1 June
Identity

Black Lives Matter. Here’s How You Can Help.

I stand with the Black community. Black lives matter, have mattered, and will always matter.

I will admit that even as a POC, I have found it difficult to talk about ethnicity, race, and culture, particularly when the conversation is not centered around my own identity. I was afraid to say something wrong, and as a result, I said nothing at all. But silence is betrayal. I am committing myself to being an active ally.

Here is a list of resources with actions you can take to help.

Oppression is nuanced and unique to every minority group. Commit yourself to learning more and being an active listener.

If you’re unable to go to protests, you can still take action in the form of donating, signing petitions, and educating yourself.

This is not a comprehensive “to-do” list. I am only one person and this is a list of resources that I have come across. You should take it upon yourself to continue learning from as many resources as you can.

It is important to remember that acts of injustice are ongoing. They can be as inconspicuous as they are violent. Even when the protests end, the battle continues. Speak out, educate yourself, donate, sign petitions, share on social media, but don’t stop when it no longer becomes a social media “trend.”

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The time for action is now, and we have no time to waste 👏🏾 let’s talk about allyship during a crisis (and beyond!) ⠀⠀ 🚦PICK A CAUSE. You’re more likely to be effective (and follow through with action) when you’re focused on one cause! Examples include: poverty, homelessness, immigrants + refugees, the Indigenous, frontline, the incarcerated, etc etc. ⠀⠀ 📦 UNPACK & LEARN. Become aware of the most urgent needs and comb through as much information as possible. The more you know, the more helpful you’ll be. ⠀⠀ 🏠 THINK LOCAL. Chances are, the orgs on the ground are more aware and knowledgeable of what’s high-priority. Before you act, listen and follow their lead so you can maximize your impact within your direct sphere of influence. ⠀⠀ 📣 TAKE ACTION. It’s time to pull-up! Assess your resources and take targeted, direct action that will lead to relief. Whether this means buying groceries for someone, donating computers to programs, or spreading the word about the cause – something must be done! ⠀⠀ ✔️ REPEAT! The work continues, and you’re needed for the long-haul. ⠀⠀ Which orgs will you partner with? Let’s turn the comments into a resource. Share below! ↓

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Be Actively Anti-Racist

If you see an act of injustice occur, point it out. Speak up. It is never enough to be a bystander. Hold one another accountable. Don’t allow anti-Black sentiment to be perpetrated.

Be aware of your implicit biases. Read more about how you can do that with this article on Forbes.

Teaching Tolerance has a great publication on these 6 Steps to Speak Up:

  1. Be ready
  2. Identify the behavior
  3. Appeal to principles
  4. Set limits
  5. Find an ally/be an ally
  6. Be vigilant

1. Donate

At the time of writing this post, the Minnesota Freedom Fund and the Brooklyn Bail Fund have asked for donations to be redirected to other non-profits.

Click on the name of the fund/organization to be directed to the page.

2. Sign Petitions

  • #JusticeforFloyd on Color of Change or text “FLOYD” to 55156
    • As of now, the petition has reached 88% of its goal of 4 million signatures!
  • Petition by National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) demanding the arrest of the three remaining officers involved in the murder of George Floyd
  • #JusticeforBre on Color of Change or text “ENOUGH” to 55156
    • Petition demands that the officers responsible for Breonna Taylor’s murder be fired
  • #StandwithBre launched on the official site for Breonna Taylor

3. Learn

Don’t wait for someone else to teach you. It’s not their responsibility. Be proactive. Educate yourself. Educate your family members and friends. There are many free resources online.

Book Lists to Check Out

Ig Accounts to Follow

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Thank you for these action items @shiftingtheculture. We would also add giving resources. Right now, there is an Official George Floyd Memorial Fund and several organizations on the ground in Minneapolis who need support, including the Minnesota Freedom Fund, Reclaim the Block, and Black Visions Collective. Also, a note on “calling in”: sometimes there is also a necessity to “call out” so please allow space for both. The push to only “call in” can be a way of tone policing, confining, and dictating the ways in which marginalized groups and individuals are able to show up and respond to their own oppression. The feelings and comfort of the offender are centered and prioritized, while the person, or community harmed is further marginalized by having to respond within the confines of the perpetrator’s comfort and terms—not their own. This also never occurs in a vacuum and usually after many unsuccessful attempts to “call in”. #BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd

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Again: It is important to remember that acts of injustice are ongoing. They can be as inconspicuous as they are violent. Even when the protests end, the battle continues. Speak out, educate yourself, donate, sign petitions, share on social media, but don’t stop when it no longer becomes a social media “trend.”

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