Dear White Progressives, Are You Fucking Things Up For Us?
If you’re paying attention right now, you’re angry. You’re outraged. You’re upset. And if you’re Black, you’re tired. You’re exhausted because this is the life we live every day.
First off all, if you’re white, you have a right to be angry but you have no room to be tired — or at least as tired as we are. We as Black people face this involuntarily. By default. Not by choice. We can’t leave and abandon our Blackness no matter how high in the ranks we are. As a result, we’re tired. You, on the other hand, have a choice. Of course, we appreciate that you are paying attention and choosing to assist but then again, no one should be compelled to thank you for being a decent human.
So now what? You’re angry! You want to speak on the injustices and the mass murdering of Black people. You want to fight the fight. You can do that but please be mindful.
It’s not just about reposting.
Reposting information is a simple way to get the word out. Since social media has become so saturated with information, it is hard to find valid and safe material to circulate. Many people are circulating videos that contain faces of protestors. Please don’t do this. Although these videos hold importance, lives are more important. With facial recognition and word of mouth, it’s easy to trace back the identity of protestors. What we don’t want, is for them to “mysteriously” turn up dead. Instead, if you’re capturing videos make sure you’re capturing the back of people or people wearing masks. If you’re posting videos and photos, blur out faces. Secondly, there are protests circulating that require RSVP. On one hand, this can serve as a way to keep a list of people that participated as a record in case something does happen in retaliation. On the other hand, this can also serve as a reference list on who to retaliate on. Be mindful.
And another thing, stop reposting videos of Black people getting murdered. It is disrespectful and inconsiderate. Of course, it is important that this footage exists. It serves as evidence. If you feel that you must post the video at the very least place a trigger warning before it. You do not need video footage of a murder to illustrate to a sensible human that someone has been murdered. We already know this is happening. It’s been happening. We know we’re being targeted. They know they’re targeting us. Black people don’t need convincing that this is a modern day lynching. We have been lynched for years. Lynching postcards were popular collectables for racists. People don’t need a video for convincing and if they do, they can look it up. If they need convincing, they are the ones that are part of the problem. Imagine what this does to the Black community. To see videos of our brothers and sisters getting murdered on camera, on social media over and over again is mentally damaging. To see cops get away with it is damaging. To see the cycle repeat itself is damaging. We live this life daily and to see it in a place we often seek asylum, further contributes to the damage of our mental health. Be considerate.
Being in a protest does not require you to be violent.
At the end of the day, if you’re an ally, you’re using your privilege to assist us not to hinder. If you are in a peaceful protest, keep it that way. Don’t get violent because you’re angry. Your privilege can shield you from the chaos that you may cause. Meanwhile, Black people will be the main ones facing the repercussions of your violent actions. It’s counterproductive. This is the perfect opportunity for white supremacists to destroy our community in disguise of protest. We need to be able to tell the difference between our allies and our enemies. Since you know your fair skin will be met with less aggression, use that to assist us(as much as your comfort allows). In short, don’t pop off until we say pop off.
Protesting doesn’t have to be in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Why are you traveling to Downtown LA when you live in West Hollywood? Why are you coming to Brooklyn if you live in the Upper East Side? The point of a protest is to make our voices heard all over. Protests amplify voices in areas where they aren’t being heard. Whether it results in freeway blockage or road closures, protests show who really has the power. Protests illustrate where discourse is occurring. If protests only take place in predominantly Black neighborhoods, the chance of sparking effective dialogue with people that aren’t part of our community is slim because we are surrounded by people that already understand. If you want to help, talk to your peers and neighbors. This is not to say that you can’t participate in protests that aren’t in your own community or in a predominantly Black neighborhood (or both) but expanding and shifting the position of protests changes the narrative. It shows that it’s not just an issue that Black people are upset about. Again, use your privilege for good. But also, staying in your own neighborhood is especially important if you plan on getting violent. Stay in your neighborhood. Do it there. Why? Refer to the previous paragraph above (or the title of this article).
To everyone that is not Black,
your protests start at home. Your anti-Black and racist family members are part of the problem. If you want to help, speak up. Tweeting and Instagramming on how much of an ally you are means nothing if you are not starting in your own community. Your posts are performative. If it is an uncomfortable conversation, it is probably a conversation that needs to be held (see: the concept of “white fragility”). Again, your protests start at home. That means contacting your local representatives and let your voice be heard. Remind your representatives that you vote them in. Put the pressure on. They work for you. Lastly, there is no space for you to tell Black people how to grieve, mourn, or how to react. If you don’t want to go out and protest on the street, then don’t. No one is making you.
Don’t feel comfortable protesting but want to help?
Here is a list of places donate to:
George Floyd Memorial Fund: This is the official GoFundMe for George Floyd.
I Run With Maud: This is the official GoFundMe for Ahmaud Arbery.
In Memory of Tony McDade: This is the official GoFundMe Tony McDade, a Black trans man who was shot and killed by a Tallahassee Police Department officer.
Justice for Breonna: This website contains the petition to hold the police department and Mayor accountable for their actions.
**The GoFundMe for Breonna Taylor is closed as well as the GoFundMe to assist her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, in his legal battle against the Lousiville Metro Police Department*
Minnesota Freedom Fund: “A community based nonprofit that combats the harms of incarceration by paying bail for low-income individuals who cannot otherwise afford it.
The Bail Project: “The Bail Project™ National Revolving Bail Fund provides free bail assistance to low-income individuals who are legally presumed innocent, and whom a judge has deemed eligible for release before trial contingent on paying bail.”
Black Lives Matter: “Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.”
Here is a list of accounts to follow to diversify your feed and bring awareness on what is going on in our communities:
The Unaltered: A digital safe space that highlights the voices of BIPOC.
No White Saviors: No White Saviors is an advocacy campaign led by a majority female, majority African team of professionals based in Kampala, Uganda.
Decolonize This Place: “Action-oriented movement: Indigenous struggle, Black liberation, free Palestine, workers, degentrification, dismantle patriarchy”
The Stoop: The Stoop podcast goes into stories about black life that aren’t talked about enough. Hosts Leila Day and Hana Baba combine journalism and storytelling to dig deep into conversations about the black diaspora.
Code Switch: “Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race head-on. We explore how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and everything in between.”
WoC Solidarity: “ A space for WOC by WOC to Heal, Educate, Elevate, Liberate, Create, Vibe n talk our shit.”
Here is a list of organizations/people/accounts that are assisting in the well being of our people:
Ron Finley: Most known for his TED talk on guerilla gardening. The “Gangsta Gardener” dedicates his time as a community leader in South Central LA. “He wants to sweep up and transform his street, his hood, the city of LA and communities everywhere.” One meal at a time.
Blk Temple: A creative sanctuary in Los Angeles. “Disrupting comfort zones & liberating hearts.” *Does guided meditation, yoga, and many other self healing workshops. Also takes donations. *
Noname’s Books: Founded by rapper, Noname. “Noname’s Book Club is an online/irl community dedicated to uplifting POC voices. In 2020 we also want to raise funds to send our monthly picks to select prisons in various cities.”
Hood Herbalism: “A BIPOC Community Herbal education Project”
Ethel’s club: “A social and wellness club designed to celebrate people of color, online and IRL.” *Currently holding healing & grieving group sessions for the Black community*
Our Own: “Our Own is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to build and strengthen communities through consistent, life-changing experiences. We create access to resources for mental, physical, and emotional health to support the underserved.”
Black Girl Magik: “Black Girl Magik is a global movement creating safe spaces for Black women and girls (both gen-z and millenials) to voice, listen and encourage each other with unconditional vulnerability and honest acceptance.”
Veggie Mijas: “WOC/NBPOC/TPOC Collective. Community. Recipes. Resources. Environmental justice. Animal Liberation. For & by the hood.
Reparations Club: “Reparations Club is a concept shop & creative space curated by Blackness & POC in Los Angeles, CA.” Often partners with Noname’s Books. Shop online for books and apparel curated by BIPOC.
Here is a list of books to get informed about the racist system and the affects we are facing today:
They Can’t Kill Us All by Wesley Lowery: “A deeply reported book that brings alive the quest for justice in the deaths of Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and Freddie Gray, offering both unparalleled insight into the reality of police violence in America and an intimate, moving portrait of those working to end it.”
The Condemnation of Blackness: “Chronicling the emergence of deeply embedded notions of Black people as a dangerous race of criminals by explicit contrast to working-class whites and European immigrants, The Condemnation of Blackness reveals the influence such ideas have had on urban development and social policies.
Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria?: “ Beverly Daniel Tatum, a renowned authority on the psychology of racism, argues that straight talk about our racial identities is essential if we are serious about enabling communication across racial and ethnic divides. These topics have only become more urgent as the national conversation about race is increasingly acrimonious.”
The Color Complex (Revised): “Now including a wealth of new information since the first edition of The Color Complex over two decades ago, the authors, through a historical and sociological lens, have measured the impact of recent pop culture events effecting race relations to determine whether colorism has gotten better or worse over time.”
#BuyBlack
Because the quantity of Black businesses around the globe is constantly increasing, it would make more sense to provide a list of apps that you can use to find them in your location rather than composing a list.
Here are some apps to help you find Black businesses*:
*These links redirect to the Apple App Store. To find them in the Google Play Store, please search the listed name of the app.
