Want to do something?
We have not seen a pandemic of the scale, swiftness, and severity of COVID-19 in over a century. Yet the virus of racism and police brutality against Black people has been with us for far too long and is nothing new.
Like many of you, I have been struggling with the murder of George Floyd, as well as those of Dion Johnson, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. They have undoubtedly impacted and horrified us all and the aftermath and events of the last few weeks have shaken the country as well as the entire world to their core. I’m hopeful because after two weeks, protests and solidarity marches are still going strong and they are overwhelmingly peaceful, highly diverse, and collecting new support. But we have to keep the momentum and particularly for white folks, we have to keep educating ourselves, children, families, friends, and coworkers.
I know many continue to ask, “What can I do? How can I help?” There are so many links and resources floating around right now so I wanted to compile an informative list that could get the ball rolling. There’s a lot to explore, but this is in no way comprehensive. This can be a springboard if you feel stuck and want to do something. Below please find many ways to educate yourself and your family about racism, talk with your children, take action, and make donations to help move racial justice forward. There is also some broader historical information that will help provide even more context to our current state. I’ve had so many hopeful conversations with colleagues, friends, and family and we all have a shared passion for dismantling these systems of inequality that perpetuate racial injustice and working toward a more equitable future. I’m optimistic these resources will provide a nice starting point.
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
Anti-Racism and Black Lives Matter Resources
Educate Yourself
What it means to be anti-racist The history and meaning behind anti-racism and why it’s not enough to just be not racist. “The beauty of anti-racism is that you don’t have to pretend to be free of racism to be an anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it’s the only way forward.” – Ijeoma Oluo
Anti-Racism Resources for White People Books, articles, film, and other media to educate yourselves and your children
How to be actively anti-racist No one becomes “not racist,” we must strive to be anti-racist. Here are more resources to help you listen, learn, and take action
Anti-Racism Social Media Accounts Diversify your feed and point of view by following these accounts that are creating and sharing anti-racist content
Stop saying All Lives Matter Black Lives Matter is not suggesting black lives are more important, but pointing out that black people’s lives are relatively undervalued and we need to recognize the inequity and stop it
Educate Your Children
Talk to your children about racism—they’re never too young! Resources to start the conversation with your kids and continue the education and understanding for them and your family
Talking to your kids about race—Age-by-Age What is developmentally appropriate to talk about with your kids
CNN Townhall with Sesame Street Stand Up to Racism with Elmo, Van Jones, and Erica Hill
Talking Race with Young Children 20-minute helpful podcast for parents with young kiddos
At the Workplace
Talking about racial inequality at work Hard conversations to have at work, but they must be had. Here are some tips to help facilitate
National Forum on Demonstrating Care for Black Employees Founder of USC’s Race and Equity Center, Shaun Harper, hosted a convening of Black professionals discussing how workplaces can best support their Black employees
How can companies progress racial justice? Commitments that companies and organizations must make in order to advance racial justice forward
Actions to Take
Check on your Black friends and family members
Things You Can Do For Racial Justice Actionable steps you can do right now to help create opportunities for equity
Mental Health Resources for Black People Help your friends and family get mental health help
Justice in June Daily schedule for the month of things to read, listen to, or watch in order to become better informed.
Petitions to Sign Petitions for racial justice
Ways to Donate
Black Lives Matter Donation Page Donate to victims, protesters, black owned businesses and organizations
George Floyd GoFundMe Funds to help with funeral and burial expenses, legal fees, as well as support and education for his children
Donate with No Money All ad revenue from video (Black artists) will be donated
Campaign Zero Online platform and organization that utilizes research-based policy solutions to end policy brutality
Black Visions Collective A Black, Trans, and Queer-led organization that is committed to dismantling systems of oppression and violence and shifting the narrative to create long-term change
DMTL Raising funds to implement post-COVID support to combat educational and economic disparities
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Borealis Philanthropy’s Black Led Movement Fund
Historical Context
History of Mass Incarceration One form of systemic inequities for people of color
War on Drugs Regan’s War on Drugs disproportionally targeted Black people and was a major contributing factor to our system of mass incarceration
History of Housing Discrimination How the US Government sponsored a system of segregation
Policing Discrimination Why it’s not a few bad apples, but a broken system
Systemic Racism 4-minute video explaining systemic racism and implicit bias
10 Documentaries to Watch Important documentaries about race, racial prejudices, and privileges within society
Helpful Infographics
Source: adapted by Andrew M. Ibrahim MD, MSc from “Who Do I Want to Be During COVID-19” chart (original author unknown)
Source: UNC Frank Porter Graham’s Race, Culture, and Ethnicity Committee
Source: Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence
Source: The Children’s Community School