I’ve been seeing this phrase popping up in photos online for a little while now. On a recent walk in my neighborhood I noticed several yards with little signs that said the same. Hate has no home here.
It’s a simple thing – a public denouncement of bigotry, a small act of solidarity, and a gentle way to spread awareness to the people close to home. I suppose you could say that yard signs are the new bumper sticker.
Another thing I’ve been seeing a lot of is the calling of people to action – particularly people in the white community. This makes a lot of people uncomfortable – myself included. But feeling uncomfortable is almost always a necessary part of positive change. I’m not exactly sure how to navigate discussions about race and allyship, and I find myself stumbling and stuttering along, often saying the wrong thing or choosing the wrong way to help.
But what I do know, for sure, is that I have to keep trying. Getting it wrong is better than giving up, and I feel a responsibility toward the people and kids that I love. I need to do what I can to leave this world better than I found it. That means better for ALL of them.
I wrote and re-wrote this post a dozen times, trying to figure out how to make use of this platform in a way that will benefit social justice. I know that a large portion of my readership is also white, and I have a feeling that many of my fellow caucasians are struggling to find an appropriate and effective way to stand up for their beliefs in equality and peace. I thought about sharing my own thoughts on how to do that, but instead, I’ve decided to place that part of the conversation into more qualified hands.
Resources for Allies (Actionable Ways to Help and Articles That Have Resonated With Me and Helped Me to Work Through Some Big Feelings Lately)
- Safety Pin Box: Safety Pin Box is a monthly subscription box for white people striving to be allies in the fight for Black Liberation. Box memberships are a way to not only financially support Black femme freedom fighters, but also complete measurable tasks in the fight against white supremacy.
- Nice White Ladies: Nice White Ladies is dedicated to bringing white folks up to speed on the racial justice conversation.
- White Feelings: 0-60 for Charlottesville by Erynn Brook
- Welcome To The Anti-Racism Movement — Here’s What You’ve Missed by Ijeoma Oluo
- 5 Best Children’s Books on Diversity from Jack’s Mom in Austin
- 5 Organizations That Fight The Alt-Right, Support Anti-Racists, And Desperately Need Your Help from Bustle
In addition to crafting and blogging my feelings I’ve decided to put together a bake sale to raise funds for the cause. I’ve helped run sales for Austin Bakes over the years, and I’ll be working with a lot of the same people to pull this new caper off. Austin Bakes has raised thousands of dollars for humanitarian aid and disaster relief over the years so I have high hopes for the new sale’s success.
If you are also in Austin and would be interested in helping us organize, donate baked goods, offer up your space as a venue, or make your business a sponsor, please contact us here. The details on our sale are still being hammered out, but it looks like we’ll be aiming for this Fall for a sale date.
I know I said I wouldn’t share my own thoughts on how to be a good ally – especially since I’m still a work in progress myself, but I do want to share one little piece of advice for my fellow white folks. I feel like this has helped me grow, not only as an ally, but as a person, a mother, and a friend.
Listen to voices that are different than your own. Listen to people of color. Listen to people with different religions, different gender identities, different orientations. Hear their stories. Seek out their opinions and take time to digest what they are telling you. Accept that their experience may challenge your view of the world. Work through the pain. There is a better world on the other side of it.
And to my readers who are people of color, thanks for bearing with me. I’m glad you’re here.
OK. End rant. I’ll get back to food and crafts and all the usual goodies you expect to find in this space.
xo. Mary Helen
