Black Lives Matter: What Do We Do Next?
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I would be remiss not to address the horrific incidences of rioting and racism occurring throughout our nation. I have never been one to stay silent when blatant injustice is happening around me, but I have chosen to do so until this point because as a white women, I want to tread lightly.
This is not my time to shine.
This is not my time to share my story, because I’m white and I don’t have one.
This is not my time to flood your newsfeed declaring my loyalty to people of color.
This is not my time to pretend I understand the fear and sadness and anger of so many, because I can’t even begin to imagine.
However, this is my time to do the most impactful work of all: teach my children that a person is not defined by the color of their skin.
Now is my time to listen and respectfully follow the lead of people of different races other than mine.
Now is my time to arrive with an open heart and an open mind.
Now is my time to lead by example for my children.
I stand by my friends and the hardships they have undoubtedly endured. I stand with them as a member of their village. I stand with them as they are mothers and fathers and working parents - each of us are doing everything we can to provide the best lives for our children.
As a white women, I stand here with naive humility. I will not stand passively and I will not turn my head. I stand tall with those on the side of humanity.
Below are ways to make a difference within the black community and promote a positive outlook on race within your home:
Buy Children’s Books Discussing Race
31 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance compiled by The Conscious Kid
Anti-Racism For Kids 101: Starting To Talk About Race
And the ultimate favorite in our home: Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
Recipient of a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award
Recipient of an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children’s Literary Work
Participate in the Hang Your Heart Project
Hang a Green Heart in your window. By doing so, you establish your home as a safe place for a person of color in your neighborhood. If they are fearful because they are being harassed, if someone is trying to cause them harm verbally or physically, they can look to your home as a safe place. They know they can come to you to provide temporary shelter.
This website also provides further resources including Interviews/Advice from Experts, Articles, Affinity Spaces, and Acvities for Children
Donate
The Official GoFundMe to support the Floyd Family
Community-Based Nonprofit that pays criminal bail and immigration bonds for individuals who have been arrested while protesting police brutality
Also consider donating to bailouts in your area
A black, trans, and queer-led organization that is committed to dismantling systems of oppression and violence while shifting the public narrative to create transformative long-term change.
Coalition that advocates in and invests in community-led safety initiatives in Minneapolis neighborhoods.
Online platform and organization that utilizes research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America.
Nonprofit organization that is dedicated to exposing root causes of dynamic social and environmental issues
National Police Accountability Project:
A project of the National Lawyers Guild, helps people find legal counsel.
Donate to Black Lives Matter
Get involved in your local chapter of Black Lives Matter
As a thank you to anyone who donates $25+, my sister-in-law will make and send you an embroidered shirt if you screenshot your donation and send it to her on Instagram @bstarna
Sign a Petition
Follow Social Media Accounts to Help Educate Yourself
Accounts I recommend on Instagram are:
The Conscious Kid (@theconsciouskid)
Glennon Doyle (@glennondoyle)
Rachel Cargle (@rachel.cargle)
Ibram X. Kendi (@ibramxk)
Hang Your Heart Project (@thehangyourheartproject)
Shifting the Culture (@shiftingtheculture)
These are just a few to get you started. There are COUNTLESS other amazing people to follow and please share in your stories and tag me so I can re-share as well!
I present this information understanding that this is a very delicate discussion for so many and semantics matter. I hope for the information provided above to be a catalyst for action in people who don't know where to begin.