As an introvert and 5 myself, it’s heartening to hear the echo that we all have to figure out our best, most effective, and most sustainable contribution. And that’s going to look alittle different for everyone.

I refuse to quit or back down from standing up for justice. I just have to find best ways to do that for me. So thank you for making that feel ok.

My Mom was ahead of her time in that when my sisters and I were growing up in the 60s/70s she relentlessly educated us about the unearned privilege we were granted by society simply for being born white — and — how countless people were denied the privileges we enjoyed simply because they were brown / black / any color but white. In spite of lifelong awareness of my privilege, I am currently ruthlessly examining my views and thoughts for any racism I may be unaware of in myself so that I can root it out.

A recent serious knee injury has kept me from attending protests and marches, however, I’ve pledged long-term ongoing financial donations to several organizations that are on the front lines. That’s what I can contribute at this time, but when I’m able, I’ll do more. I’m a big fan of individual approaches to change — change is certainly a multi-faceted challenge, so definitely requires numerous approaches to make happen. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this is the juncture in history when racism is defeated and that we get to see racism vanquished! Though the road ahead is sure to be bumpy, I’m in it for the long haul.

So I can’t imagine what it must be like to feel like we felt for those 16 years forever. I get panicky when I go into my memories of that period. How do Black people take it? That constant fear? It makes me go goosebumps all over.

Besides other more concrete actions, I’ve unsubscribed from loads of designers, shops and blogs over the last week. I will not buy or follow anyone American who doesn’t have the decency to acknowledge what is going on in your country. And I’ve told them why. I hope others do the same.