#SafetyPin

There has been a lot of handwringing from some quarters in the past few days now that the nation has decided to drive the car off the rails. Too many of our communities are now threatened by the Trump white-lash. Who did this? Who let this happen?

White America is what happened. Call it a Primal Scream. Call it a last gasp of majority and privilege. Call it what it is. It is a victory for the powers of fear and intolerance in the US. Whose fears and intolerance? White America's. That’s who.

The data don’t lie. White Americans of all stripes got together and decided this election. DJT called together an unholy coalition of hate mongers and fear inciters to win this election. I, for one, am disgusted without being shocked. I watched his rallies and know exactly who was there. I grew up with people just like them.

But I am still left dealing with my Whiteness. Maybe this is part of the grieving process, a step on the road to acceptance. But I am still left dealing with my Whiteness. I have to answer for this because I am white. I’m the guy in my circle who has to own up to the privilege and “explain” White people to everyone else. But I am still dealing with my whiteness.

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The First Lesson: We’re all gonna have to take a bite

Welcome to Donald Trump’s USA. I have even found my white male self afraid of groups of young white men in uber liberal Berkeley, CA. That’s the US we live in now. Groups of white kids scaring us because of what they might do. Welcome to TrumpLandia™, its FearTastic®.

But that’s the thing, minorities have been dealing with this phenomenon forever. It’s not even a phenomenon to them. It’s just life. I knew this before the election. But I felt it viscerally for the first time. My stomach has been clenched for five days now. My jaws are taut. I slept about 10 of the first 48 hours after John Podesta sent everyone home from the Javits Center Tuesday night.

So, step up to the plate white liberals. We’re gonna have to take a bite. The white folks own this one fair and square.

Don’t be afraid. Do it honestly and proudly.

And then help us hold the Republican party’s feet to the fire of the Trump Administration. Trump is bringing in every hack we thought we had defeated for the past twenty years. He is Dubya without the personality and penchant for introspection. They own Washington now. Don’t let anyone ever doubt that or try to blame libruls for anything but providing loyal opposition from a minority party.

The Second Lesson: Don’t (unknowingly) perpetuate the system

No matter how woke you are, there are going to be things that get misunderstood.

We are White Americans. That’s our lens. Our frame. Be conscious of microaggressions and whitesplaining. White men, start reading up on Womanist Theology and learn the word iintersectionality. Then start practicing what you learn.

We can’t make any of this about us. To use White Privilege correctly is make yourself be seen next to the things you want to stop. Shout “Fire” in the burning building of our republic. Be loud when you have to draw attention. Because drawing attention is our number one job y’all.

Model civility and respect to your fellow white people. Show them how its done.

The Third Lesson: Safety pins aren’t enough

That’s right. We need to do more. We need to live our principles out loud. That said, if you’re wearing a safety pin because you want to help, you should read this. It is a simple guide to what you need to be ready to do.

Some have claimed that the Safety Pin concept is embarrassing white liberals. And by some, I mean Christopher Keelty over at HuffPo mostly but I have seen the sentiment echoed by people who the effort is aimed to help. It is a tricky situation to navigate yet navigate it we must.

Don’t insert yourself where you are not wanted. You are not Captain America. Not every situation requires your participation. Become okay with that. Respect the spaces you are invited into. Invite others into your space in a spirit of humanity and kindness.

The Fourth Lesson: Moving forward

Don’t just be angry, get organized. it is the only road forward.

Start with How To Coach Confidence In People Who Are Feeling Defeated

And then …