This article goes out to the social justice warriors, the people of color, the marginalized peoples across the country and globe. This goes out to those people whose mission of a freer world devoid of structural and social hatred is the reason that they get up in the morning. This article is to remind y'all that it isn't your responsibility to change the minds and change the hearts of people who are antithetical to our causes.
You do not need to take it upon yourself to spend countless hours typing a response to a provoking comment, you do not need to drain yourself having a conversation with people who do not listen with open ears. You are not anyone's teacher. You are not anyone's professor. You are for your people and for yourself, those are who you should be looking out for, not for the ignorance of others. There isn't enough energy nor time for us to be focusing on anything other than our struggles for equality. Instead of focusing on them, we need to practice self-care and community care and make sure that we are where we need to be mentally, emotionally, and physically because ultimately we are all we have. To some this might look like quitting or allowing those ignorant people to win, but an instance during which you are able to practice self-care in this world that doesn't want you to do so is a victory in itself.
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This is so important given the recent turn of events, the road ahead of us isn't an easy one. We need to make sure that we take a break today so that we may break oppression tomorrow. We must be ready and willing to pick each other up as we go down this winding road into the future. It is critical that we acknowledge that not everyone is going to understand, and that not everyone is going to want to understand and that is okay. There are those even who want to understand, are willing to understand, and expect to fully understand but never will. These people expect you to tell them and inform them about your entire existence as a marginalized person. As well intended as they may be, you are under no obligation whatsoever to do so. Do not allow them to tokenize your experience, and do not allow yourself to be tokenized. Your experience is for your use only.
For people who hold social justice close to their heart, passion and energy aren't things that are too far off. All we have to do is think about our mission and we are ready and motivated. However, this energy does have a limit and isn't infinite. We must realize this and we must take the necessary steps to prevent ourselves from burning out. We must also realize that we aren't getting paid ANYTHING by educating, or attempting to educate, those who do not sympathize nor want to sympathize with our causes. The only thing that comes out of that is exhaustion which we already get enough of fighting institutionalized discrimination.
Just remember we ain't teachers.
