“Do Better” June Pledge

I vow to make my absolute best, good-faith attempt to be conscious of the spaces I occupy and the way I treat those in them with me.

I vow to exercise and improve my empathy toward those with different backgrounds, marginalizations, and experiences than my own. I recognize that we aren’t all starting from the same mark.

I vow to consider the things I don’t say in front of the people they are about, and ask myself why not, and if those reasons stem from a fucked up place.

I vow to curtail destructive behavior that I’ve perpetuated.

I vow to acknowledge my privilege across all axes of social interaction and educate those who share it when I am able.

I vow to undergo accountability actions, and want my community to hold expect me to be accountable for harmful actions, fucked-up views, or even just simple mistakes borne of ignorance.

I vow not to pretend that my tenure in any community gives me any right to behave poorly or gives further pretense that I am elevated above my peers.

I vow to show solidarity with community members who are more marginalized than myself, to amplify and hold space for them.

I acknowledge that I am a person who may fuck up, and vow to expend effort to curtail my own defense mechanisms when that happens. No one, especially me, will heal, learn, or change if I lash out in the heat of my emotions.

I am not a saint, but I am a person who makes choices about my actions.

My choice is to do better.