Hi Friends-
I used to talk a lot about work and productivity in this newsletter, but the focus has shifted more recently to self-awareness and healing — two topics it is impossible to address without speaking to our present moment of reckoning. So today I'm offering some readings and resources related to racial justice and the black experience that I have found helpful as a white person.
It's also PRIDE month, and I want to invite you to join me in supporting the QTPOC community (Queer and Trans People of Color). As we reckon with police brutality, they are among the people most likely to experience violence. Trans people are seven times more likely to experience police violence, and transgender-related violence disproportionately affects people of color.
These are the orgs that I will be donating to this month: Normally, I would have also been releasing an episode of Hurry Slowly this week. But my incredibly slow production cycle — usually something I'm proud of — is not well suited to responding to rapidly changing events. So as I retool to publish an episode that's more aligned with what's unfolding, I'd like to offer you a few archival episodes that may resonate: | |
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This is what working while black in America is like. Fortune on the micro-aggressions and discrimination that black people experience in the workplace: "For many years, I've worked in corporate America. As I slowly moved up the corporate ladder, I began to notice there were fewer black employees until I was the only one," shared Bryan, 51, who lives in a diverse and talent-rich city. "Eventually, I myself resigned because I learned I was being paid less than half of what my white colleagues earned. When I confronted HR and my manager about it, they blatantly lied to me."
Time decontextualizes trauma. A powerful interview with therapist and trauma specialist Resmaa Menakem on race, trauma, and the body: "Einstein said energy cannot be created nor destroyed. But it can be thwarted. It can be manipulated. It can be moved around. When we're talking about trauma, when we're talking about historical trauma, intergenerational trauma, persistent institutional trauma, and personal traumas — whether that be childhood, adolescence, or adulthood — those things, when they are left constricted, you begin to be shaped around the constriction. And it is wordless. Time decontextualizes trauma."
The Trayvon generation. A moving piece from poet and scholar Elizabeth Alexander on what her sons have witnessed growing up black in America: "I call the young people who grew up in the past twenty-five years the Trayvon Generation. They always knew these stories. These stories formed their world view. These stories helped instruct young African-Americans about their embodiment and their vulnerability. The stories were primers in fear and futility. The stories were the ground soil of their rage. These stories instructed them that anti-black hatred and violence were never far."
What to do after reading White Fragility. On WNYC's Come Through podcast Rebecca Carroll asks White Fragility author Robin DiAngelo hard questions in this excellent interview: "Another issue or concern for me with the book and the way in which it's presented to white people as a tool to learn how to confront their own white privilege and fragility is that - in the past few years I've had white friendships, atrophy because of race and racism, and then had more than one of these former friends reach out to tell me that they've read your book and are now working on themselves. As if reading your book and telling me about it makes them good to go? What do you think white people should do after they read your book?"
Black publishing power. To demonstrate black power and clout in the publishing industry, #BlackoutBestsellerlist and #blackpublishing power are encouraging everyone to purchase two books by black writers now through Saturday, June 20th. The goal is to take over the bestseller lists with black voices. This is a list of black-owned independent bookstores you can buy from.
Some resources for white people that I found useful:
+ White anti-racism, living the legacy.
+ How to help your black friends and your non-black friends today.
+ Rachel Cargle's 30-day #DoTheWork course.
+ A list of smart women to follow on Instagram.
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SHOUT-OUTS:
Link ideas from: The Race Ahead Newsletter, Yay Collective, Bustle, Sally Rumble, and Chescaleigh.
You can support this newsletter by: Donating to the QTPOC organizations listed above. They could use your support much more than I. 🙏 | | | Share This Newsletter via: | |
Hi, I'm Jocelyn, the human behind this newsletter. I created the online courses Hi-Fi, a journey into the wisdom of the heart, and RESET, a cosmic tune-up for your workday. I also host Hurry Slowly — a podcast about how you can find more calm, comfort, and clarity through the simple act of slowing down. | | | | |
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