There’s no better time to show your support for the Black Lives Matter movement than during Black History Month. Just because it isn’t trending on Twitter or reaching the news channels doesn’t mean we can forget about the racism and injustice faced in the United States, and it’s up to us to help create change.
The following information comes from https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/.
- Sign Petitions
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Although signing petitions may seem like it doesn’t do much in the moment, in the long run, it can bring attention and awareness to a situation. The website includes petitions for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, other victims of police brutality, and law change. Here are the links from their website as well as some others that work towards social change.
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#georgefloyd
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#breonnataylor
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#petvictims
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#law
- Donate
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Not everyone is in the position to donate funds, but if you can, every cent counts. And if you can’t, then sharing information is another great way to fundraise for the Black community. I personally have donated to the National Black Justice Coalition that is dedicated to empowering Black people of the LGBTQ+ community. Be aware that donating to change.org does not mean your contribution will go to the cause; it will most likely go to change.org itself. Sign their petitions, but financial support can be given elsewhere.
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#donate
- Reach Out
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Calling, emailing, or writing to your local representatives or state representatives shows them that their community cares about these issues. At the end of the day, they want to be reelected and if they ignore what the people they’re representing say, then that won’t happen. Similarly to signing petitions, it may not seem like much in the moment, but if enough people do it and draw attention to it, then your voice cannot be ignored.
- Vote
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Voting is always important, and understanding who’s getting your vote and what they stand for is crucial to creating social change. Not just voting in presidential elections, but every single election you can, no matter how small it seems. This can be difficult or scary in the pandemic, but registering early, voting early, and sending in an absentee ballot can aid you in this.
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#vote
Black Lives Matter is an important organization that stands up for the justice and rights of Black people. Even if this isn’t in the news or the media at the moment, that doesn’t mean the issue has gone away. Helping the Black Lives Matter movement does not stop once February is over. These are actions that you can do any day, whenever, to help the Black community. Today and every day, Black lives matter.