The anger is legitimate. I am trying.

Matilda,
Australia.

When people of colour direct anger at white people – at me – I used to be defensive. I’ve learnt a lot since then. The anger is legitimate. I no longer respond with, “But I’m not a racist,” or “Not all white people are like that.” I listen, I remember, and I try to learn. I want to do everything I can to amplify, not silence, the voices of those who have been dehumanised and oppressed by a society that privileges whiteness. I want to do everything that I can to be an assistance, not another barrier, to breaking down and speaking against racism. Sometimes it means speaking out – perhaps more importantly, it also means staying silent so that other people can be heard.