Chrystall Clear

Sincerely, guidance and ideas and lessons learned and irritants are gratefully received. So far, I understand; - provide a platform for issues - don't derail speakers and topical issues just because they (A) don't relate to you or (B) you haven't experienced them - do your own research; it's not the job of your non-white friend to explain racism - poor is not being unable to afford a coffee; don't joke about it and try to avoid idiocy - you can't save money if you don't make enough just to cover rent. - people identify how THEY chose to identify; not according to you or science or a recent publication. Don't deny people their self-ascribed identities - don't touch or photograph people without explicit permission or use their stories as sympathy studies (without explicit permission) - culture does not justify the mistreatment of humans - neither does 'the economy' or 'science' - as an ally, you won't fully understand everything. That's the point - you're a team mate, not the coach so you don't get to lead the team to victory or have an overview of game strategy . At best, you get substituted on and you should make it a personal responsibility to find some sponsorship for the team - nobody owes you shit for learning about the lived histories of systematically disadvantaged people - don't give advice; listen and offer to support action - keep educating yourself - recognise your own privilege, understand it, challenge it and try to change the system. Seems counterintuitive but activism isn't active if it doesn't leave the World Wide Web - speak to people to challenge thinking; challenging harmful behaviour and speech becomes easier, more coherent and more confident the more you do it - learn key terms; race, gender, third world, capitalist, asshole etc - pay attention; notice the gender, colour and attitude of people around you and in positions of power, influence and poverty - call bullshit when you smell or see it - know what celebrations celebrate; thanksgiving, Christmas, Colombus day etc and learn why some groups opt out - follow news sources written by non-white, heterosexual males and females (f***ing eye opening in my experience!) - don't be an ass when you travel; know the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation and look for things other than wifi ... - LEARN THIS (cultural sensitivity) BEFORE HALLOWEEN - read up about basic white girls and don't be offended if you are white and identify as female; they have a point. - there's no such thing as reverse racism until history is reversed .. - tribal ties and ethnic allegiances are not easy to understand unless you have lived them - if someone calls you out for making racist, sexist, ignorant comments; they are likely right find out why Additions?