From The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph, discussing an experience from his teen years, dinner at a white friend’s house:
“I didn’t just think about the racist things that happened. I thought about how everyone had created a shield so I couldn’t criticize their racism and how I also felt my Blackness being erased in the process. …
I’ve come to realize that a fear of accountability is why people say things like ‘I don’t see color’ and ‘Why does everything have to be about race?’ Because to see my color, to see my culture, to see my race, would also mean taking responsibility for how white people have historically treated people my color, with my culture, from my race.
… More importantly, talking about and combating racism doesn’t ‘make everything about race’—racism makes everything about race, and racism can be found in every part of society. From our educational system to our legal system, nonwhite people are disproportionately mistreated and oppressed.”
Those of us at All of You Counseling who move through our society today with the innumerable, unfair privileges that come with being identified as white, recognize that we need to take responsibility for speaking and acting against the forces that protect those privileges. For members of the community who would like to learn more about anti-racism, or teaching children in their care to be anti-racist, we have compiled (and will add to) these resources.
All of our therapists participate in ongoing education and training about the additional stressors many BIPOC people are subjected to. Our therapists are committed to making sessions for BIPOC clients a safe space where these stressors, as well as any other concerns, can be shared and addressed.