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Black people are fighting death from a pandemic and systemic racism at the same time. Black people are tired and traumatized. We can barely process our own trauma, yet white people are asking their Black friends and colleagues to help them figure theirs out. Somehow, they have not realized the oppression that has been the Black experience. It is not our job to fix a racist system that we did not create. All racism is not overt or explicit hate.

When white people ask how they can be an ally, highlight the following racist practices and let them brainstorm their own strategies. We don’t have time. Don’t call us to tell you what to read and do.

Danielle Hairston, M.D.

Writing since February 2022 · 2 stories contributed