Dear White Santa

NOW THAT WE can say “Merry Christmas” again (Did we forget to thank you for this? Thanks. No, really. Thanks a lot.), I wanted to cut to the chase with my wish list this year. It’s short.

I would like a white people intervention. Please get as many white Christians—progressive and evangelical—in the same room for a cleansing flood of white tears, some deep breathing and healing prayer, and time to plan to dismantle white supremacy. As just one of several million Asian Americans, I can only do so much to keep educating white people about the system their ancestors—who did or did not enslave people or benefit from slavery (by the way, all Americans who aren’t African American benefitted from the evil of slavery)—created and continued to adapt and adopt.

Maybe you could call the Thanksgiving Turkey and take a roll call of how many white people had tough conversations around the turkey and dressing about how divided this country is? Find out how many stayed for dessert and coffee and argued with the racist uncle or ignorant cousin? Make a list and check it twice for the white people who don’t just talk a good talk on social media, or at progressive conferences that talk about race and justice, but also speak truth to their white siblings, parents, and holiday guests? Could you do that for me?

We are getting close to the one-year mark of the inauguration, and I think being grateful that we haven’t entered into a war is too low of a bar. This intervention is for the white people who think they get it more than the other white people. I will leave it up to you to decide who is who. Black and brown people are still dying for being black and brown. Immigrants of color, documented and undocumented, are being reminded we are not American (code for white) enough. LGBTQ rights and protections are being chipped away and threatened, and those most often at risk of bodily harm are LGBTQ folks of color. It doesn’t seem to matter what year it is. 2017? 2018?

White Santa, I’m sure you know this, but it bears repeating. White people still hold so much of the power, stand as the gatekeepers, and run the show in politics, government, faith-based organizations, and the church. This woman of color is tired of being on their panels and in their conversations. I’m sometimes tired of having the honor and privilege of writing for their publications. (By the way, for the three most recent faith-based publications—one evangelical and two more progressive—all three of my editorial contacts are ... wait for it ... white.) My appearance does not level the playing field. My presence adds a single Korean American immigrant woman to their long list of leaders. Please tell them to talk it out, speak truth to each other, and console each other through moments of fragility and guilt. And then figure out how many of them are going to step down and go to white privilege rehab.

Thank you.