Having a child of colour in this country is a big responsibility, it is more than being a mum. A white mum of a brown child must learn so much, they must constantly navigate being a permanent ally in a world they do not fully understand. They need to teach their child how to be brown when they themselves are not, all the while learning from the very children they are teaching.
So, 2 weeks ago I wake up with an idea. Why don’t I invite authors to come and eat with us at the supper club? I get very excited about this idea; I mean really excited. The main reason for this is that if an author comes to supper club, we would be able to pay them because supper club is so successful it actually makes a profit.
By safe I don’t just mean free from physical violence (although that is of course important) I mean safe to be themselves. No need to code switch, no worries about micro aggressions, not thinking that their gestures or tone may be misconstrued.
I was afraid. In fact, I questioned her and said I wasn’t sure it was the right thing to post (something I have never done before). She said “This is who you are, don’t be scared”
"Men are allowed to be angry as a performance of masculinity. White women are allowed to be angry as a clarion call. So black women should be encouraged to express their anger as well, particularly in the face of injustice."