Sometimes it's ok to feel the weight of everything, alongside the numbness of nothingness.

Today is my birthday. Five years ago today, I celebrated my birthday and the book birthday of How to Be an Antiracist. Little did I know that millions of people across the world would read this book that Pulitzer Prize winning Black Studies scholar Jeffrey C. Stewart called “the most courageous book to date on the problem of race in the Western mind” in the New York Times. How to Be an Antiracist narrates my journey of internalizing racist ideas as a youngster and how I ended up recognizing those ideas and started striving to be antiracist. The book simultaneously narrates the history of different kinds of racist ideas—including biological, ethnic, cultural, behavioral, color, class, space, gender, queer—and their antiracist opposites, all the while demonstrating that the true opposite of racist isn’t “not racist,” it is antiracist. The book demonstrates how the fixed binary of racist and “not racist” is nonsensical since those being racist have historically self-identified as “not racist.” The book defines racist and antiracist not as terms that identify who a person inherently is, but terms that describe what a person is being in any given moment based on whether they are deconstructing or reinforcing the structure of racism. Humans are complex and contradictory. Depending on the racial group or issue or place or context, we can be racist one moment and antiracist the next. I have come to appreciate the people who have largely spent the last five years misrepresenting and banning the book and trying to discredit me. What you have done—and why you have done it—have functioned like the book’s postscript. I really appreciate the people who offered constructive feedback—not to elevate themselves, but to elevate the book. Your feedback formed the basis for my revised paperback edition that came out last year. I also really appreciate the people who ended the book and saw it as a beginning. They joined with us on our journey to be antiracist, as we transform ourselves to transform society. This isn’t about professing a desire for radical change. Anyone can say anything. Anyone can’t do anything. This is about changing ourselves and working diligently and often privately to create that radical change in society. Many people are doing that today. The eyes of the mainstream press may have moved on, but the eyes of history are with you, as you build, as you organize, as you strive to end starvation and exploitation and genocides, as you work to shift power and policy. And I want to take this opportunity, on my birthday, to thank you for the antiracist gifts you keep giving to the humanity. I remain hopeful because of you.

A very moving series. Be mindful of your mental health as this time if you choose to watch it (I don't think I could re-watch atm). Saw a couple of Ppl that I know in it and familiar spaces.

In times of despair, our (grand)children carry hope - through their innocence, laughter, the magic of rainbows 🌈 They bring lightness and joy to heaviness. For you @DrMehwishSharif and your family, for @GiulianaFerri4 🌈

When @RoseONei11 sends you a genuinely kind message to check-in, ask how she can hold space for you because...be there as a white ally etc. I've seen her actions in practice & they're noticed, appreciated-the world has kind ppl 💚🙏🏾🌳

I spoke to the sun this morning 🌄 Shine rays of love, kindness and care in abundance - so that hatred has no space. With love Geeta ☀️

Sending love and kindness to anyone feeling scared, shaken or triggered by the recent racist attacks. As a 2nd generation British South Asian, I am fortunate to have v. kind friends from all backgrounds, but still feel fear, particularly for our family elders. To love ❤️

Can you imagine how Black and Brown people are feeling when seeing and hearing about the racist violence happening on the streets of the UK? If you haven't even tried then this is part of the problem.

My sister & I were discussing NF memories y'day Anjana and recall how some of our good friends were attacked sadly~our parents' fears. Mum called me y'day feeling very confused about the Nottm protests and why they're happening today.

Libraries: Such an imp part of my c/hood, my girls' & gr/daughters. TY to all the volunteers who create a wonderful community learning space for many. Best morning with ch storytellers (2 grandmothers) sharing underwater stories w toddlers. #lovelibraries

Today is James Baldwins’s 100th birthday - he always wanted to write like a jazz musician now musicians want to play like he wrote - this piece explains why everythingjazz.com/story/jam…

What actions are most effective in combating microaggressions and promoting inclusivity in the workplace? Good Q. One that @LanderVini & I have been discussing. #SouthAsianHeritageMonth #FreeToBeMe

Is anyone willing to give me permission to reprint a photo they took of Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Carioca Landscape in Rio de Janeiro? Credit given of course! Something that looks like this? #WhispersOfRock