Don’t express outrage over George Floyd’s murder but then immediately get defensive when someone makes a negative statement about law enforcement in this country.

Don’t express outrage over George Floyd’s murder but fail to call out your friends and family when they make racist jokes/statements.

Don’t express outrage over George Floyd’s murder but also clutch your pearls at athletes kneeling during the national anthem.

Don’t express outrage over George Floyd’s murder but support political candidates whose policies are detrimental to people of color (hint: most of them).

Don’t express outrage over George Floyd’s murder but get uncomfortable when people discuss institutional racism or, even worse, say you’d prefer not to discuss such “political” topics.

Don’t express outrage over George Floyd’s murder but deny the existence of white privilege.

Don’t express outrage over George Floyd’s murder but backpedal and claim “we don’t know the full story” in other instances of police brutality.

Don’t express outrage over George Floyd’s murder but then get upset when people of color protest against the injustices that have plagued their communities since the dawn of America.

Above all, don’t express *shock* over George Floyd’s murder. If you’re at all surprised that such a terrible thing could happen in this country then, clearly, you haven’t been paying attention.

My fellow white people: harness that horrified feeling you got when you first learned about George’s murder. Use it to motivate you to do better for your fellow countrymen.

Express outrage over George Floyd’s murder — absolutely. But don’t express it and then move on. Educate yourself on institutional racism and encourage other white people to do the same. Use your privilege for good and continue to speak out when you witness injustice. Silence is complacence.

Madeline Phaby              May 30, 2020

#womensvoicesmedia