Crazy Jesus Love: 3 Ways White People Can Love Our Black Friends

3 Ways White People Can Love Our Black Friends

1.a Get educated on racism…

If we are really going to love our brothers and sisters in a truly selfless way, we’ll have to get uncomfortable. That means taking a good hard look at how our own privilege operates in our daily lives and negatively impacts our black brethren. Look — I get you didn’t opt for this. You don’t want to think you benefit from racism every day. I don’t like it either, but the fact that I don’t like it doesn’t make it untrue.

It’s important to understand a few basics, like the fact that Black people can’t be racist. Yes, they can be bigoted assholes, or even just general assholes, but they can not be racist. Understanding that racism is an institutionalized and systemic issue that affects a population will go a long way to helping you understand how white privilege works.

Feeling a little defensive or uncomfortable? That might be your white frailty at work. It’s a thing, and it’s hard to swallow, but recognizing how it might work in White / Black dynamics is important. 

Finally, understanding why it’s really not okay to say “All Lives Matter” or “Blue Lives Matter” in response to Black Lives Matter will go a long way in showing love to our black friends.