Hello dear reader,

 It’s been a long time since I’ve posted, but I think it’s time to post today and for whoever may see this in the future so that my position and feelings are made clear. To be quick, American society is in desperate need of societal advancement. Though we may not have laws that are explicitly racist in their wording, the effects of those laws and the decisions and actions of people in positions of power or influence have resulted in inequal opportunities for one or more groups. (see White Rage video). I am asking those I know to stand up to this injustice, to propose the repealing of unfair laws and the establishment of equitable ones that prevent descrimination. I am asking those I know to have tough conversations, not only internally, but in their social circles.

“My charge to you is that when you go back to America, tell the friends to look within themselves and find there the reason so few colored people are in the Cause, and remove this reason; until this is removed, the Cause cannot grow… This is vital.”

Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Shoghi Effendi: Through the Pilgrim’s Eye, Vol 1, p. 143-144

Like Shoghi Effendi, I think that the great American Experiment is doomed to fail unless we recrify this woeful injustice in our society.

We must do the hard work of having these tough, uncomfortable conversations. We cannot believe that the best candidates for the top jobs are white males in the upper boardrooms of our society. Instead we must hasten the day where we see an all-white board room and ask, “isn’t that weird?” (Mellody Hobson) We must proactively teach our children not to descriminate, to reject the implicit suggestion that white society is the best society or that light skin is better skin. 

This is not me apologizing for everything white and saying white people have to apologize to everyone walking down the street, but we do need to challenge ourselves. Why do we only have white friends? Why do we avoid racial conversations? Why don’t we have to talk to our children about how to behave around police? It’s time for the tough conversations.

I hope that, like Robin DiAngelo, others will call me out when I say something inconsiderate or when I do something unfair. 

Below are my recommendations to you to get started on your own life-long journey. Understand that the dream of America I was taught was of a melting pot, not a layer cake.

Must See/Rex’s Recommendations:

White Fragility, an overview by the Author:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45ey4jgoxeU (1.5 hours)

White Rage: Understanding how certain laws, while not explicitly racist, have disdvantaged large portions of the public.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBYUET24K1c (53 min)
Color Blind or Color Brave, Mellody Hobson (George Lucas’ wife):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKtALHe3Y9Q (15 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHA7GFYZrSg (1 hour+)
A Class Divided: a teacher gives her class the experience of descrimination
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mcCLm_LwpE (1 hour)

Uncomfortable conversations with a black man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8jUA7JBkF4 (Series)

Thoughtful posts
https://www.whiteallytoolkit.com/news/2020/6/3/message-to-white-allies-from-a-black-anti-racism-expert-youre-doing-it-wrong
https://weshouldgettogether.com/blog/how-to-help-your-black-and-nonblack-friends-right-now
http://www.raceconscious.org/workshops-and-consultations/
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/06/19/opinion/politics/opportunity-gaps-race-inequality.html
Modern, lived experiences: https://giveadose.co/

Movies:
https://www.elitedaily.com/p/movies-that-tackle-systemic-racism-in-america-22954383
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+loving+movie

Books:
https://www.audible.com/blog/playlisted/an-antiracism-listening-list
https://tatianamac.com/posts/white-guyde/