Writing Challenge Tuesday: Heroes

The last couple of weeks have been difficult to watch unfold. There’s been a lot of incredibly charged stuff in the media that I want to comment on, that I want to offer help where I can, but I’m not sure how best to. I’m in a privileged position; I’m a white guy with a relatively comfortable life. I can’t go out and protect people, but I can say what I think is right, and I can stick up for others when they’re under attack.

I’ve gotten my share of flak over the years for being a white knight, for championing a cause, for speaking up when I could’ve kept my mouth shut. I’ve told friends that a rape joke wasn’t all that funny to me, or I’ve said I see no problem with an adult male watching any show they like, no matter how ostensibly “feminine.” If that makes me a deluded white knight, I’m okay with that. Because to me, either I’m a feminist and an ally, or I’m not, and that doesn’t go away just because someone makes me feel challenged or uncomfortable.

Some of my biggest heroes in this arena (as I’ve mentioned before) are people like Jim Hines, Chuck Wendig, and Greg Rucka. I’m still sorting out this whole “putting my public face on” stuff since I’m not used to having one. However, those are people I hope to be like. 

All that in mind, I wanted to say this: The racial disparity and problems with police violence in this country are out of control, and I can’t adequately encompass all the nuance. It’s not mine to do and I’m not going to quote anyone out of context. Instead, I wanted to give the podium to some of the better speakers out there on the topic. 

Please, instead of a writing challenge this week, take a moment to visit some of these videos or articles. 
Ill Doctrine - Jay Smooth
Hypocrisy, Race and Literary Gentrification - Foz Meadows
Jesse Williams on Race Relations in America