But what can I do?

I am a Latina and I want to share what I did this weekend: I called Black colleagues in IBM and personal Black friends to ask two questions:

1. How are you doing?

2. Is there anything I can do to help?

The shortest conversation was 45 minutes. These were emotional and raw.  I did not do the talking. I consoled to the best of my ability. I listened and I asked curious, honest questions.

I started by admitting I can try to empathize with what they are going through. I could never pretend I can fully compare anything I have lived, to what they are going through.  Of course, I have experienced injustice; I grew up in a country where inequity exists, where police are deeply distrusted. But I have never been afraid if I get pulled over by the cops in the United States. I have never had ‘the talk’ with my teenage boys, who are mixed race and their skin is not brown nor black. I have never had to give them instructions on what to do or not to do if the police stop them. I have never had to ask myself: is my son next? Turns out, I have lived in privilege.

These dialogues humbled me. I heard courage, wisdom, despair. Most of all, I learned. I got educated and realized, that as much as I am an ally, an avid reader of diversity topics and a champion of inclusion, I still have a lot to learn. The experience of being Black has similarities to being LatinX in the US, but there are many aspects of being a minority that are unique to each of our constituencies.

If you are hesitating to take action, don't over-complicate it. It is actually this simple:

1. Reach out to someone whose background is different from yours. Just extending a hand is a sign of working towards peace.
2. Make an effort not to allow your preconceptions cloud the conversation. This is not easy, it may take a few tries. Be patient with yourself.
3. Be curious. Ask questions. Listen. Listen. Listen.

One thing was clear: we can be stronger together. We can hold each other when the ground shakes under us.  I learned this growing up in Mexico City, where we had earthquakes quite often. We may not be steady all the time, but we can hold each other's hands, so we don’t go through this alone.