True Colors

“King tells us that "the end is reconciliation, the end is redemption, the end is the creation of the beloved community." The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others. That action is the testimony of love as the practice of freedom.” P. 5 of “Love as the Practice of Freedom” by Bell Hooks

The first panel at the “Racism and anti-Semitism” conference (at Bard College) spoke a lot about how black people react to racism/microaggressions. They found reactions of strength versus victimization was much more effective. One of the speakers, Jacqui, was told by her mother that racist remarks and behavior she encountered was stupid. I relate this to the reading in that being yourself in the face of racism is love. Love to yourself and others against you gains you the path to freedom. Being black and loving yourself is one of the strongest things you can be in the face of whitewashing and POC identity erasure. “to act in the ways that liberate ourselves,”(“Love as the Practice of Freedom” by Bell Hooks).