White Folks Guide to Protesting

[Anonymous]

I like these rules. I'm annoyed by the performative element of white people protesting. I don't think it accomplishes anything and is just there to show other people they're not racist - specifically if they're taking selfies, etc. Civil Rights peaceful protests were effective because they were backed by an extremely organized movement. The current protests will only be effective if the BLM, etc, (generally run by people of color) are actually allowed to run the protests according to their goals and methods. So to me that says white people should show up and do what their told. If you can't do that, then that says to me you're there to show off how unracist you are, rather than to actually make change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:POC anti-racism advocates: White people, do the work!

White people: *does the work*

POC anti-racism advocates: SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP

take for example the women’s march, which was organized by white women who had their organization commandeered by opportunists.

What work are you doing in this example?

Right now, the work is amplify black voices. Whether it’s showing up to the protest, sharing on social media, donating to good causes, or calling your representatives. None of that involves centering yourself/making it about you.

Like yeah, the language in the OP is harsher than I’d like, esp #4. But why obsess over that instead of the actual issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:POC anti-racism advocates: White people, do the work!

White people: *does the work*

POC anti-racism advocates: SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP

take for example the women’s march, which was organized by white women who had their organization commandeered by opportunists.

What work are you doing in this example?

Right now, the work is amplify black voices. Whether it’s showing up to the protest, sharing on social media, donating to good causes, or calling your representatives. None of that involves centering yourself/making it about you.

Like yeah, the language in the OP is harsher than I’d like, esp #4. But why obsess over that instead of the actual issue?

There is an incurrent of nastiness in the list. The list could be reformed to get ay what you are looking for, instead the message is "shut up and stay home if you don't like it."

Noted. I need to reorganize my garage anyways. Have a nice protest, remember to social distance!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:POC anti-racism advocates: White people, do the work!

White people: *does the work*

POC anti-racism advocates: SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP

take for example the women’s march, which was organized by white women who had their organization commandeered by opportunists.

What work are you doing in this example?

Right now, the work is amplify black voices. Whether it’s showing up to the protest, sharing on social media, donating to good causes, or calling your representatives. None of that involves centering yourself/making it about you.

Like yeah, the language in the OP is harsher than I’d like, esp #4. But why obsess over that instead of the actual issue?

There is an incurrent of nastiness in the list. The list could be reformed to get ay what you are looking for, instead the message is "shut up and stay home if you don't like it."

Noted. I need to reorganize my garage anyways. Have a nice protest, remember to social distance!

Undercurrent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But can I bring a little pillow for when I kneel for forgiveness for my race?

You are so self-centered if you think this about forgiveness for your race. It isn't about your race.

Because it’s such a great idea to fight for racial equality and unity without inviting anyone else to the table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend of mine posted this today. Has anyone else seen it. I am a liberal white woman but this list does not sit well with me and I am afraid to make a comment on her post.

White Folks Guide to Protesting

If you are a white person considering joining a protest this week, here is a list of rules put together for you. Friends of color, if they have forgotten anything, please add.

1, FOLLOW CALLS ONLY. Do not initiate or lead calls. Your job is to follow and add your voice when it is called for.
2. DO NOT TAKE SELFIES. Ask to take pictures or videos of individuals. You are there to witness only. Film the police as much as possible. Your goal is documentation to ensure that the true narrative is told.
3. BE HELPFUL. Hand out water and snacks. Make sure protest leaders are hydrated and fed. This is exhausting work, help keep their energy up.
4. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. If a black person tells you to do something, you do it immediately without question. You respect the authority and the decisions of the black protesters at all times.
5. STAY IN THE BACK UNTIL YOU ARE CALLED FORWARD. If you hear “White people to the front” or “Allies to the front” step forward and link arms with other white people to form a human shield.
6. WHEN YOU ARE AT THE FRONT, YOU ARE SILENT. Your job is to be a body. You are there to support only. The only voices on the police line should be black voices.
7. REMAIN CALM AT ALL TIMES. This is difficult. You will be emotional and your system will be flooded with adrenaline. Remember this is life and death for the protesters. Save your emotions for home. DO NOT AGITATE.
This is not a game. Joining a protest is a serious decision. Make sure you are there for the right reason. Support the safety of black protesters at all times.
Copied/pasted.

This is likely a greater problem than the list itself.

+1000. If it gets to the point where white people who are genuinely appalled by the racism in this country are being attacked with the new epithet "white fragility" or "privilege" any time they open their mouths, they will stop doing so. It seems that a white person can't say anything right anymore.

I’m guessing Me Too, was also confusing for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend of mine posted this today. Has anyone else seen it. I am a liberal white woman but this list does not sit well with me and I am afraid to make a comment on her post.

White Folks Guide to Protesting

If you are a white person considering joining a protest this week, here is a list of rules put together for you. Friends of color, if they have forgotten anything, please add.

1, FOLLOW CALLS ONLY. Do not initiate or lead calls. Your job is to follow and add your voice when it is called for.
2. DO NOT TAKE SELFIES. Ask to take pictures or videos of individuals. You are there to witness only. Film the police as much as possible. Your goal is documentation to ensure that the true narrative is told.
3. BE HELPFUL. Hand out water and snacks. Make sure protest leaders are hydrated and fed. This is exhausting work, help keep their energy up.
4. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. If a black person tells you to do something, you do it immediately without question. You respect the authority and the decisions of the black protesters at all times.
5. STAY IN THE BACK UNTIL YOU ARE CALLED FORWARD. If you hear “White people to the front” or “Allies to the front” step forward and link arms with other white people to form a human shield.
6. WHEN YOU ARE AT THE FRONT, YOU ARE SILENT. Your job is to be a body. You are there to support only. The only voices on the police line should be black voices.
7. REMAIN CALM AT ALL TIMES. This is difficult. You will be emotional and your system will be flooded with adrenaline. Remember this is life and death for the protesters. Save your emotions for home. DO NOT AGITATE.
This is not a game. Joining a protest is a serious decision. Make sure you are there for the right reason. Support the safety of black protesters at all times.
Copied/pasted.

This is likely a greater problem than the list itself.

+1000. If it gets to the point where white people who are genuinely appalled by the racism in this country are being attacked with the new epithet "white fragility" or "privilege" any time they open their mouths, they will stop doing so. It seems that a white person can't say anything right anymore.

I’m guessing Me Too, was also confusing for you.

I’m guessing that just about everything is confusing for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:POC anti-racism advocates: White people, do the work!

White people: *does the work*

POC anti-racism advocates: SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP

take for example the women’s march, which was organized by white women who had their organization commandeered by opportunists.

What work are you doing in this example?

Right now, the work is amplify black voices. Whether it’s showing up to the protest, sharing on social media, donating to good causes, or calling your representatives. None of that involves centering yourself/making it about you.

Like yeah, the language in the OP is harsher than I’d like, esp #4. But why obsess over that instead of the actual issue?

There’s a hair trigger in this space about what a white person can do to end up getting accused about “making it about you.” If you’re white, go organize a local protest. She how quickly you start getting accused of centering yourself.

[Anonymous]

White people are their own individuals with their own first amendment rights to speak out against police brutality in their own way. I completely agree that it's rude to interrupt and hijack, but LOL at blindly following another private citizen's orders or where to stand or only being a body.

[Anonymous]

I’m exhausted, apparently I can’t do anything right, my whole race is evil, and I have a laundry list of my own problem and limited time left over to care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like these rules. I'm annoyed by the performative element of white people protesting. I don't think it accomplishes anything and is just there to show other people they're not racist - specifically if they're taking selfies, etc. Civil Rights peaceful protests were effective because they were backed by an extremely organized movement. The current protests will only be effective if the BLM, etc, (generally run by people of color) are actually allowed to run the protests according to their goals and methods. So to me that says white people should show up and do what their told. If you can't do that, then that says to me you're there to show off how unracist you are, rather than to actually make change.

100 percent this. Allow the Black folks organizing the protests to do things the way they planned, even if the methodology of each step is not immediately obvious to you, a white person. You weren’t at the planning meetings, you weren’t there discussing the contingencies, and frankly the Black protest leaders have more important things to do with their time than sit down and explain or justify their decisions. You’re there to provide support, not to correct how the protest is being done.

[Anonymous]

I went to a protest and was fully respectful.

However, I am not going to “listen to what the protest organizers say no matter what.”

[Anonymous]

I'm a white person who is doing my part staying home, unracist, and out of the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like these rules. I'm annoyed by the performative element of white people protesting. I don't think it accomplishes anything and is just there to show other people they're not racist - specifically if they're taking selfies, etc. Civil Rights peaceful protests were effective because they were backed by an extremely organized movement. The current protests will only be effective if the BLM, etc, (generally run by people of color) are actually allowed to run the protests according to their goals and methods. So to me that says white people should show up and do what their told. If you can't do that, then that says to me you're there to show off how unracist you are, rather than to actually make change.

100 percent this. Allow the Black folks organizing the protests to do things the way they planned, even if the methodology of each step is not immediately obvious to you, a white person. You weren’t at the planning meetings, you weren’t there discussing the contingencies, and frankly the Black protest leaders have more important things to do with their time than sit down and explain or justify their decisions. You’re there to provide support, not to correct how the protest is being done.

Why do you assume I wasn’t at the planning meetings? Why is my involvement fenced in a very limited way?

Why would people want to stay engaged with an organization that won’t let them really truly engage and, if they try, tells them they aren’t welcome to serve? It makes me think you know very little about successful organizing.

[Anonymous]

Do you think when the white kids went down to the South in the 50s and 60s to organize voter registration drives they were told to shut up? No. They worked with the black organizers as a team.

You don’t recruit allies by telling people to STFU. You bring them in as part of the team.