Amen.

Everything you write makes an impact, Sharon. Thank you. 🙂

I’m also happy to know that the article Cathy cited made an impact.

Mary, totally appalling that this happens, isn’t it? It’s like touching any part of a person’s body without permission — some would get you slapped, others fired or up on assault charges.

A friend of mine whom I’ve known for 20 years opened up to me recently about what it’s like for her. She said that back when she first met me, her younger self wasn’t ready for the conversation. She is now. She talked for quite a while as we walked, and it was good. I heard. She spoke and was heard. I can’t ever know what it’s like, but I can listen and support her.

I discovered the same thing in subscribing to Sharon Hurley Hall’s anti-racism newsletter and postings on LinkedIn. Blew my mind. Like you, Mary, I simply cannot imagine an adult (apparently in age only) touching a colleague’s hair (because, yes, I discovered, it happens in the workplace). *Head slap*

Thank you for this, Lori. Sharon and the writers she has introduced us to in her newsletter have been such an eye-opener for me. Like you, I am ashamed I haven’t spoken up more often – no, correct that – each and every time I have observed racist behavior. Sharon also wrote an article that really hit home with me that I am still trying to face the harsh reality of as it applies to me. Here’s a link to===> White Friends, Your Shock at Racism Isn’t Helpful – https://www.antiracismnewsletter.com/p/white-friends-your-shock-at-racism?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxNTQ3ODYxNSwicG9zdF9pZCI6MzkyMTU3NDksIl8iOiJCSFNQTiIsImlhdCI6MTYzMDA5NTc3NiwiZXhwIjoxNjMwMDk5Mzc2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItODY1NzYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.L1i8tMmiCRHOM4A-xU6ZVtmASdmg7aGpkOWiTJCdBR0

As I wrote in a recent post, it’s not that I’m shocked that racism happens but how “acceptable” it has become to spew racist ignorance in such public settings. So, as you said, Lori, each of us need to make it unacceptable and call it out.