How You Can Do Better And Fight Racism

Educate Yourself

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (consider buying this book from your local bookstore instead of Amazon)White Fragility: Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo (consider buying this book from your local bookstore instead of Amazon)So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo (consider buying this book from your local bookstore instead of Amazon)Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F. Saad (consider buying this book from your local bookstore instead of Amazon)This great commentary from Trevor Noah75 Things White People Can Do for Racial JusticeAn Antiracist Reading ListA Twitter thread on what Martin Luther King, Jr. actually saidA Twitter thread that outlines the history of racial violence in the United StatesPolice Are Hurting People Because They Want To5 Racist Anti-Racism Responses “Good” White Women Give to Viral PostsWhat does it mean to defund the police?

Support Those Doing The Work

Black Lives MatterBlack Visions CollectiveThe Collective PACMinnesota Freedom FundBrave Space AllianceJustice for BreonnaRun With MaudCampaign ZeroNational BailoutGeorge Floyd’s family’s GoFundMeMy Block My Hood My CityThe Legal Rights CenterNorthstar Health CollectiveCommunities United Against Police BrutalityReclaim the BlockThe NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Elevate The Voices of Activists

Rachel CargleBrittany Packnett CunninghamDesiree AdawayEricka HinesSonya Renee Taylor

Call Your Elected Officials

If you think your local government hasn’t been doing enough to prevent and punish police brutality, let them know. Call your councilperson, your mayor, your county executive, your state legislator, your Congressperson. Let them know that you see what is happening and you are not okay with it. Let them know that the people in their community want things to change now.

Don't Call The Cops On Your Neighbors of Color

As we’ve seen, time and again, the police aren’t always here to protect citizens of color. Remember that when you think about calling the police. Consider being an active bystander to interrupt tense situations, but do keep your own safety in mind. To learn more about being an active bystander, check out Collective Action for Safe Spaces.

Get On The Front Lines At Protests

Of course, we are still in the middle of a global pandemic, so if you are immunocompromised or you feel otherwise unsafe being in large groups of people right now, that’s okay. But if you feel comfortable joining in, go! Put yourself between black folks and the police. Show your black neighbors that you mean what you say when you say that black lives matter.

Spend Your Money At Black-Owned Businesses

Financial empowerment is huge when it comes to uplifting communities. That’s why it’s so important to invest in Black-owned businesses in your area. A great place to start is this central database for Black-owned businesses. Some other great resources are:

WeBuyBlackThe Black WalletOfficial Black Wall Street

I want to interview experts on these topics:

How white people and other non-Black people can be better allies to actually be anti-racist and fight against white supremacy and police violenceWhy Black wealth matters and how to even the financial playing field across raceWhy cash bail is racist and wrong and what should be instituted insteadHow allies can use their wallets to fight white supremacy and support their Black neighbors, friends, colleagues, family members, etc.How redlining has harmed Black families and prevented them from building wealthHow and why real estate taxes should not determine school funding

Email me at [email protected] if you or someone you know wants to be interviewed on one or more of these topics!