It’s been almost a week since the grand jury in the Breonna Taylor case announced their decision, but since March, Louisville has been angry. The whole country has been angry with the treatment of POC in the past and even today. As a white woman, I am privileged and recognize that and want to help in any way that I can. So, if you feel powerless, as most of us do, but still want to make an impact and stand up for the BLM movement, here are some ways you can do so.
First of all, educate yourself!
There are so many movies, documentaries, podcasts, books, etc. that you can use as tools to learn about and recognize the presence of systemic racism and how to help. Here are some of my favorites:
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13th (on Netflix)
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16 Shots (on Netflix)
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When They See Us (on Netflix)
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (by Maya Angelou)
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Pod Save the People (anywhere you listen to podcasts)
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Left, Right, and Center (anywhere you listen to podcasts)
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Code Switch by NPR (anywhere you listen to podcasts, imagine that!)
The two podcasts I listed are more political than anything, but it’s still super important to educate yourself on politics right now!
Spread the word!
One of the biggest parts of the BLM movement is spreading the word and educating people on what the movement is about, who it stands to protect, and why it is extremely important in today’s world. It’s so helpful to educate people, to dismantle rumors about the movement, and to make your argument heard. At the beginning of the pandemic, when BLM was gaining steam again, I was criticized for posting on Instagram about BLM instead of protesting. It really struck me and for a little while, I felt bad posting pictures and stories, but I realized that showing your support and posting about it is also very important. Some people aren’t in a place where they can protest, so it’s still important to show your support in other ways.
Along with that, show your support.
Whether this just be for the BLM movement, local black businesses, or just the culture as a whole, it’s super important to show your support. I know that Spotify has been curating a lot of podcasts that celebrate black heritage to empower ALL people to speak up. Instagram has been promoting black owned businesses. Here are a couple links to some great Insta posts that have lists of black owned businesses:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBOG6_WBdmN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBDxl3iFZGw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBvxRiwJVZL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Get involved!
If you feel comfortable protesting right now, you should be. There are people that can’t because of COVID-19 and their own risk or people that they are close to, which is understandable, but if you feel comfortable and have the ability, you should protest. If you have the means to donate or volunteer with local centers, you should be. Anything helps.
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#petitions
Finally, and most importantly, don’t stop talking, posting, protesting, educating, and caring about this!
This is not something that is going to go away overnight. If you are white, you will never fully understand. ask yourself questions about the things you have a hard time with in regards to BLM. If it’s the rioting, ask yourself why you can justify burning stuff after your college team wins or loses a football game or if destruction of property is more important than the loss of life? It is not our place as white people to control and decide what is the right way to grieve or resist. “there is no acceptable way to challenge the system.” Remember that you have a basic physiological need met every day that George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, and so many others didn’t: the ability to breathe. Recognize your privilege and push yourself to be uncomfortable in a racist system and fight to change that system.