From the Book of Becky, Chapter 20: 2-17 | HuffPost - Action News
Home WebMail Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 12:47 AM | Calgary | 1.1°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Posted: 2017-04-18T18:36:53Z | Updated: 2017-04-18T18:39:26Z From the Book of Becky, Chapter 20: 2-17 | HuffPost

From the Book of Becky, Chapter 20: 2-17

From the Book of Becky, Chapter 20: 2-17
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
Open Image Modal

1. Thou shalt not rage against the patriarchy while staying silent on white supremacy.

Yes, we know you are a minority. No, you don't get a pass on participating in racism because you are a woman. Therefore, Becky is your name until further notice.

2. Thou shalt not idolize other Beckies.

Taylor Swift doesn't get a pass. Lena Dunham even doesn't want one. The list goes on and on but remember, people like these will not lead you down the path of earning your name back.

3. Thou shalt not call cornrows "boxer braids..."

...and no, they aren't "mini-buns," either. And Vogue, Karlie Kloss wearing Timberlands with jeans is not a "fresh, new spring shoe-idea." Kylie Jenner didn't just "yassss, hon-tey, slaaaay" in whatever she wore to Coachella, either.

4. Remember, everyday, that it is not a requirement that people of color hold your hand and walk you through understanding racism.

Its your job, and most of the time, it requires nothing but a web browser. Last time I checked, Google had a special of 0% down, 0% interest and $0 in payments for 0 months. However, if you do need your hand held, don't require them to police their language to spare your feelings. Nope. Not in 2017.

5. Honor your mother and your father, except when they are using racial slurs at Thanksgiving dinner.

That goes for your grandma and your cousin Joe, too. You may just think their casual racism is just family being family, but when they are spewing their hatred within earshot of the next generation, they are doing more than just being "family." They are continuing a cycle that is harmful to minorities.

6. Thou shalt not participate in the erasure of the heritage of any person by claiming to be "colorblind."

This is still one of the worst excuses for ignoring racism. I like my color...damnit.

7. Thou shalt not cheat yourself out of a chance to have relationships with people of color because you assumed something about them.

I'm not angry, most of the time. No, I don't listen to much rap. No, you many not touch my hair, but we can still be friends.

8. Thou shalt not steal elements of another's culture in an effort to be "trendy."

No, you cannot have an afro. End of story.

9. Thou shalt not lie about having [insert race here] friends.

Having black friends doesn't make you immune to being anti-black. Ted Bundy had a fianc who he didn't kill.

10. Thou shalt not covet other white women who aren't called "Becky."

You see them everywhere and it would seem reasonable for you to covet their positions but remember they have earned their titles, and you still have work to do.

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

Support HuffPost