On the last bit, I think being aware of being able to overstep your bounds is enough sometimes. I went to an environmental conference called "power shift" last year in pittsburgh. Most of the workshops I chose to go to were about the socio-economic issues that go along with the negative impact of environmental damage; all forms of urban waste disposal are exclusively placed in lower income areas, respiratory disorders are consistently higher in these areas due to the methods of waste disposal and that coal burning power plants and factories are zoned next to these areas. There was another concerning the displacement of native people in Alaska and Canada by fracking. The workshop that had the biggest impact on me though was one in which a panel that had worked to revitalize several through the building of coo unity center like urban garden and youth centers as well as solar gardens to aid residents in lower utility prices. The panel was a mixture of community leaders, who were POC, and outside activists who had come to help with the changes to theses neighborhoods, some white some not. In the discussion with those in attendance problem of privilege and trying to help a community or cause as an outsider came up. The gave the safe answer they gave was that one who is unaffected by the strive can only help in a positive way by helping to facilitate change in the direction the community has decided.

After typing that out I don't know how much it relates to what you said but when I heard it it helped me find the line between wanting to help and speaking on something I haven't experienced.