With Colin Kaepernick taking a knee and Black Lives Matter taking the streets, I am now taking a stand. And if you agree with what I share below, you can take a stand with me too.
The circumstances that brought about this response surround a meeting I attended, in which I was the only African American-ish person in attendance. In the course of that meeting, my colleagues all shared their delight over their recent experience with two of the leaders of the BLM movement.
And...
....wait for it.
..how articulate they were.
Right?
In that marginalizing moment, the thought occurred to me: in their limited exposure to African Americans, how many of their interactions have been with inarticulate members of my tribe? Without revealing too much, I will say I am employed at a top tier research institution; one in fact, where people of all races and backgrounds have degrees in subjects I can barely pronounce, let alone understand. While rare, it is hardly unusual for me to interact with colored folk who are at minimum 'articulate' let alone brilliantly pedigreed.
So now what?
Once the anger, frustration, and despair burned off from this experience the residual was sadness.
I am haunted and burdened with the notion that no matter how hard I work, how pedigreed I become, how well I play with others, I am still going to be seen as either an outlier or worse, 'less than.'
However, I choose to not get sucked into the undertow of despair. Instead, I am going to do something about it.
And today, I announce that from now on, every piece of written correspondence, from new school electronic to old skool pen and paper, I will sign off with a simple, eloquent: "Articulately yours" (or simply "Articulately" in the event I need to be a bit more formal) And I invite you to do the same.
Why?
Well, the time is nigh to end this persistent, ridiculous problem, and claim our seat at every table at which we are invited to sit. (Granted, after this blog, I may find that I receive fewer invitations.)
But no matter...
This visual reminder will serve as a tool to help raise awareness of the fact that WE (brown, marginalized, folk) are ARTICULATE. And that it is insulting to think otherwise...
And white allies, we need you to also get involved. Your participation will serve as your own visual aid to work a little harder and encourage your community to do the same.
I hope this small act of civil disobedience helps at least one person out there find their voice because I know you're there.
Articulately yours,
-Y
