I am not a racist.
Well, that’s what I thought, anyway.
In How to Be an Antiracist, author and historian Ibram X. Kendi writes…
“There is no neutrality in the racism struggle. The opposite of ‘racist’ isn’t ‘not racist.’ It is ‘antiracist.’ What’s the difference?… One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an antiracist. There is no in-between safe space of ‘not racist.’”
Ibram X. Kendi
Ouch, I thought. How many times have I claimed the not-racist identity?
As I read on, the light at the end of the (shame) tunnel is this: People aren’t racist or antiracist. Behaviors are. Being racist or antiracist is a choice you make in each moment.
This felt so empowering to read. And it parallels all aspects of our lives, right? Being (fill in the blank) is a choice. And you get to make that choice over and over again.
Who you are is a choice you make, moment by moment.
Mandy Kubicek
You want to be a creative person? Choose in this moment to act creatively.
Want to be a focused person? Choose a single focus, and for just the next minute, focus your attention while letting everything else go.
Want to be antiracist? Check out this list of resources and pick one step to take.
You want to be free? Choose what feels like freedom. Not tomorrow. Not when “this whole pandemic thing ends.” But right now.
Who do you choose to be?
PS Ready to become more of who you want to be, but not sure how? I help my high-achieving clients become more confident, peaceful, excited, loving, kind, productive, creative, energized… Whatever it is you want to create in your life, I’d love to help you.