I like to say that I am the Acceptance without Understanding™ gal.
I am struggling right now, and I am not sure I will say this all correctly, but I must say it!
I DO NOT ACCEPT RACISM!
I accept there are racists, I am not perfect, and to some, I may be perceived as racist, saying that I am working to be better every day. It is not up to me to declare myself not a racist. Others will do so.
I accept that racists have their point of view.
This is where acceptance ends!
Just because I accept they have an opinion does not mean I have to take their view over my own opinion.
When our opinion translates into behaviour that infringes on another's human rights that cross's the line.
Since we are all unique, the line is also unique. I can not tell you where your line is, and you can not tell me where mine is.
The process of Acceptance without Understanding™ is a philosophy to live an authentic life; the work to learn to accept is ongoing as we are continually growing and adapting.
White people as one of you, I am calling us out for Accepting a system of oppression that societal benefits us while oppressing others.
I have the privilege as a white person because I can do all of these things without thinking twice:
I can go birding (#ChristianCooper)
I can go jogging (#AmaudArbery)
I can relax in the comfort of my own home (#BothemSean and #AtatianaJefferson)
I can ask for help after being in a car crash (#JonathanFerrell and #RenishaMcBride)
I can have a cellphone (#StephonClark)
I can leave a party to get to safety (#JordanEdwards)
I can play loud music (#JordanDavis)
I can sell CDs (#AltonSterling)
I can sleep (#AiyanaJones and #breonataylor)
I can walk from the corner store (#MikeBrown)
I can play cops and robbers (#TamirRice)
I can go to church (#Charleston9)
I can walk home with Skittles (#TrayvonMartin)
I can hold a hairbrush while leaving my own bachelor party (#SeanBell)
I can party on New Years (#OscarGrant)
I can get a normal traffic ticket (#SandraBland)
I can lawfully carry a weapon (#PhilandoCastile)
I can break down on a public road with car problems (#CoreyJones)
I can shop at Walmart (#JohnCrawford)
I can have a disabled vehicle (#TerrenceCrutcher)
I can read a book in my own car (#KeithScott)
I can be a 10yr old walking with my grandfather (#CliffordGlover)
I can decorate for a party (#ClaudeReese)
I can ask a cop a question (#RandyEvans)
I can cash a check-in peace (#YvonneSmallwood)
I can take out my wallet (#AmadouDiallo)
I can run (#WalterScott)
I can breathe (#EricGarner)
I can live (#FreddieGrey)
I CAN BE ARRESTED WITHOUT THE FEAR OF BEING MURDERED (#GeorgeFloyd)
White privilege is real. Take a minute to consider a Black person's experience today.