I am responsible for partnering with people of color as I seek to dismantle racism. I recognize that people with racial privilege cannot do antiracism work without accountability to people of color, and I strive to develop meaningful partnerships, listen deeply, welcome consultation and critique, and solicit and receive feedback.
I am responsible for doing the necessary work within my own racial group to dismantle racism. Research shows that we are most receptive to messages from same-race peers, particularly when it comes to information about racial identity and racism. I am committed to bringing more white people into antiracism work and doing my best to prepare them to participate in ways that are effective and accountable.
I am responsible for doing more than just training other people. I engage in constant self-analysis and continued education about my own privileges and my role in antiracism work through both formal and self-education. I regularly reflect on and revise my own antiracist commitments.
I am responsible for leveraging my privilege for social change. I consistently work on antiracist organizing efforts at the local and national level. I am deeply involved in community work for antiracism, through the Santa Barbara chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice, an organization that engages in both local and national organizing for racial justice.
I am responsible for engaging in regular and rigorous unpaid labor for antiracism. I spend my time, energy, and money on antiracist organizing as an effort to counterbalance the unpaid labor and resources expended by people and communities of color who lead this movement. Unpaid work is required by people with racial privilege who are committed to dismantling racial oppression.
I am responsible for naming the uncomfortable and unfair contradiction that exists when paid DEI work profits from systems of oppression. I seek to offer high quality and effective training, some of which I get paid to facilitate and some not. I offer free training on a regular schedule every few months. When I asked to provide customized training outside of the free training I offer, I seek to disrupt the DEI Industrial Complex by offering those who are seeking training the lowest possible fees. When I receive a fair wage for any antiracism training work, I share proceeds with 1) a fellow facilitator of color, 2) an antiracist organizing group led by people of color, and 3) people of color in my life who are seeking support.