It’s your problem, not mine: Fixing racism starts with white people

After May 25, 2020 — -the early weeks following the murder of George Floyd, my LinkedIn inbox was flooded with inquiries on how one could help as well as messages of support and solidarity. While I appreciate the sentiment and eagerness to help by my white colleagues, like so many Black people who have a diverse network, I too became completely overwhelmed.

I took many meetings, gave recommendations on readings, shared my perspective, spoke on several virtual panels and podcast over the past several months focusing on race, inclusion, and how we can best move forward. For the past seven years I have been completely transparent, spoken with much conviction around the need to address race, and continue to be intentional about doing my part to raise awareness whenever it’s appropriate to do so.

Like many of my peers, elders, and ancestors who came before me, I have placed the burden of speaking our truth in hopes that it will land on the ears of white people who need to hear it. With this burden I have grown tired, weary, and cynical to the point where I am not sure how much longer I can bare the weight of trying to speak reason to those who show sympathy, but lack the gravity of empathy to go beyond lip service toward the cause.