Outrage, grief and pain over the failure to address equity issues, real justice and systemic racism is fueling a necessary movement for change across the nation. I believe in stepping up and advocating for our BIPOC and any marginalized communities. Let’s dismantle these oppressive systems. I am listening and learning, and will amplify and donate where I can. Let’s support BIPOC businesses and drop off much-needed supplies to hurting communities. Keep your foot on the gas, whatever methods you choose to be the change are vital.
I wanted to share some resources that I have been using:
Books:
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- How We Fight White Supremacy by Akiba Solomon and Kenrya Rankin
- The Broken Heart of America by Walter Johnson
- Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi with Joshua David Stein
- The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South by Michael W. Twitty
Podcasts:
Links:
- Anti Racism Resources
- Sojourners: For Our White Friends Desiring to be Allies
- Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community
Some organizations and leaders to learn from:
- Showing up for Racial Justice @showingupforracialjustice
- Black Lives Matter @blklivesmatter
- Momentum Alliance @getyourmomentum
- Color of Change @colorofchange
- Antiracism Center @antiracismctr
- Until Freedom @untilfreedom
- Advancement Project @advancementproject
- Justice Teams Network @justiceteamsnetwork
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund @naacp_ldf
- Rachel Cargle @thegreatunlearn
- Ijeoma Oluo @ijeomaoluo
- Tamika Mallory @tamikadmallory
- Bernice King @berniceaking
- Tarana Janeen @taranajaneen
- Ibram Kendi @ibramxk
- Layla Saad @laylafsaad
- Raquel Willis @raquel_willis
Potential ways you can also show up:
- Commit to something long term now to help dismantle racism and hold yourself accountable to that promise
- Research and create a local list of good work serving BIPOC communities. This moment is not just about police brutality. It is also about food deserts, school systems, prisons, youth empowerment, media and arts.
- Tell your followers to put pressure on your mayor to commit to police reform. Watch this video by President Obama message for mayors, starts at 10:30. (here is the document he references)
- Post the work of BIPOC organizations on your platforms
- Support BIPOC owned businesses and highlight them on your platform
- Look at these organizations and take their lead and ask your followers to direct folks to follow.
- Encourage folks to donate to these organizations
- Do NOT become defensive if you are called on something you post. Recognize that you will make mistakes, and that folks holding you accountable are investing in your learning.
- Consider your use of “#blacklivesmatter”
- Continue to use the words Black Lives Matter on all of your posts, just remove the actual hashtag if you feel it does not need to live on that feed.
- This way the feed can be a resource for inspiration and change.
- Bring protestors food
For the Twin Cities:
