A developing resource for how you can play your part in the movement
We have a massive empathy deficit and education/awareness deficit in the American culture that we need to bridge so that more people in positions of power “get it.” But know that this only goes so far.
A&A
We will never change the minds of the racists waving confederate flags who casually dole out the word ‘nigger,’ so we have to change the systems that enable them.
So please remember: don’t let heartwarming moments of solidarity let you forget that justice has not been served and that the systems and people in power who allow this to happen are still in place.
There are two fronts in this fight; the hearts & minds, and legislation & systems. Both need fixing.
Here’s how you can help
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO
Contact your elected officials. There are a series of laws that need to be repealed/addressed by Congress. The Atlantic did an excellent piece on this. Michigan Rep. Justin Amash has taken the first step to call for the repeal of Qualified Immunity.
Find out who your rep is and get their contact info: House.gov
Send your Rep these two articles:
Next,
- DONATE TO EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS.
- SUPPORT COMMUNITIES.
- LEARN & EQUIPT YOURSELF.
- PROTEST SAFELY.
- TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.
Details here…
The Organizations to Donate To
Bail Funds, Mutual Aid, & Petitioning
- Black Lives Matter
- Act Blue Community Bail Funds
- The Bail Project
- Black Lives Matter (card by @dehyedration)
- National Resource List #GeorgeFloyd
- National Bail Fund Network – COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
- Organizations Benefiting Black Americans
- The Freedom Fund
- Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund
- Donate With No Money
- The Marsha P. Johnson Institute
Great Resources For You To Follow And Learn From
- Black Lives Matter (carrd by @dehyedration)
- Anti-Racist Resources
- Anti-Racism Resources for White People
- 26 Ways to Be in The Struggle Beyond the Streets
- Authority Collective’s Resources for Photographers and Beyond on Anti-Racism
- Campaign Zero
- Ten Steps to Non-Optical Allyship
Going To Protest? Here’s What You Need To Know Before Hitting The Streets
- Image Scrubber, a tool for anonymizing photos taken at protests.
- How to Safely and Ethically Film Police Misconduct by Palika Makam
- How to Protest Safely in The Age of Surveillance by Andy Greenberg and Lily Hay Newman
- National Lawyers Guild
- Practical Guide To: Protesting & Pandemic Prevention
Excellent Materials – Uninformed Supporters Can Hider the Movement
Things To Watch
- The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975(2011) Dir. Göran Olsson
- Handsworth Songs (1986) Dir. John Akomfrah
- 13th (2016 Dir. Ava DuVernay
- Do the Right Thing(1989) Dir. Spike Lee
- Love is The Message, The Message is Death(2016) and Dreams are Colder Than Death (2011) Dir. Arthur Jafa
- Blacks Brittanica (1978) Dir. David Koff
- The Prison In Twelve Landscapes(2017) Dir. Brett Story
- The Murder of Fred Hampton(1971) Dir. Howard Alk
- Sisters in the Struggle Dir. Dionne Brand & Ginny Stikeman
Things To Read
- Sunu Journal
- Black Lives Matter
- “In Defense of Looting” by Vicky Osterweil)
- “A Mask and a Target Cart: Minneapolis Riots” by Aren Aizura
- Reformist Reforms vs. Abolitionist Steps in Policing
via Critical Resistance - “Black Riot” by Raven Rakia
- “This Is What You Get” by Ashley Reese
- “Is Prison Necessary? Ruth Wilson Gilmore Might Change Your Mind” by Rachel Kushner
- The End of Policing by Alex S. Vitale
- Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada From Slavery to The Present by Robyn Maynard
- “Ibram X. Kendi’s Anti-Racist Reading List”
- For Keeps Books
- Black & Blue