Doing the Work is a reader-supported newsletter for anyone who is serious about doing the work of anti-racism. It's a space for learning, accountability, and honest and open reflections on anti-racism, anti-oppression and what it means for brands and communications. It’s brought to you by Collette Philip, a multi-award-winning founder, writer, coach and facilitator. Paid members enjoy weekly prompts, a dedicated members-only chat as well as other perks.
This week we’re doing things a bit differently. And we have a special guest too! I often talk about this work as a journey, filled with highs and lows. So I thought I’d bring it to life for you, using pictures of my dog, Nesta. Enjoy!
The journey of doing the work, as illustrated by Nesta the dog.
At first you're comfortable, because you have no real understanding of the systems of oppression that are affecting and harming us all. It’s like you're sleeping in blissful incomprehension, not realising that you're snuggled up with the very systems and forces that despise, and will destroy you.
Then one day you wake up and realise you need to listen and learn. You start off tentatively. You might start online, looking at social media. Google may be your friend at this point, as you seek to find out more about equity, inclusion and antiracism. But then you go a bit deeper in your learning, you realise that some of the superficial sources online are unverified, confusing, lack context or are just plain wrong!
So you look for deeper thinking and find books and printed material, often led by Black women at the intersections of different systems of oppression. And you read, listen and learn until you feel ready.
With your newfound knowledge, you're excited and enthusiastic to go out into the world and do this work. And at first it goes great. Yes, the vision of liberation may seem far off, but you're equipped, you're ready, and you can clearly see it.
But as time goes on, you start to get distracted. People offer short term benefits, treats that look good and are super tempting to draw you away from this work, and slowly you’re drawn in by all of the distractions. And because you are distracted from doing the work, prioritising other stuff feels way easier (and appealing)
You become overwhelmed by all of the setbacks and the challenges, because you realise that this world is built with systems that are designed to oppress and don’t want to be changed and you realise just how long term this work is.
You're exhausted so you actually retreat, and you're even thinking about leaving, abandoning this work altogether. But something stops you. Someone calls you in, maybe even calls you out. And you realise you can't abandon this work
But you do recognise the importance of rest, and this time, when you rest, it’s about making sure you're supported and nourished and have everything you need. You’re also uplifted by being part of a community called, Doing the Work.
And this means that when you head out into the world again to do this work, you're prepared, you're ready, and you're equipped to weather any storm.
And that’s the journey of Doing The Work as illustrated by my dog Nesta.
Let me know what the journey of doing this work is like for you right now.
What’s your journey? What parts resonated with you? And how cute is my dog?!
Let’s do this work together
This post is a freebie. However “Doing the Work” is about taking sustained, committed action. Providing resources that can be consumed passively, without commitment or follow up is not in keeping with how we do things or what works. Also expecting free labour from Black people is… not in keeping with anti-racist and anti-oppressive work (and if I am enabling this, then I am complicit).
I know that you, as part of our community will agree with this.
Thank you for being here!
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