I would like to preface this with a small statement that I started writing this particular post a few months ago and I put it aside. It didn’t feel right to share because this movement isn’t about me and I didn’t want to offend anyone or say the wrong thing so I got scared. This post was the easiest for me to write. It usually takes me forever to finish a post however the words just came so easily on this one. I feel deeply about this matter and realised that I should find the courage to potentially say the wrong thing because someone who is more educated may correct me and then I will learn. I’ve done some of my own research, watched documentaries and before sharing I asked close friends to read this post in order to gain some insight into their experience, knowledge and thoughts. I’ve also added what I’ve learned from them and I’m so grateful to have those people in my life. I would like to share what I have learned so far.

I once had a conversation with someone about my white privilege and although I accepted it, I didn’t fully understand the power of what that really meant at the time. I mostly focused on defending myself with the mentality that “I don’t see colour” and “I treat everybody equally no matter their skin colour” Although the second part may be true, the notion to be white and not see colour is in fact a subtle racist comment because to not see colour, is to not acknowledge that racism exists and is white privilege. We need to see colour and what it means to be black or indigenous in the world that we live in, to fully understand what is happening. I may have said some inappropriate comments in the past, never in a malicious way, only because I was uneducated and unaware of what I was really saying. I wasn’t ready to have that uncomfortable discussion to really look at myself and my life to realise that I am privileged. I am still learning and although you may read this and disagree with me on this matter, just know that I will never treat you differently for your opinion as long as you’re respectful and take the time to really consider your words and be fully educated.

Some people do not understand what the “All lives matter” phrase really means and the easiest way I can describe how important it is to say and believe “black lives matter” is, imagine your house on fire and needs to be extinguished. The fireman does not go to the neighbour’s house and start to water their house saying “all houses matter.” They will focus on the house that is burning because that is the house that is currently in trouble. To say “all lives matter” is making this about you when it has absolutely nothing to do with you. Of course “all lives matter” and they SHOULD all matter, but unfortunately they do not. 

“There comes a time when silence is betrayal.”

MArtin luther king, Jr.

 When I wrote this post and started learning more I focused on current problems and all that black people are going through in today’s society. However, it goes much deeper than that and is something I still don’t know much about. It would be an injustice to not acknowledge that racism and oppression has existed since the beginning and is something that is still felt today by black Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people.  Indigenous and black people were mistreated, kept as slaves and forced out of their families and communities around the world. When changes were made the damage was too strong and so they were fighting for the right to live in a society that still held the notion that white people are better. They were asked to change everything about their culture and way of living and yet they couldn’t get jobs, own land or obtain a loan and as this was happening white people were getting more jobs, buying more houses and so this creates the divide and oppression that we still see today.

The headlines here in Australia are ‘America is at its breaking point’ and I think that makes some Australians believe that we are beyond racism and discrimination here. However, this outlook may just be their perception of a situation because they simply do not see it in their privileged community or have never been around someone who has experienced it. Read a book, watch a movie or documentary to gain more understanding of the unfair ways black people are still being treated and if you don’t want to take the time to do this then you forgo your right to have an opinion of this matter…at least an educated one anyway.

I hate to admit it but there was a time when I did not believe the date of Australia day should be changed. Now after gaining more awareness, I 100% believe it should be. Every year we drink, play cricket and celebrate our country and of course we should still do that. However, simply change it to a different day. Indigenous people have called Australia home for more than 60 000 years, they’re the custodians of the world’s oldest continuous living culture. Australia was home to more than 500 indigenous groups and about 750 000 people and when the first fleet arrived by the 1900s the indigenous population was estimated to have reduced by 90%.  For indigenous people the 26^th is a day of invasion and in no way a day to be celebrated. All Australians should be able to come together to celebrate this beautiful country and we can be a more inclusive country if we simply change the date.

Here are some Netflix documentaries
When They See Us
Hello, privilege. It’s me, Chelsea.
Time: The Kalief Browder Story
13^th
The Innocence Files
All Day and a Night

Lots of love and always remember, to be present in life.
Leticia xx