In Humility, I'm Sorry

I made a mistake, and I didn't want to brush it under the rug and just move on. I'm sorry for planning a paid workshop on Juneteenth without collaborating with Black leadership in the area. This was harmful to the community because this is a sacred day of Black liberation, and my event was disrespectful, naive, and yet another reminder to the Black community of white ignorance. A day that I think is so critical for Black and Brown communities to share together. I wasn't considering crucial perspectives when I created it.

With misplaced logic, I failed. And it's a reminder for the continued work that needs to be done in me, and that without it, I can be disrespectful and appropriative. I understand that I am fully responsible for this misstep, and it is my responsibility to continue to unlearn racism and learn even more about honoring and respecting other communities. I'm sorry for harm that was done.

And thank you to the anonymous community member who helped shed light on why this was inappropriate. I needed to be called out and other perspectives to be given. I am grateful that whoever you are, you felt like you could say that to me. It was a reality check that I needed to have, to go deeper into meditation on the topic and see where I had caused harm. Black voices should be centered in this celebration, and white people are more than welcome to celebrate with them. But white people should not be leading their own events without Black leadership involved. I see this so clearly now.

I am sorry for creating an event that centered my voice, or worse, my business in this day of sacred celebrations. I have learned many valuable lessons through this experience. And I am humbled by it. I will never again plan an event on a day that is celebrating Black freedom, whether that is Juneteenth or another day. I commit to centering Black voices in this work, and to being a supportive secondary ally that supports their efforts. I will happily attend Black and Brown creators' events not just on days like this, but all throughout the year. I will re-commit to continuing the work of dismantling the racism in my mind that I learned as a child in the South. And I generously welcome anyone to call me out moving forward.

Thank you for being here as I continue to grow. Thank you for your trust in me to see the way, your feedback as I continue to create events with integrity, and your patience as I learn in the fire of experience. I am taking so much from this misstep. Please reach out if you would like to talk about it further with me, and if there is anything more I can do for you to repair this mistake. Lonagarner@gmail.com

In utter humility,

Lona