How to Support The Black Lives Matter Movement

Before this week I didn’t realize that by not speaking out, I wasn’t being a good ally. Racism, prejudice, and discrimination is still very alive in the US and all around the world. We cannot ignore what is happening. Are you being anti-racist and helping with the Black Lives Matter movement? I understand that some people might not know what they’re supposed to do. I want to do my part in spreading the petitions, places to donate, books and articles to read, and other ways to support the Black Lives Matter movement. We all need to work together to end systematic racism. The more this information is able to circulate, the better people can see actionable steps they can do themselves.

For all of those who are circulating information, make sure you are actually using your resources. Move beyond virtue signaling and actually participate. So many have died from police brutality and many more are discriminated against each and everyday. This won’t stop if people stand by idly, letting it happen. The system and the police officers who are supposed to help people have been failing everyone, especially BIPOC.

I hope you join me in donating, petitioning, and educating yourself, learning, sharing resources and listening.

How to Support the Black Lives Matter Movement

Petitions to Sign

1. Justice for George Floyd.
2. Justice for Breonna Taylor.
3. Justice for Ahmaud Arbery.
4. Justice for Tarmir Rice.
5. Reopen Kendrick Johnson’s Case.
6. Reopen Kenneka Jenkin’s Case.
7. William Simmons has Spent 38 Years for a $9 Robbery.
8. Pass Georgia Hate Bill Crime.
9. Suspend UK Export of Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets, and Riot Shields to USA.
10. Mandatory Life Sentence for Police Brutality.

Click here for a Carrd with more petitions.

Articles to Read

1. The Racist Roots of American Policing: From Slave Patrols to Traffic Stops.
2. Why You Need to Stop Saying “All Lives Matter”.
3. When Feminism Is White Supremacy in Heels.
4. How White People Can Be Better Allies to the Black Community.
5. What I Hear When Someone Says “I Don’t See Color”.
6. Dear White Women, A Letter Reminding Modern White Feminist of Their Relationship with Black Women Throughout History.
7. 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice.
8. Of Course There are Protests. The State is Failing Black People.
9. How White People Can Hold Each Other Accountable to Stop Institutional Racism.
10. These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protests to Your Kids. 

Books to Read [Links to Goodreads]

1. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
2. Why I am No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
3. Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
4. Becoming by Michelle Obama
5. White Fragility: Why it’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DeAngelo
6. How to be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
7. So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
8. This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell 
9. Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
10. Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

What to Watch (Streaming)

1. 13th (Netflix)
2. When They See Us (Netflix)
3. Dear White People (Netflix)
4. The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (Netflix)
5. Let it Fall: Los Angeles 1982- 1992 (Netflix, Amazon Prime)
6. Dispatches from Cleveland (Amazon Prime)
7. Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement (Amazon Prime)
8. Selma (Amazon Prime)
9. Whose Streets? (Amazon Prime, Hulu)
10. Do Not Resist (Available to rent on YouTube, Amazon, etc.)

What to Watch (YouTube)

1. How George Floyd Was Killed in Police Custody – The New York Times
2. Prejudice and Discrimination – Crash Course
3. Black Parents Explain How to Deal with the Police – The Cut
4. How to Talk to Kids About Race – The Atlantic
5. Systemic Racism Explained – act.tv
6. Let’s Get to the Root of Racial Injustice – Megan Ming Francis -TEDxRanier

Places to Donate

1. Black Lives Matter (US)
2. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
3. Black Visions Collective (BLVC)
4. Campaign Zero
5. Reclaim the Block
6. The Bail Project
7. NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
8. Equal Justice Initiative
9. Voices for Racial Justice
10. National Police Accountability Project

If you’re unable to donate but want to financially help, watch this video. All ad money will be donated.

Text, Call or Send a Letter to Demand Justice

This carrd is a great resource for where to text, call, or send a letter.

Protest

Read more here if you’re going to protest. Many white supremacist groups are creating fake protests so make sure you research before attending any. It’s also important not to share photos and videos with other protestors faces in them. The card also goes over safety tips and data protection for if you are protesting.

What Else You Can Do:

• Support black-owned businesses.
• Vote for politicians who make it a priority to end police brutality, for diversity and representation, and for those that show proof of fighting for justice in their communities.
• Speak up when you witness discrimination, racial profiling, and racism.
• Talk to your children about race. Make sure they have a representation of all races in their toys and books.
• Check in on your black friends and loved ones.

I understand that this might be an overwhelming list, but it’s so important to support the Black Lives Movement. Staying silent won’t change anything. Sign the petitions, educate yourself, vote, and speak up. It’s not enough to not be racist, we need to work together to be anti-racist. Even if you don’t feel like you have the words to impact, share the voices of others and amplify black voices on social media.

I hope this reaches anyone who is wanting to know how to support the Black Lives Matter Movement. Share this, or the information in the post with others and comment below if you have more resources that you think should be included.

Black Lives Matter.