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Reprint: TEN WAYS WHITE PEOPLE CAN STOP ANNOYING PEOPLE OF COLOR ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Originally appeared at Wear Your Voice 5–30–2017
THERE IS NOTHING GENTLE ABOUT RACISM AND OUR RESPONSES TO IT DON’T WARRANT SUBTLETY OR KINDNESS IN RETURN.
When it comes to social media etiquette, we are all still learning how to interact with each other while respecting boundaries and the spaces we give ourselves.
What has translated over straight from our in-person interactions are racist, sexist and ableist micro and macro aggressions. How do we navigate those? Well it would help if folks with privilege recognized the ways in which they are routinely demanding labor from marginalized people online.
In regards to white folks and their anti-blackness, here is a list of 10 ways they can stop annoying people of color on social media:
1. When we post about racism — like being called racist names, racial harassment, feelings about being called racist things or being racially harassed — stop saying you’re shocked. Don’t say, “I can’t believe this still happens”. Don’t tell us all the ways you’re surprised because you’re either lying, or you haven’t been paying attention. Don’t show us how much you don’t listen when we talk with a careless…
