By Dr. Akilah Cadet
White centering is choosing their feelings and comfort over my humanity as a Black person...over the work and efforts for equality and humanity for Black people.
White centering is when a Black person expresses to a white person an action or behavior was harmful to them and the white person quickly becomes defensive instead of learning from the mistake, actively listening and apologizing to the Black person.
White centering is when white people make it about themselves so they do not have to be uncomfortable or hold themselves accountable for their actions of harming, hurting, or ignoring Black people or their feelings or actions towards them. It's making it about themselves instead of support and advocacy for Black lives.
White centering is when a white person makes it about themselves when learning about privilege and/or unwilling to use their privilege to end systemic or institutional racism and oppression. White centering looks like "well what if I lose a client/money," or "what if people say hurtful things about me," or "my friend/partner/kid is Black so I understand," or what will they say when I post/say something in support of Black Lives Matter?"
White centering is a white person who does not want to feel like they do not know the facts, history, or cause for something. They don't want to be wrong in front of a Black person.
White centering is when a white person feels they are losing the very power (upholding values of white supremacy) they have had all their lives, not realizing or caring that all we are asking for is equality and humanity. Black people are not asking for domination or being above/over white people. We just want to live and have the same opportunities as white people.
White centering is a form of privilege meaning the white person does not want to do the work. They want to be comfortable. They don't want to hold themselves accountable. In order for Black Lives to matter white people need to continue to do the work of becoming an ally to start the journey of being an accomplice. Be uncomfortable. Do the work.