Our Stance on Neutrality
or, how we unsubscribe from neutrality when discussing
issues relating to human rights & injustices.
On Neutrality
From the conversations we had about ensuring a safer space, both on our grid and within our team, we realized we didn't want to code-switch or side with oppressors. We wanted to be the change we wish to see in the world. The truth is that neutrality has been considered 'fair' and 'academic' for far too long, so when we came across a post by @the_rebelllious_history_teacher we adapted (with permission) it into our stucture below.
We've all heard things like:
'share both sides'
'don't tell people where you stand on issues'
'don't discuss politics'
'stay neutral'
'keep opinions to yourself'
'just stick to the facts
'be unbiased'
'it's not our place to tell people what to think'
'that topic is too polarizing'
'difference of opinions'
'watch your tone'
Why Neutrality is Harmful
BIPOC people are expected to sympathize with their oppressors/the oppressor of their ancestors in an attempt to 'consider both sides'.
People are literally dying because of the colour of their skin, their sexuality and/or identity, and we have to present material critically to invite people into the discourse.
Neutrality is often code for 'let's gaslight people into thinking systemic issues doesn't exist'.
White terrorist acts such as land theft, genocide, and enslavement are sugar-coated, romanticized or ignored completely - both historically and present-day impact.
People miss out on valuable life lessons about what justice, empathy, and community look like in action.
Facts and figures become more important than the human stories behind the names and dates.
Neutrality acts as a smokescreen that prevents people from realizing that everything is already centered in whiteness. This doesn't mean all white people are bad, but rather that white supremacy is foundational in our system and structures.
Failing to publically condemn white supremacy makes people of colour consciously and/or subconsciously feel unsafe. One way this presents is with code-switching
People think neutral is 'fair' and that fair and equitable mean the same thing.
Marginalized and/or vulnerable people don't genuinely feel cared for, seen, or accepted.
Where this leaves us?
We aren't coming to you as experts in a particular area, but rather as peers learning alongside you (and showing our work via our grid).
A collectivist mindset is intrinsic to our WOC-founded organization, so hearing, amplifying, and collaborating with community is woven throughout our organization.
We are big fans of the Maya Angelou quote, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." Perfection is a myth, and mistakes are inevitable. We openly own ours, and internally debrief them, striving to know and do better. When mistakes happen we hope you, our community, call us in (instead of call us out) and compassionately challenge us to do better.
We will always be evidence-informed, but still bring our compassionate, critical, and conversational tone to what we share.
We take a trauma and equity informed process to our work to get the perspectives of both our diverse team and our growing list of content advisors. Whenever possible, we work to collaborate with people who have direct lived experience. As we shift into a social enterprise structure, we hope to always flow resources back into these communities and creators.
Where this leaves you
We can't express how exciting it is to have all of you as members of our community!
Much like members of any community, sometimes we won't agree on stuff. We're okay with that, and we hope you will be too. We hope you compassionately challenge us to understand things differently if you believe what we're sharing is incorrect, and we hope that you understand that while we will read and listen to everything you say, that we get to decide how we approach issues and our stance on stuff.
We hope if we approach it this way, we can create an account that listens as much as it shares content and is reflective of our community. We want to work together, with you, to demand better of Canada, for Canada.
Think of us as an informed friend who is committed to bringing you critical, credible, and compassionate information on issues impacting Canadians.
