I’m wondering if, like me, you are feeling broken-hearted and raw right now. I’ve found myself angry and deeply saddened by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others. And the disparities that the pandemic have made so obvious, that to turn away now requires willful ignorance or callousness. But the intensity of my feelings is nothing compared to what Black people experience every day.
And I’m sure you must have seen dozens of lists with anti-racist actions to take. I will share a few resources below. The crucial thing is to do something. Now.
To be clear: I am not in any way close to being an anti-racism educator. I am a white woman working to dismantle my own role in systemic racism, examining my privilege, and educating myself, knowing that this is a lifelong journey.
Every act of brutality ignored chips away at our humanity. For too long, it has been too easy to tune out, especially if we have the privilege to do so. Showing up for Black people, in addition to being the right thing to do, is absolutely necessary. Sitting this out is a luxury.
If it all feels overwhelming, do one thing today. Find something small and meaningful and do that. And then commit to doing one thing, small or larger, every day.
Show up the best way you know how. If taking to the streets isn’t an option, there are plenty of other ways, whether it’s handing out water to protesters, using your lettering skills to make signs for people to carry, text or phone banking, educating yourself about your privilege and the systemic racism that hurts us all, signing a petition, calling your representative, shopping at Black-owned businesses, donating to organizations fighting racial injustice.
You will make mistakes. I will make mistakes. I make lots of mistakes. I am vowing to be gracious and to learn from people who are kind and brave enough to tell me when I do, but also to reflect every day and examine my own biases.
Here are just a few resources.
leesareneehall
laylafsaad
rachel.cargle
Each of these women also has a Patreon. They provide many opportunities to learn for free on their Instagram accounts, but I believe another way to show up is to pay Black women for their time and their work. Each is a beautiful writer, as well.
Also on Instagram
chasinggarza
charlesmblow
privtoprog
zinneducationproject
Books
Me and White Supremacy, by Layla F. Saad
Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Black literature list from PEN America
Articles
Organizations