Your silence is a luxury

Thought journal

a story about how and why I became an ally

I used to think « I don’t see colors”, not realizing that I clearly did. I used to think “there is not a racist bone in me”, not realizing I had grown with a bias which society had imprinted on me. I used to think the justice system was fair, that those supposed to protect us actually did. I used to think “they won’t shoot if you don’t run”. I used to think humans viewed each other as equals.

I woke up.

I started to gain awareness of my own privilege in 2016, when the Black Lives Matter movement arose. I started opening my eyes to what had been taken, without credit, from Black culture at large, to the violence, to the fear, to the hatred I thought of as so 1950s.

It is not. It is real. It is happening right here, right now.

And let’s be clear, it is not just happening in the US, this is a systemic issue. This worldwide system has been controlled by the same people for too long for them not to feel entitled to all that they benefit from it. Forgetting that they were supposed to work FOR the people.

Today, I see, I hear, I understand, I research. I want to learn how to be the best ally.
For the last year, I’ve been learning how to stand up for myself, how to reclaim my narrative, express my voice and feel valid when I do so.
Right now, I understand that I am not the one who needs a platform the most.

As part of the LGBTQ+ community, I know what it is to fear, we know what it is to feel unsafe in some places and conversations.
It is time we stand up for those who feel the same way.
It is time to give back. Let’s not forget that Marsha P. Johnson, a black trans woman, gave us our riots. She’s the one who fought for our rights in the first place.

As white people, if Black people need a shield, let’s give it to them. If they need to make more noise, let’s shout with them.

But let us not forget, that when we stand up, we stand with them, not for them, that we are writing their story. That when the police enter the fight, Black people will be the ones getting hurt and arrested. So I will do my best to be an ally, not a savior, to be a shield, not a hero. Let’s use our privilege to turn the system upside down. Do not break shit, white people, do not provoke violence or tension, this is not your rage to express, this is not your ass on the line. Protect and support as much as you possibly can.

Here are some links where you can donate – if you can – and petitions to sign that will help. (If you live out of the US)

Donations:

Black Lives Matter
to donate to BLM you can also stream this video – without an adblock – all the add proceeds will go to them.

The Bail Project

The National Bail Fund Network

Black Visions Collective

Communities United Against Police Brutality

Petitions – if you live out of the US and need a zip code, here are some you can use 10001, 90003, 33190

Stand with Breonna (who was shot eight time during her sleep during a drug raid, the police was in the wrong house)

Justice for David McAtee

Hands up Act

Justice for Alejandro Vargas Martinez (a 17 year old shot 7 times, no arrest have been made)

National Action Against Police Brutality