we? It's never too late to educate ourselves.