Meet Anti-Racism Writer, Vena Moore

Hello friends, I can’t remember which article led me to discover Vena Moore, but I’m glad I did. I enjoy the way she skilfully examines aspects of white privilege from a Black woman’s perspective. I’m thrilled to be able to introduce her writing to those who haven’t already read it. Please meet Vena.

1) Vena, what made you become an anti-racism writer?

I never set out to become an anti-racism writer per se. I've wanted to write since childhood but I didn't get a lot of encouragement to do so and I lacked confidence. I did write here and there but I wasn't consistent with it. A switch went off inside me last year when I turned 50. I felt that I had something to say and that life was too short not to do something I enjoy.

It didn't take me long to realize that any subject I could think of to write about, be it literature, travel, finances, anything, was affected by racism. My lived experience as a Black woman was going to affect how I treated those subjects and I felt I owed it to myself and readers to let myself be seen. I don't have the luxury to not discuss race in some fashion.

2) What response have you had?

I've had a few trolls but they're in the minority. I've had great responses. I love that my words have the power to move people and make them think.

3) In relation to racism, what is your vision for the future?

It's a hard question for me to answer. When I was younger, I would have said that if only people talked and listened to each other, then we could get over our differences, but age has made me cynical. It's going to take a lot more than just talking and listening. It involves actually DOING. It involves literally tearing down the institutions that preserve white supremacy and starting anew but too many people don't want to put in that kind of effort. And by people, I mean white people. Black people should not be responsible for dismantling white supremacy when we didn't create it.

4) What are your top three anti-racism articles you have written?

It's a hard choice! In no particular order, I choose these:

1) "White Women Stop Trying To Be Me"

This one deftly describes my intersections as a Black woman with an issue that is especially vexing to us-that of white women who attempt to look and act like us for their benefit.

2) "I Don't Want To Be Black Right Now" 

Written a week after George Floyd's murder, it's one of the rawest pieces I've done on just how exhausting it is to live while Black.

3) "The Hidden White Privilege of Adulting"

It takes an issue that people don't usually pay much attention to, adulting, and puts it in a socioeconomic and racial context.

5) Share one anti-racism article you've read written by someone else that resonated with you.

Again, this is hard. There's so many great anti-racism writers. Here's a recent one from Rebecca Stevens Adler that was so exceptional I could have highlighted the whole thing. "This Is What I Would Do If I Had White Privilege For A Day." 

I hope you enjoyed learning more about Vena. Please follow Vena Moore on Medium and Twitter to keep up with her anti-racism writing.

Thanks for reading,

Sharon

I am an anti-racism writer, a professional B2B writer and blogger, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast. Learn more about why I started this newsletter and how you can support it.