Another white woman doing her thinking out loud
Sophie Lombardi
The last thing the world needs right now is a middle class, white women telling everyone about the complexities of racial discrimination. I am absolutely no authority on this subject, however what I do know is that we cannot let the current push to drive out racism become merely a hash tag trend and we mustn’t take our feet off the gas.
I am definitely guilty of ignorance and ashamed to say that I have experienced racism and not acted to correct the offensive behaviour. During my time in Australia I met many enlightened individuals advocating for indigenous rights, however I also witnessed the ridicule, insult and degradation of a marginalized group. When confronting racist remarks, I was frequently told that I didn’t understand the context or ‘grow up with them’ and so wasn’t in any position to pass judgement. These comments shut me up when I should have continued the conversation and done more research. Similarly when discussing calling out racism with my youngest son, he said he would be hesitant to do so for fear of being laughed at.
Many of us do not feel comfortable with confrontation, but I for one need to get over myself and use my white privilege to speak out against racial discimination. If I get a bit of an ‘earth swallow me up’ sensation for a few moments, so what? My snowflakey feelings of discomfort are insignificant when you consider that many people of colour experience feelings of shame and otherness every single day and have done for centuries.
The books below explore racism and the experiences of people of colour from some very knowledgeable authors. There are so many resources floating around on the web, however I can recommend these titles with confidence. If you have any other resources that you would like me to share on this page, please get in touch.
Sophie xx
Non Fiction :
I Am Not Your Baby Mother by Candice Brathwaite
Why I Am No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
Slay In Your Lane by Elizabeth Uviebinené & Yomi Adegoke
Fiction :
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
*Your recommendations.
