Regarding the Chauvin verdict --- here's a few thoughts to keep in mind.
Dear children of the Black and African Diaspora:
It is not your job to "speak with AUTHORITY for all Black people" about the trial today or tomorrow (or next week).
If you are not in an emotional or spiritual place to engage in discussions, do not feel obligated. Set healthy boundaries in your personal and professional spaces.
REST & unPLUG (step away from social media --- decompress, reflect, journal, garden, go for a bike ride, soak your feet in warm water, call a good friend, etc.)
Dear brown, beige, white, and pink decolonizers-in-training:
Do not get comfortable . . . the work continues.
Do not spend tomorrow (or tonight) reaching out to all your Black friends and co-workers to ask how they're feeling (especially if you do not correspond regularly). Even if you think your heart is in the right place, this comes off, at best, performative.
Do not rush to argue (via social media) with people who are upset that Chauvin was convicted. Re-evaluate who you want in your [decolonized] space. It is YOUR responsibility to challenge racism and white supremacy in your home, workspace, and community.
Challenging racism does not have to become a public spectacle. If your relative or friend is not decolonized or practicing antiracism, send them a message with an invitation to hold space for a conversation via zoom or phone.
Antiracist work is not seasonal work. Antiracist work is a lifelong journey.
It is alright to feel angry, frustrated, or helpless about the verdict. The next step is to ask yourself:
What is my role as an abolitionist, decolonizer, disruptor, or educator? How can I cultivate an antiracist, decolonized community?
If you're ready to decolonize your understanding of history and build antiracist tools to practice in your day-to-day life, come join me on Patreon.