I have recently spent time reflecting on my white privilege contribution and my personal responsibility in the current movements. I have been closely listening and asking my friends of color those uncomfortable (uncomfortable for me) questions. Here is where I have arrived:

This is a white person problem. This is a white person problem that people of color pay the consequence for.

I recognize that I do not understand. I recognize that I am the beneficiary and recipient of a genetic lottery. I recognize that I have never thought about being white because I didn’t have to. I recognize that I have been oblivious to certain opportunities that have been easier for me to obtain due to my white privilege. I recognize that it took the current movements for me to unpack my white privilege and the oblivious or unconscious actions that I have taken to benefit from and/or advance that white privilege.

The photography industry has not done enough to display the diversity that we should, and I am holding myself accountable as a member of this community. We need to stop asking people of color to solve a white person problem and although there may not be easy answers there are most certainly better answers. Although I cannot control who inquires with me, my contribution not only as a person but as a business is this: I will continue to have those uncomfortable conversations, I will continue looking at myself and those unconscious contributions, I will stand in solidarity with people of color, and most importantly my efforts will continue from this point forward and not simply for a brief time.

I am listening, I am learning, I am an ally, and I stand with you.