Hey Nerds,

Strap in, because this is a long post.

There’s a Spanish proverb that goes like this, “A wise man changes his mind, a fool never will.”

When I started Nerd Meets World, I wanted to keep information about me, the Head Nerd, scant. This wasn’t because of my privacy or I didn’t want you to know about me. The intent was to keep this about nerdery. If you knew I am a woman, you may not take my nerdy takes on sports or beer seriously. Or maybe you would think this was meant just for women, which it isn’t. This is meant as nerdy takes on all manners of things: travel, life hacks, past experiences, and current events, just to name a few.

But with current events, I realized that complete anonymity is not something I cannot afford anymore. Black lives are lost at a disproportionate rate in America.

Number of Deaths per 100,000 Population by Race/Ethnicity (2018)
United States White: 725.4 Black: 852.9 Other: 420.2
Source: www.KFF.org (click here)

In America, there are more Black deaths per 100,000 population by race than any other race. That’s a 14% increase over the next largest group. And if you’re wondering if the “sample size” impacts these numbers, let’s take a look the breakdown of US population by race:

  • White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: 60.4%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 18.3%
  • Black or African American alone: 13.4%
  • Asian alone: 5.9%
  • Two or More Races: 2.7%
  • American Indian and Alaska Native alone: 1.3%
  • Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone: 0.2%

The Black or African American segment of these stats is significant and enough so to dispel any doubt as to “sampling.” I don’t use these terms “sampling” and “sample size” to dehumanize deaths. Instead, I’m trying to make a logical argument that Black Americans die at disproportionate rates in general. Then you look at the disproportionate number of deaths by police.

Source: https://www.statista.com/chart/21872/map-of-police-violence-against-black-americans/

Two and a half times more likely? Two and a half times. Let that sink in.

So with protests across America and Black Americans laying their emotions, anger, fear, and lives before us, I realized it was time for me to work on something that I have failed at up until this point. I am a terrible ally.

First things first: I am a straight, white, educated, employed (at least at the time of publishing), Christian, home-owning female and a significant amount privilege comes with that. I grew up with a father who served in the United States ARMY and a mother who educated. We moved several times before we were stationed at Fort Bliss, where my parents raised my sister and me in El Paso. They imparted a strong love of country, adaptability to change, and the necessity of inclusion. It’s hard to make friends when you immediately start off with a smaller pool. I attended public schools in a school district that is predominantly Hispanic. In 2007, which is admittedly several years after I graduated, my school district was 92.7% Hispanic, 4.6% White (Not Hispanic), 1.6% African American, and less than 1% American Indian and Asian/Pacific, respectively. Then I left El Paso and attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth for my undergraduate and graduate degrees. While TCU has made strides towards creating a more diverse student body, I will readily admit that when I attended TCU many students looked more like me than not.

I was at TCU for 6 years between 1998 and 2008.

Progress made? Yes. But we’re still talking just 23% of the student body in 2017 was what TCU calls “students of color.” Not exactly a mirror of our national population. (There is very recently an open letter to TCU by 2013 graduate, Jonathan Lin Davis. “Chancellor Boschini, I am calling on you to come out, publicly, in solidarity and support for #BlackLivesMatter. Then, show us, with your actions, that you mean it.” <—Amen.)

I am a huge TCU fan. Multi-sport season ticket holder? Check. Live roughly a mile from the university? Check. Decorate mostly in TCU memorabilia? Check. Member of the Frog Club and the Clark Society? Check. Met my Nerd Partner for Life there? Check. It was my love of TCU sports that really flipped the switch. If I can root for TCU athletes, so many of which are Black athletes, and not have the balls to come out and say that their lives matter then I’m not a good fan. I’m a shitty fan and a shitty person. So it was enough. I finally said something publicly on my personal Twitter that Black Lives Matter and posed a question of Facebook to open dialogue, because posting something on Twitter felt bare minimum. It bordered on lip service and nothing more. And I am using what I learned to put together a working resource for anyone who wants to learn with me. So let’s do this.

Step 1: LISTEN

I know that the first inclination is to jump out there and make your voice heard. But like any crisis, knowledge and expertise lives with those who are on the ground and living the situation. I am no expert on racial injustice because I have not lived it. Find Black voices to listen to and learn from. Friends are a great place to start. I had a really genuine conversation with a dear friend I met at TCU, but my intent was not to have a discussion on race so much as to catch up with a friend I hadn’t seen since March. Our mutual regard and respect for one another took us to discuss race and social injustice and I wouldn’t have dreamed of forcing that conversation on him now. As a friend put it on Facebook, stay respectful of other’s emotional labor. Instead, social media is a major resource if you can dig through the noise. To help, try this amazing list:

Black Lives Matter: Accounts you need to follow and learn from by Bonnie Evie Gifford

Step 2: CONSUME

There are SO many resources out there for you to consume and educate yourself. This is where I personally have the most room to grow and make headway. The country is opening back up, but if you’re like me you may still spend a significant amount of time at home rather out and about. (Honestly, I’m not really leaving the house. I’ve gone to the pharmacy twice, ran some pick-up errands, had my car inspected, and work from home every day. Apart from my walks around TCU parking lots, we stay home. My asthma and autoimmune issues make me incredibly weary of the world reopening too quickly. That’s my personal hot take, do with it what you will.) With that extra time at home, you can pick up a book, download a podcast, or Netflix and learn. (Not quite the same cool sound as “Netflix and chill” but DO IT.)

READ

**Head Nerd has READ
*Head Nerd is CURRENTLY READING

LISTEN

**Head Nerd has LISTENED
*Head Nerd is CURRENTLY LISTENING

WATCH

**Head Nerd has WATCHED
*Head Nerd is CURRENTLY WATCHING

A BIG shout-out to the Instagram accounts Working Momkind and Jane Mount for their posts that helped guide my lists.

Step 3: GET INVOLVED

Getting involved is the most visible way to support as an ally. From Lindsay Young on Twitter:

Find YOUR lane and drive.

Please don’t think that to support Black lives that you have to throw yourself into everything. Find what is within your means, resources, and skills and then lean in hard. I’m currently not in a position to donate a significant amount of money, but for my birthday this month I set up a Facebook fundraiser to support the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. While I could give $10, together with my friends and family we’ve raised $420 in five days. I’ve provided a list below of resources or ideas of ways you can get involved and continue to help fight this fight as an ally.

Step 4: Protest

Fun Fact: Protesting is a constitutionally protected right, both by the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.” The Texas Constitution, in Article I, sections 8 and 27 protects the “liberty to speak, write or publish … opinions on any subject,” and “the right … to assemble. Protesting is truly American and Texan.

Peaceful protests in solidarity with Black Americans have popped up all across the United States. In fact, protests have taken place in ALL FIFTY STATES. Just look at this map. If you’re looking to head out and lend your support, take the time to read up on protesting tips.

View this post on Instagram

BE SAFE. Here’s our guide on being prepared for safe protests. PLEASE READ ⬇️ . 1. LOOK OUT FOR THINGS THAT DON’T SEEM RIGHT. There are increasing reports and investigations that white supremacists may be infiltrating these protests, breaking windows and destroying property. If anything seems off to you, DOCUMENT IT. Always check who is organizing. . 2. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF GRASSROOTS BLACK ORGANIZERS. They have been at this a long time and are disciplined in the ropes of community organizing and demonstration. It IS a discipline. Follow trusted leaders whose goal has been the focused pursuit of justice. If they just showed up, that’s a red flag. . 3. HAVE A BUDDY. Make sure someone is keeping an eye on you and check in on them. . 4. STAY SAFE and take care of each other. 💜

A post shared by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@aoc) on

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for sticking with me. This is a scratch on the surface of how to grow yourself as an ally, written by a self-professed novice. I have much to read. I have much to learn. But as my Reverend Doctor sister said in a recent sermon, I will remain humble and courageous. Humble enough to admit my failures and deficiencies. Courageous enough to improve myself and to make my position clear. And I will do that now.

Black Lives Matter.

If this statement is in any way controversial for you, remember saying Black Lives Matter doesn’t mean other lives don’t matter. Of course they do. Black Lives Matter means that right now, across America, Black lives are in danger and they need this moment. They need your support.

And if saying Black Lives Matter is a deal breaker for you, then this nerd doesn’t need your support.

Humbly,
Head Nerd

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