How to #ShareTheWork
by Bailey McCafferty
Last Chrismas, I asked for Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It’s a brilliantly-written letter-turned-book originally composed for Coates’ adolescent son. In this letter, Coates writes about living in America as a Black male. He dives deep into the racial systems of oppression in the United States, and contemplates if one can really free themselves from the white supremacy that plagues this country. Reading this book, it was difficult for me to relate. I am not a man. I am not someone’s son. I am not Black.
That’s exactly the point.
As the saying goes, “you will never truly understand something until it affects you.” This saying, however, has a fatal flaw—there are many things that each one of us will never experience. It’s extremely unlikely that I will ever experience police brutality, work discrimination, and other forms of harassment and discrimination solely because of my race. Many other Americans can’t say the same.
This week’s genEquality activation is #ShareTheWork. #ShareTheWork doesn’t just encompass responsibilities at home, like sharing chores and caregiving equally, although this is incredibly important. #ShareTheWork also extends to our other responsibilities in other important aspects of life, like actively fighting injustice and promoting anti-sexism, anti-racism, and anti-homophobia.
It is never the job of the oppressed to educate others. This week—and every week—take it upon yourself to learn about injustices that don’t affect you personally. Never quite understood the racial achievement gap in schools? You can learn more here. Not sure why microaggressions are so bad? Read an article like this one. Don’t know a lot about the LGBTQ+ experience? Here’s a list of books to get you started.
It is easy to be unaware of issues that don’t hurt you. It is easy to avoid a topic because you can’t relate. Trust me, I’ve been there before. Growing up in a predominantly white suburban town, it was easy to avoid speaking up against racial injustices because they didn’t seem to affect the people around me. But I’ve learned that what’s right isn’t always easy, and I’m no longer staying silent.
So, white people, straight people, men, and other allies—join me. It’s on all of us not just to read and learn, but to do. We have a large role to play in following the lead of others. We have to #ShareTheWork. Now is the time to start listening to others’ experiences, learning about the history behind those experiences, and lifting others up by joining their fight for equality.
Donate to a local non-profit or bail fund. Call out your friends and family who use racist, sexist, or homophobic language. Sign petitions and send emails to push justice for Breonna Taylor, Oluwatoyin Salau, Tony McDade, and the countless other Black, LGBTQ+, and/or female victims of police brutality and negligence. And finally, stay tuned for more activation-based actions you can take later this week.
#ShareTheWork, today and always.