If you’ve spent fifteen or twenty or fifty years using words or ideas that you didn’t realize were harmful,

but today, someone tells you that they are, you don’t have to feel bad about the last x years.

Start today. Learn to do it differently. Let this be the turning point. It might take some time to get it right, but there’s no reason to refuse to try not to harm people.

Sometimes, that harmful language or idea is systematic, and you have to use it in certain circumstances because the systems aren’t willing to change. But the systems—the paperwork, the meetings—don’t have to dictate your personal interactions. -Anna Carey, Toronto

(via racismfreeontario.tumblr.com/post/15282644663/if-youve-spent-fifteen-or-twenty-or-fifty-years-using. Jan 4, 2012 12:31 am/ Librariesandlemonade / 350 Notes)