By Tonjie Reese
Here we are again. Another Black person was killed by a violent police officer. A familiar rage is bubbling inside of us and has spilled into the streets. We are electrified. We are tired. We are ready for the next phase of the uprising. Our protests are a result of being unheard for too long. We scream Black Lives Matter because America has taught us that our lives don’t have value. In an uprising, we have a responsibility to make the world hear our voices. At this moment, our main goal should be sustainability.
Here are some things to consider in the midst of an uprising:
There is no right way, only the right thing
As usual, quotes and strategies from Martin Luther King and Malcom X are floating around as a way to move the uprising forward. Some people feel they have to choose sides. Some people feel they are a mixture of both, or neither of the two. The reality is, there were more agents of change that contributed to racial liberation. There is no unilateral approach to repairing 400+ years of oppression and injustice. Differences of opinions are inevitable. We don’t have to agree on the method we will use to bring about change, we just have to be unified in understanding that we all have a responsibility to bring about change.
Read and research
Commit to being a lifelong learner and educate yourself where you lack. Read op-eds and articles. Be mindful of your news sources and consider where your news comes from. During a racial justice uprising, read Black founded media. Use a critical eye and analyze everything. If you think you have read enough, you haven’t. Read what you don’t understand and share what you read with others.
Don’t be stingy with knowledge
We must honor people as our greatest resource. If you learn something new, it’s your responsibility to pass it along to others. Don’t condemn people for not knowing what you know. In the same vein, be willing to learn. Teach your children about liberation and inequality. Social media holds unprecedented power and is a source for sharing knowledge — use it wisely. News and other forms of media only have power when people choose to share. Don’t rely on news sources alone, share stories from individuals that aren’t connected to the media.
Justice is a privilege
Overwhelmingly, white people benefit from the law. Understanding how the law benefits you is a privilege. The criminal justice system was built on racial disparity. If you have knowledge about the current criminal justice system, strategize ways to share what you know with others. Ask yourself, how can I make this information accessible for others? Awareness of your rights is an essential tool against fighting injustice.
Vote and elect
Hold your elected officials accountable. Research how they are responding to protests. Take note of what issues are important to you. Systemic racism often intersects with other community issues. Research what items are on your local ballots. Get involved with voter registration and prioritize young people and the elderly. All of our voices are needed. The power to elect leaders and pass laws lies with the people. Survey your loved ones and understand what angers them. Devise ways to collect the information and present it to policy makers. This is especially important for community members who don’t have access to information or the ability to share their concerns. Get to know your state representatives and don’t be afraid to replace them. We elect our county sheriff, district attorney, and judges. Research the platforms of everyone on the ballot and investigate if they have a clear platform on racial injustice.
Maintain your connections
Right now we need each other more than ever. Make connections and maintain connections. Maybe you can’t assist someone but you know someone that can, don’t be ungenerous or elitist. Introduce people to each other even when you have nothing to gain from the connection. Be intentional with your communication with your friends, family or associates. When checking in, use specific phrases such as, “How are you dealing with this?” or “How is the current state of the country impacting you right?” Active communication and open ended questions open the door to share different perspectives and empathy.
Protesting is encouraged
We all express our rage differently. We need people that are willing to resist and fight with their bodies. Protests are the signal of an uprising, however they are not the time to take advantage of a movement. Before you go out to protest, ask yourself, am I doing this for change or am I doing this for myself? During protests, be aware that motivations may vary. Some people are agents of chaos who are only protesting to destroy. Many of those same people will not be present for the rebuilding process and the agency of their actions may not aid the overall goals of the movement. Protesting should not resemble exploitation. At that point the intention of the protest is hijacked.
Invest in the community
Protesting with your dollars is also impactful. Refuse to support companies with racist owners and large corporations with no interest in racial equity. Donate to organizations that contribute to the advancement of the community. Many organizations do the work everyday, but are often underfunded and short staffed. Share, promote, and uplift Black businesses. Buy Black, shop small, and find other ways to use your financial privilege.
Heal, pray, cleanse, and hold space
We are neck deep in rage and weary. The stakes are high and it’s an all hands on deck situation. Recognize that healing, praying, and cleansing are all acts of resistance. Engage in community dialogue and corporate prayer. It will be hard, you will get tired, and you will need rest. Find ways to release and offer release to others. Be willing to pick up when others need a break. There must be cycling in and out in order to sustain progress. Reject mental health stigmas and seek out counseling services. Share resources for therapists, hold space for others, and prioritize your mental health.
Disrupt the unjust
If you see racist behavior, disrupt it. Use your voice to disrupt dominant narratives. Speak out. Disrupt silence among your colleagues and peers. Disrupt racist posts and hold the people being racist accountable. Expose corrupt systems and bring awareness to inequity at your organization or job. Use discernment and understand that disrupting may have consequences. Ask yourself, what am I willing to risk for the sake of justice?
Create
We need artists, musicians, writers, and filmmakers to document our current uprising. If you feel rage, express it through your art. Let your creativity provide peace and hope. If you are an artist, ask an activist or organization if you are able to assist. Use your skills and talents to drive the movement forward. Strategize ways to center liberation in your business or services.
The revolution must be intersectional
Intersectionality means that we live multi-layered lives and can face multiple oppression simultaneously. Black girls and women are facing racism and sexism. The erasure of Black women in conversations about injustice and police brutality must end. We can no longer ignore that Black trans women are murdered at disproportionate rates and rarely receive media coverage. Our children are discriminated against, targeted, and criminalized for the very essence of being Black and young. Our revolution has to consider Black people living in poverty, Black people living with disabilities, and Black people who are incarcerated. No one can be left behind or left out.
At times it may feel like we are fighting over and over with little progress. It’s exhausting and as a collective, we hope this time will work. In order to realize how far we have come we must abandon lack mindsets and build on the accomplishments of activists that have come before us. Everyone won’t be a leader, but we can all be a bridge to change. You may not get credit for your efforts or even see our demands for liberation fully actualized in our lifetime. However, we must stay the course and continue to contribute to our freedom.