Seeing Colour: Black, Pink and Blue

Hello friends,

Last week I saw a post from my sister Lisa about the blue bracelets. I'd seen it in passing but not paid attention so went to find out what it was about.

And what it was about, essentially, was white* women marking themselves safe from having voted for the orange one.

My question (and Lisa's): who is this serving? Because it isn't Black and Global Majority people. Or any of the people whose lives will be harder as a result of the policies that malign regime plans.

Listen, I know some people feel bad about how their demographic voted (and they should) and I get that white folks see this as a way to signal their vote and beliefs. From the outside, though, it looks performative with a capital P.

I urge you to sit with any feelings that come up for you on reading that, because here's the thing. No matter what your intentions are as a would-be anti-racist or advocate, no blue bracelet is going to convince a Black person or person facing oppression that a white person is safe. Because the overwhelming weight of evidence across generations is that, as a group, they are not. Black people would choose the bear.

I said as much in the SHHARE community meetup the other day. The US election result has made the job harder for would-be allies. In this moment, unless Black people know you deeply, have seen you doing the work, and have already experienced your solidarity, it's going to be scepticism. Deep scepticism. Because they don't know who's safe to engage with and they're taking no chances.

The message I'm seeing in a lot of circles is that Black women, especially in the USA, are done. They are only building community with those who they know have shown up for them or with those who share their identity. They are tired of showing up for people who, as a group, don't show up for them.

And please, don't "not all" me because "too many". Way too many.

White folx, nobody is going to know going in that you are trustworthy. And a blue bracelet will not help. Just as a pink hat didn't help. Nor did a black square.

In each of those cases, the gesture made white people feel better but did nothing for Black people. Not one thing.

Because no amount of digital cosplay will give the lie to the numbers or to the lack of action and general apathy. And even though individuals may not be apathetic, the demographics tell a different story.

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Calling All Accomplices - Action Steps

I know you're here because you want to do better, so here are some suggestions for accomplices, advocates and would-be allies in this moment:

• Recognise where Black people and people who face isms are right now

• Don't exhaust them by asking them to see you as safe

• Do not ask for a thing. Do your own reading and Googling and be alert for signs of how to support

• Pay Black people so they can find some respite in this moment.

• Expect scepticism and push back and, this is important, show up anyway and keep showing up.

That is how we build community and fight racism. So let's think beyond the blue bracelets, hmm?

P.S. While I'm talking mostly about the US context here, make no mistake that there are ripples globally. There are Black people who are emotionally exhausted in every country where white people are in the majority now or where they colonised in the past.

P.P.S. After I wrote this, Ashani Mfuko came up with the perfect analogy - check it out.

Thanks for reading,

Sharon

*Race isn’t real; racism is.

Note: poll feedback is private - if you’re happy to share your thoughts in public, then please also leave a comment.

Further reading:

I am an anti-racism educator and activist, the author of “I’m Tired of Racism”, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast.

© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2024. All Rights Reserved. This newsletter is published on beehiiv (affiliate link).