5 Things You Don't HAVE to Do After Racial Trauma Occurs

Between this week’s shootings in California and the release of Tyre Nichols’ murder, there is a lot to process.

I would encourage you during times like this to give yourself space.

For those of you who see yourself in the victims, here are 5 things you don't have to do right now.

1. You don't have to watch the video.

2. You don't have to post about it.

3. You don't have to engage in conversation with certain people. 

4. You don't have to educate others.

5. You don't have to become a token representative.

DON'T RUSH THE PROCESS

If and when you're ready, you're free to do any of the things on this list. But do it because you want to, and not out of perceived pressure from others.

Moments like this create secondary trauma. We often don't have the luxury of grieving one event before another one occurs. Don't deepen your wounds by jumping into something you're not ready for.

For those of you who see what’s happening, but don’t belong to the involved communities, keep learning and listening. If someone has a platform already created for these conversations learn from them. Don’t hound your friends who have not indicated they’re ready to talk about this.

If you’re ready to start learning but aren’t sure where to start, follow along with me. This is what my space is for. Leave a comment, send me a message, or join the book club.

We live in a society where racism is so systemically internalized, we can’t run from it. But we can learn from it. We can heal from it. And we can change it.