If you read nothing else this week...

…I encourage you to read this post by the always enlightening and ever brilliant Vu Le: nonprofitaf.com/2021/10/10-predictable-responses-from-white-dudes-when-people-criticize-inequitable-systems.

As we observe and reflect on Indigenous Peoples’ Day (yesterday, October 11th), Vu’s thoughtful post reminds us of how important it is to watch, listen and learn vs. getting angry or defensive, or worse, shutting down completely. I must confess that while every single one of the items on the list resonate with me, it is #s 5, 8 and 9 that bother me the most.

Though let’s be 100% clear: as a white, upper middle class straight woman, I’m confident I’ve been guilty of some of these behaviors myself over the years, and I will never stop learning. For every a-ha moment I’ve had regarding race and culture in my life, I know there are hundreds, if not thousands, more to come.