Questioning myself is taboo

Have you?

Black Lives Matter.

And that’s why I’m questioning myself before I question anyone else. I encourage you to do the same. And after questioning, hopefully you can learn, and act, and contribute to change.

These questions made me feel uncomfortable, not because I didn’t know what to say, but because I was ashamed of the answers. But the answers that I wrote down, revealed our concealed system. One we need to break.

Have you ever stopped to think about how things came to be?

What have you learned about your countries culture/history? What have you learned about other countries cultures and histories?

Have you ever used slang or colloquialisms without knowing their context/origin?

What kind of social groups did you grow up in/with? Who do you surround yourself with now?

Have you ever considered the privileges you’ve had up until today?

Have you ever wondered where traditional beauty standards have come from? 

Have you done your own research outside of the media outlets and textbooks we are given in school? What do you know about anti-blackness, systemic oppression, privilege, and the role you and your communities playing upholding systems of white supremacy?

Have you ever prioritised your identity, over another? Have you ever made an excuse for doing so?

Have you ever let your friends, family, or colleagues get away with an inappropriate comment or reference in regards to someone’s race?

Have you ever felt differently around different cultures, ethnicities, races? How did you feel? Have you ever thought about why you feel that way?

You’re posting on social media, and what are you doing about it next? What resources do you have to offer?

If someone asks you why you’re privileged could you explain to them why?

Keep questioning. Do the work. Commit to change. Share it.