I think most White people want a quick fix and unfortunately, this will not happen. We are dealing with a deep-rooted systematic problem on top of the unchecked and ignored emotional trauma of Black people. And now we have White people telling us how to behave to help THEM understand.

I know it’s impossible for you to be in a Black person’s shoes. But imagine an abused woman. She is trying to heal and her abuser is mad because she’s not healing fast enough. So he tells her, “You’re not DOING this right! I know I broke your arm, but your bones aren’t healing the way I want them to! Don’t get mad at me for trying to help you! You should understand that it’s not my fault your arm broke when I grabbed it! And now I want to help you but everything I say is WRONG! Why don’t you listen to me?”

No one can heal in the environment where they were hurt. If people aren’t receptive, now is just not the time to engage. Do what you can on your own in your community by discussing racism with other White people to see where your ideas about Black people may exhibit biases and work through them together.

And the “divide” you spoke of is not true. Black people do not all think alike and are entitled to have a difference of opinion just like White people or anyone else. You won’t find entire groups of any ethnicity who think the same. I’ve met racist White people and compassionate White people. I don’t see that as your community being divided. I see that as different groups with differing opinions.

If it’s in your heart to make a difference it will happen, no matter what anyone around you is doing.