Well, that wasn’t so bad

It’s been a week since I “went public” with my blog and I want to follow up on my “Why So Shy” post, where I explained how uncomfortable it felt to put this out there, but concluded with my understanding that racism was more important that my discomfort.

Well it’s funny, because I don’t feel shy anymore.

I can’t really remember why I did in the first place. I remember feeling sick when my much-respected friend shared my blog on her social media feed, and at the same time so pleased and encouraged that my invitation to join the conversation about race was getting out there.

Since then I’ve received such words of encouragement and such support from friends, old and new, that I’m quite emotional about what a positive start my blogging journey has had.

Firstly, I must say a big thank you to everyone who has visited my blog, commented on it and shared it. I can’t tell you how encouraging it is to know that people want to engage in the subject of race. It’s not easy. It’s not comfortable. But it is important. That’s why I’m here and why it means so much to me that you’re all here with me.

People’s honesty has made me feel truly humbled. Friends have shared with me their own sense of white privilege, the experiences they’ve had in their own families, their frustration at not knowing how to respond to racism in their social circles, and their commitment to learning more about a subject they didn’t realise was so relevant before. Friends have shared book recommendations, forwarded podcasts, dropped research pieces off, and most of all, have chatted with me and amongst their own friends and colleagues.

This honesty has been so, so important to hear. It makes me feel proud to be doing this work and sharing it with you. This learning and these conversations can genuinely make a difference in society.

Someone asked me how I found the time to do it, and we talked about how doing something you love brings you energy. It brings you more energy for the things you love and world you live in.

So I have no trouble finding the time.

Reading has always been a way of life for me, that’s not changed, it’s just taken a different angle – I’m reading more non-fiction and I’m seeking out amazing authors I wouldn’t have had the pleasure to get to know before.

Writing is now a regular pleasure. It’s a way for me to filter and organise my thoughts, which are racing with everything I’m learning and sizzling with my need to make a difference in society. Posting on my blog is starting to feel like chatting with a group of interesting ad interested friends. And when I sit at my laptop with some time and a chance to focus, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

So thanks to all of you.

Don’t forget that I love to hear from you. No question’s a stupid question, no comment will go unheard. Let’s keep the conversation going.