Reflection 1: As a black women, I have not experienced these emotions as a white person would. When I am sitting with my white friends, in the past, I would want to hold space for them and care take their feelings -- ultimately minimizing my experience and feeling like I need to console the other person. I am intentionally moving forward, and not trying to take these emotions away from people. It is important to feel a natural consequence for the actions and choices you made; it would almost be a service to take away that experience. Accountability is a complex concept that leads to many emotions. Some of which were mentioned in the prompt. I do believe that it is up to the person experiencing the emotion to be responsible for processing and regulating that emotional experience for themselves; not the burden of BIPOC and POC to take on.
Reflection 2: As a POC, when it comes to being anti-racism and a vocal ally for other POC and BIPOC, there is room for growth. I do pride myself on speaking up when racism, subtle or overt, occurs, and I call it out. However I can do a better job of educating myself on current issues that impacting communities within America today. It is very important to know the history as it informs the present, in order to be an effect ally you have to do he work ad that is what I intend to do.
Reflection 3: I feel more comfortable and empowered to speak up in the face of discomfort. I love that these videos have shared that people who speak up and step out of line, are not doing so unafraid, they're feeling the fear and doing it anyway. This is a theme in my own life, and I feel proud for so many people who have decided to be brave and do it again. I am happy that this message is being shared and I hope many people start to do the same. "In a world that wants us to whisper, I choose to yell".
Reflection 4: I am very ready to take on conversations about race. This has lit a fire in my life. I'm so excited to be learning about the hard truths for other POC and BIPOC because I want to speak up and be accountable for changing systems I may be apart of in oppressing these groups as well. I feel responsible and I am energized to be an ally.
