I am regrettably late to the party in helping to correct racial injustice and there is a long way to go. Right now, I am listening to what people of color have to say, educating myself about systemic racism (and the ways in which I participate and benefit from it) and committing myself to affecting real change by taking concrete action. If you feel the same way, I invite you to join me: For Our White Friends Desiring to be Allies.
Learn
13TH - a documentary about systemic racism and mass incarceration. Currently available on Youtube and Netflix.
African American History: From Emancipation to Present (2010) - a free recorded online course offered by Yale University taught by Professor Jonathan Holloway. The lectures can also be viewed on Youtube.
Tulsa’s Black Wall Street Massacre - an article and video about the 1921 violent attack by white mobs that burned an entire wealthy black neighborhood to the ground.
#DoTheWork Course - by Rachel Cargle. This course is for white (and white passing) people who are ready to unpack their personal relationship with and contribution to racism. Please consider supporting her work financially.
Me And White Supremacy - by Layla F. Saad. Another interactive resource for understanding white privilege and systemic racism.
Donate
Take Action
#8CantWait - call and email your mayor’s office and ask them to enact 8 policies that can reduce police killings by 72%. These internal policies can be enacted immediately. Scripts available. It takes less than 2 minutes to call and email.
#JusticeForBre - sign the petition to bring posthumous justice to Breonna Taylor who was shot 8 times in her bed by Lousiville Metropolitan Police Department after they invaded her property looking for a drug trafficker who did not live in her building and they already had in custody. Call these Kentucky state officials using the numbers and script provided and demand they hold the officers accountable for their actions.
#DefundThePolice - sign the petition that calls to redirect funds for policing into services and initiatives such as healthcare, education and community programs that directly help communities.
Call your elected officials and let them know these issues matter to you.