The Only Way Forward is Through

These are the books I started this week, a continuation of a self-set curriculum of research for both my books and for being a better human that I've been on for some time now. When The Reaper's Garden came in the mail yesterday, my husband looked at it and said "Because you haven't read enough books about Atlantic slavery?" (He doesn't even know about the other books.)

My husband was just teasing me. But I'm seeing a lot of my white peers at a loss right now, unsure how to respond to recent events. And I get it. But here is my response: get informed. And don't put the burden of teaching you how not to be racist on your loved ones of colour. They are dealing with enough emotional crap right now. There are plenty of other resources—written by people of colour—that are already available to help you learn what you need to know to be a better ally and friend without taxing the resources of your friend more. Use them. You'll also be supporting the authors of said resources, so that's another win.

And in case anyone ever asks if I've read enough books about how to be a good ally to people of colour:

No. As a white woman writing about a period of history that still affects the racial dynamics at play in our world today, I have not. As a white woman with friends of colour and family of colour, I have not. As a human being trying to figure out how to help the world we live in move through the difficult phase we are still in to something better, I have not.

I don't even know if I ever can. But I can try.

Because all I really know is that I still don't know way too much. And the only way to learn is to listen to the voices of those who know.

If you're one of those voices in my life, thank you. I appreciate your willingness to help me learn. I will do my best not to burden or hurt you with my ignorance. And I'm grieving with you now and always.