By Erianna Jiles at YR Media
Within days of George Floyd’s death in May last year, I questioned everything I knew about racism and police brutality. I knew it was time I start taking my own activism more seriously.
Looking back, I thought the work would be simple. I was down to have all the uncomfortable conversations and educate the White folks around me any chance I got. In my classes, the space felt safe enough to talk about these things, and I spoke up. Even when I knew it would make my White peers uncomfortable.
But when it came to my White roommates, I didn’t want to rock the boat since I’m the only person of color in the house. I knew we were all on the same page politically, but personally we couldn’t make the connection with each other. For many months now, I’ve wanted to talk openly with them. However, I hate being in the position to start the dialogue first. I also feel like once I open up with them, it’ll make my living situation more uncomfortable than it already is.
