I have mixed emotions as a white person supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. In a sense, I am saddened at the oppression people of colour have had to face for hundreds of years and even now in today’s society. I was naive or perhaps hopeful that things were a lot better than I thought. I thought that we were closer to some semblance of equality but the past few days have really opened my eyes. It’s opened my eyes to the racism and police brutality that exists in America but also in other parts of the world, the UK included. I joined in with the #blackouttuesday hashtag on Instagram yesterday and I wanted to do my part to help. I realised that today, I could have simply continued with business as usual but that isn’t right.
As much as I’m saddened by it all, I have to apologise. I have to educate myself and others, and I have to fight to help this movement become more than just a movement. All lives do not matter until we’re all equal and the last few days has proved that we are far from it.
Black Lives Matter
I don’t have a huge platform but I thought that I could share with my readers, all the relevant helpful information, donation pages and petitions that we can all actively get involved with. I’ve noticed a deafening silence from many of my Facebook and Instagram friends. Those who haven’t even commented on the situation that’s unfolding rapidly on media outlets and social media. I also realise that not everyone is active on social media but I expected to see some activity happening through text messages. You see, we tend to bury our heads in the sand or look the other way when it comes to issues that don’t affect us. Yes, I know we all go through shit in our lives but I’ve never felt threatened due to the colour of my skin and I’ve never faced any discrimination, harassment, or judgement in my career or personal life due to the colour of my skin. I’m nowhere near educated enough to understand what black people have been through and I will continue doing so from now on. I realise that I should have done it before and I should have been more active. I was part of the problem and I’m now working on being part of the solution.
This fight isn’t about me. It’s about standing up for those who aren’t being heard. It’s about having those uncomfortable conversations with friends and family about the racist remarks or jokes we may have made in the past without even realising. This attitude is something that has been deeply ingrained into our society for hundreds of years and now is the time to do something about it. We should have never let it happen in the first place and now we all have a responsibility to get rid of racism and to ensure no one, whatever their colour ever feels like their lives are at risk, simply due to pigmentation in their skin. Below is a list of helpful information and to which I have been reading to educate myself on. There’s a section on petitions and also a section on how you can help donate and to give back to those who need it.
Finally, a message to those of my friends and family who are white. Don’t continue to dismiss this movement. Don’t downplay it as a trend and do what you can to educate yourself and others. And to my black friends, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t do more before but I sure as anything will make up for it for the rest of my life. I hope it doesn’t take a lifetime to end racism. And please, if you have anything else useful to add to this list, let me know in the comments below so that I can update it.
Useful Information
Black Lives Matter – https://blacklivesmatter.com/
Educate Yourself – https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#educate
Dr. Robin DiAngelo’s Teachings – White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
Black People Need Stronger White Allies — Here’s How You Can Be One
Petitions (This list will take you five minutes at the most to do)
Justice for Ahmaud Arbery – http://chng.it/JkTDFCMnmy
Raise The Degree For Murder – http://chng.it/QW79JHpQKg
Justice for David McAtee – http://chng.it/SFNydw4CTV
Justice for Belly Mujinga – http://chng.it/Ksd4LR7RTP
George Floyd – Say My Name – http://chng.it/pNtj6yvMGh
Justice For George Floyd – http://chng.it/bxyddNVmVf
Make white privilege and systemic racism a compulsory part of the British education course – http://chng.it/gzbL8vtHMj
Teach British children about the realities of British Imperialism and Colonialism – http://chng.it/QgzXfbxDSj
Suspend UK export of tear gas, rubber bullets and riot shields to USA – http://chng.it/WzkR8ytHws
Support & Donate
Watch this video and don’t skip the ads. All advertisements make money and proceeds will go to Black Lives Matter and various other charities. TIP – Make sure to watch it on your mobile phone and disable your ad blocker if enabled.
This link – tinyurl.com/emailforfloyd – will draft a pre-written email that you can tweak and send to Minnesota officials.
Donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund – https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund – https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
Donate To Bail Funds – https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bail_funds_george_floyd
Donate to Campaign Zero – A campaign to end police brutality. – https://www.joincampaignzero.org/
