Interview: Sharon Hurley Hall Talks to Writers About Racism

I’ve seen it and heard it myself.

George Floyd must have been on drugs. So what are they to do?

Breonna Taylor was “running” with a boyfriend who had a gun. So what are they to do?

He took a knee. “That’s disrespectful and he needed to find another way to protest.”

They took to the streets. “They need to find a quieter way to protest.”

Racism is rampant. Not just here, where white supremacy finally has its spotlight, but around the world. And once again, no matter how the black community tries to affect change, peacefully or otherwise, we don’t listen.

But this post isn’t about the obvious racism. It’s about the racism you don’t see, the stuff that goes on every day, the marginalizing we either don’t see or choose to ignore. It’s about a system that, whether you believe it or not, is skewed against a person of color.

It’s about what we can do to help change it.

When Sharon Hurley Hall began her Anti-racism newsletter a few months back, I started reading. Sharon’s stories and approach to addressing racism in all facets of life leave an impression. They paint a portrait of a way of living we of white privilege have never experienced.  But Sharon’s words do more — they inspire. Because this is not a “black” problem. It’s a humanity problem. We’re all responsible for the spread, and ultimately, for the demise of racism.

Sharon kindly agreed to discuss her anti-racism newsletter and approach with us, and to invite us all to take part in raising awareness and affecting change. I asked her a few questions to get the conversation started. Please leave any questions or comments for Sharon in the comments section.

Q: Shifting your business model to anti-racism is a big move. What was the process like?

Sharon: The process is still ongoing, Lori. I didn’t know when I wrote my first article back in June that this is where it would lead me, but it feels right. It’s been incremental. I started an anti-racism newsletter and have taken the chance to contribute to anti-racism panels and articles. I’ve also recently started teaching anti-racism courses with Beyond School.

Q: What was the reaction like from your clients and network? How much of your business focuses on anti-racism? (Trick question, I know)

Sharon: I wasn’t sure what would happen when I started posting about racism more openly. My existing clients haven’t said much one way or another, and I’ve actually picked up some new opportunities because of it, which is positive.

That’s actually part of my plan. I’m prioritizing opportunities with an anti-racism or diversity focus, though for now, B2B writing remains the “day job”. Hopefully, anti-racism will BE the day job by the end of next year. That would make me very happy, as I feel this is something I have to do – my purpose, if you want to call it that.

Q:You explored racism in your book Exploring Shadeism. Is that when things started to evolve for you?

Sharon: I think when you live in Black skin, particularly when you’re in white majority spaces, you can’t help but be aware of racism. In the past, it’s been something I’ve discussed with family members and friends (of all ethnicities) but not something I spoke publicly about. I guess the publication of Exploring Shadeism was the first step in going public, though I didn’t realize it at the time.

More importantly, the murder of George Floyd made me realize I couldn’t be silent any longer. It was such a painful and polarizing moment, which underlined how risky it can be to be Black in the US. However, I’m not letting other countries off the hook. I’ve experienced anti-Black racism in many countries, and the effects of internalized racism (a dubious post-colonial legacy) in the Caribbean.

Q: What areas of work, life, etc. do you think need the most work in order to bring about change?

Sharon: That is a tough question, because systemic racism permeates everything. Implicit bias is everywhere. Once you start looking, you can’t unsee it.

What I do know is that this isn’t an issue Black people can solve alone. White anti-racists have to do their part, and there’s a heck of a lot of work to do to change systems and make them more equitable.

One step is to remove  biases from the hiring and promotion processes so you get diversity throughout organizations and companies. But you also have to make those spaces safe for Black, Indigenous and people of color otherwise we’ll never get anywhere. I’m not an expert on this part, but that’s one place I’d start if it were up to me.

The other thing to do is to educate people, especially young people. I’ve created a six-week anti-racism course for kids, which is going well so far.

Q: There are going to be haters. How do you handle them?

Sharon: Yeah, there are always a few haters on social media. Most of the time they’re determined to misunderstand and they’re not open-minded, so I don’t waste oxygen or typing time on them. I’m talking to the people who want to learn and can be persuaded about other views.

Q: Where do you see anti-racism taking your business?

Sharon: In the near future, I think it will BE my business. I’m going to continue producing the anti-racism newsletter and I hope enough people will pay to support it so I can spend a couple days a week on it, rather than fitting it in where I can. And I plan to keep teaching.

The only thing I don’t know is what emotional toll it might take. It’s not always easy to immerse yourself in anti-racism work day in, day out. But I’m clear in my mind that it’s what I’m meant to do, so I’ll carry on.

Q: How should writers be addressing anti-racism in their own orbits? What are some key things they should consider?

Sharon: So many things. This interview is one example, Lori. Those who have platforms can share space with BIPOC writers to help them reach new audiences.

We have to do the sometimes difficult work of calling out racism and injustice when we see it happening around us.

Consider using diverse sources for your articles – there’s a site called People of Color Also Know Stuff that’s good for that.

If you’re in charge of selecting images for your articles, use diverse images. It can be tricky to find the right ones, but it’s not impossible – Nappy.co has lots.

Finally, check the stance of the people you work with – if possible, prioritize those that are actually DOING something about equity, rather than just talking about it.

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Writers, maybe your journey toward ending systemic racism starts here, or maybe it started somewhere else. Please don’t let it end here. It is something we should be carrying forward — and frankly, paying attention to — in every interaction and encounter we have.

Writers, where have you seen or experienced racism in any form in your own lives?
What are you doing/have you done to address racism in your orbit?