Perdita Felicien takes aim at white privilege

Canadian record holder Perdita Felicien addressed the issue of racism on Instagram yesterday, in response to widespread outrage over the death of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis on Monday while being arrested. The officer knelt on Floyd’s neck, and despite Floyd’s pleading that he was in pain and couldn’t breathe, the officer didn’t let up. Floyd died a few minutes later. The story comes only days after Georgia police reopened the case of Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot to death by white vigilantes while on a run in his hometown of Brunswick, Ga. in February.

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Felicien is a former world champion and Canadian record holder in the 100mH. She wrote on Instagram yesterday, “I save the talk of race and politics for forums deeper than social media. I opt for my kitchen table or phone conversations with my husband and other POC (ppl of colour), because these are arenas where I feel safe. But it’s not helping the conversation move forward. So I’m interrupting our perfectly curated feeds right now.”

Felicien points out that many white people wonder what they can do to help, and she shared some suggestions:

Acknowledgment

“You have to admit life is different for people of colour. This video is proof that black bodies are viewed and policed differently. Could you image a non-violent white woman or man with the full weight of a police officer’s body on their neck while they plead for air? It would not happen.

Action

“Speaking to your children as early as possible and throughout their lives about race. If you are an ally you must see colour because our world does. To ignore it is how this continues.

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Educate

“Educate yourself on why minority communities are hurt, outraged by this, why Kap took a knee. Read. Learn. Look up books and authors who break it down. Follow social accounts that make this stuff plain.

Understand

“Understand that speaking about white privilege is not being anti-white. If it makes you feel defensive or fragile, ask yourself why another community asking for equality and justice troubles you.

Challenge

Challenge your racist friends, families and co-workers. Shut down stereotypes and racial slurs, denounce misguided opinions. And if you can’t, don’t smile along.”