On Protests and My Black Ass Not Being There

To the people of pallor, who I'm sure will happily tell me Monday morning that they were at one of the many protests that took place this past weekend:

No, I didn't show up for any of the protests.

No, that isn't symbolic of me not caring about the real sh-- happening all around us.

Yes, you're preposterous and ignorant for even thinking that I am an uncaring individual, even if you only know who I am based on what I talk about and openly stand for and against on social media.

Yes, you are pretty ill-informed about the plight of Black and Brown people and how hard we've fought for ourselves and ultimately you for a century-plus if you think me - any of us - not showing up for y'all's virtue signaling rally is somehow indicative of me or any Black or Brown person not caring about the rights and safety of our communities and even your communities.

Yes, it is your turn to stand for something other than getting kudos, gold stars, and participation trophies. We're tired of fighting for EVERYBODY ALL THE TIME.

Yes, it is time for y'all to take a few laps and do some of the heavy lifting, seeing how your communities, families, and friends are why we're knee-deep in this ever-evolving living nightmare.

Yes, you do need to show up for more than the moments you can record on your phone and post on social media before you can even be remotely viewed as an accomplice in dismantling white supremacy and oppression.

No, you are not an activist. Showing up to a protest every few years does not give you instant credibility. You even wanting to engage in this conversation with me and other melanated folx, trying to question our credibility and shame us or act like you're more of an activist than people whose whole lives are a form of activism, show just how much of an activist you aren't.

No, we will not be talking about this again.

*I'm so glad* we had this chat.