White supremacists 'swatted' my home to silence me. I will not be silent. by Ijeoma Oluo

Please Read Ijeoma Oluo' Essay in The Guardian Here 

To be clear from the start, I don’t personally know or have any relationship with Ijeoma Oluo.  But reading her article just made me say, enough! 

If white supremacist trolls can anonymously threaten, attack and “swat” someone to silence them, then basic, decent people can certainly anonymously support that same person so they can keep using their voice. 

Just imagine  -  what if every time a white supremacist troll threatened or attacked someone, others in the community came together to pour out support for that person.  Those trolls would soon learn their cowardly attempts to intimidate and silence people working for justice and equity would backfire.  More people would learn about the good work of the targeted person and their voice and impact would actually grow not diminish!

So, like Ijeoma, let us say in unison

“To those who really, really want (her) to shut up:

Nah.”

Please join me in supporting Ijeoma Oluo in all that she is doing to work for a more just and equitable world.  All donations will go directly to Ijeoma.

Let’s silence the trolls, instead of them silencing others.

Any amount will be greatly appreciated and have a positive impact on toning down the hate and fear and replacing them with love and support.

THANK YOU!


Clarifying Update

First of all, thank you so much for your interest and engagement around this issue.

 Based on some questions and feedback, I want to clarify that this is about more than just donating money.

It is about:

1) Amplifying Voices that are trying to be silenced.

Start conversations with your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, congregations, local newspapers, etc.  -  about Ijeoma’s book  “So You Want to Talk About Race;”  the Guardian article or this response to it;  Ijeoma or other social activists other articles, posts or blogs; any other voice that is being silenced . . .

2) Amplifying the Impact of those voices

Take positive action.  Become active in any social justice movement.  Start your own blog, write your own articles, etc.  Get involved in ways small and large.  Do something.

3) Providing a positive alternative to responding to hate and fear.

Tap into you own sense of love, compassion and support instead of responding with hopelessness, anger, fear or hate.

4) Starting a Movement  (Heck, why not)

Connect some big social influencers with this!  Maybe groups or communities create endowment funds/support systems for anyone who is threatened by trolls or extremists.  Ultimately it is about taking away the power of threats and intimidation from those who are using them to try and silence others.

I know you are already doing many of the above.  Thank you!

This is just one more pebble in the pond, adding to all the positive work already being done.  We are making a difference.