Updated June 4, 2020
What is there to say about this weekend that hasn’t already been said. It was heavy and emotional. I’ve heard it described as our generation’s Bloody Sunday. Anytime I try to compose something to say, it’s not good enough. But it didn’t feel right to go onto my Monday as if it hasn’t happened and without acknowledging it here on my small corner of the internet.
But, in the end, actions speak louder than words. So here are some actions (reading and research) that I’ve been doing this weekend. I hope that it will give others like me (white, privileged, wanting but uncertain of what to do or how to help bring about change) a place to start.
Reading and Resources
I realize this list is small and incomplete. This only reflects the research and reading I did this weekend. I’ll be adding to it as I learn more.
Support the NAACP #WeAreDoneDying Campaign (supports and explains new criminal justice, economic, health, and voting policy)
10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship by Mireille C Harper (Twitter)
A Weekend of Pain and Protest – The Daily by NYTimes
How to Make This Moment a Turning Point for Real Change by Barack Obama
Anguish and Action – The Obama Foundation
Use the Intentionalist to Support Small Businesses in Your Community (Seattle based)
How to Support Black-Owned Restaurants in Seattle – Seattle Times
Our Most Solemn Obligation: Win in November by Crooked Media
Black Woman Owned Brands You Can Support Today by Poor Little It Girl
VIDEOS
The Cut Video of How Black Families Talk About the Police
What’s the point of posting publicly in support of #BlackLivesMatter? bu Ayana Lage (Instagram)
George Floyd, the Minneapolis Protests, Ahmaud Arbery & Amy Cooper by Trevor Noah (Instagram)
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man
Be a Better White Person by Jesse Mechanic
ACCOUNTS
Danielle Coke of Oh Happy Dani (Instagram)
Shit You Should Care About (Instagram)
People Who Articulate My Feelings More Eloquently Than I Can
click on the name for their full statements
Carly Heitlinger “I haven’t known what to post, or what to say. I do have a lot to say, but I worry I’m going to say something wrong or misspeak or miss the mark and the easy thing would be to just, not say anything… I want to be an ally AND an advocate for people of color and that starts by using my voice both privately and publicly.”
Kelly in the City “Read. Read everything you can. Read the news every day, even if it’s painful. Read journals and magazines; read the stories of those who come from different backgrounds and who have different upbringings. Read what the likeminded say, but also what people on the other side of the spectrum–and those who fall elsewhere–say.”
Julia Berolzheimer “It’s my responsibility to educate myself. And now that I’m a mother, I feel the responsibility more than ever to learn and teach my daughter about race and about inequality and about her own privilege.”
