OK, so I really want to be an advocate, right? We all do. I look at the description, and I see myself there, and I am telling myself that I should doubt this because I could be just wishing that I'm there when I may have a long way to go. Committed: I am committed to anti-racism. It has to stop, and I want to be part of its destruction. Routinely, actively championing inclusion: I resist white-only spaces, organizations, processes, practices, and beliefs. I ask the question "why aren't there any POC here?" and "What assumptions are here that don't apply to POC or marginalized/minoritized folks?" Also, "What are we missing, and who needs to be here to make sure we're being inclusive?" So...is that enough? I know that there's much more to being an ally. I can see that in my resistance of white-only spaces (etc), I can also be toxic in my mocking/thumbing my nose at them. I see my own desire to become a white savior and "one of the good ones" while I scorn those around me who desire the same thing. I arrogantly declare, "I'M doing the WORK!" to those who I perceive aren't. I need to make this not about me, and I need to make it about working for a just society. I need to take myself out of the picture. Thoughts?
I think that where we are on the spectrum can and does change. Small changes and opening up to opportunities to learn more is important. I just listened to a new song for me Where is the love? It is by the black eyed peas and has some rap content. That song spoke to some of what we covered in these modules. It is also something I would have probably passed over before taking this class. Another form of listening. I loved it.
Like you, I try to avoid places that are white only. I am no savior and I don't need to be. People of color do have power and voices. They just don't have the same opportunities.