Welcome to Inclusion Unpacked! Your weekly newsletter where we unpack diversity topics to help founders, managers, and community leaders navigate the current climate.
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This Week we’re Unpacking: Daunte Wright and the Weaponizing of Blackness
I will preface this newsletter by saying I'm exhausted - the labor of being a Black person of color in the DEI space is hard. Writing these newsletters feels like shouting into the ether because I am no longer convinced that America wants to create systemic change. It seems to me that the change America wants to see is performative. So how can I, as a diversity advocate, move to create change when those on the other end want to maintain the status quo?
Stop weaponizing Blackness. Period.
Weaponizing Blackness means that you are fearful of a Black person simply because they are Black. The horrific murder of Daunte Wright was senseless. He was 20; he was afraid for his safety, he called his mom for help. Let that sink in. He called his mom for help. Why was the police officer so afraid of him?
I would be remiss if I didn't remind you that the fear of Blackness doesn't only show up in police settings. We see it at work, in school. It is everywhere.
We must ask ourselves: Why have we deemed it appropriate to fear Blackness (and where it comes from)?
As you read this and reflect on the senseless acts of violence that have taken place over this week, this year, and throughout America's history, reflect on the actions you are willing to take to dismantle racist systems. If you are not committing yourself to daily, lifelong work, you are unfortunately part of the problem.
Systemic change looks like true equality for all. It is a Black person being pulled over for a traffic stop and not fearing for their lives. It looks like trust and safety that the systems in place will protect us.
Here are three things you can do today to support Daunte Wright's family, honor his legacy, and fight against systemic racism.
Donate to Duante Wright's Family’s Go Fund Me Here
Donate to the Brooklyn Center Community Go Fund Me Here
Reflect on how you perpetuate the fear of Blackness and share what you are willing to do differently on our Instagram Page or by replying to this email.
Thank you,
Tori
CEO + Founder, Inclusion Unpacked