How to Stay Active in the Black Lives Matter Movement
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by four police officers. What happened on that day is unconscionable, but devastatingly, it is nothing new. While it feels like the world has just woken up to the systemic issues that have been setting the black community back for the past 400+ years, what can we do to ensure that this movement keeps up momentum? Here’s a list of resources we pulled together for our team, which we’d like to share with you.
First of all, be sure to follow the Black Live Matter movement directly. This way you can sign up for your local chapter and stay on top of local and national events. There have been quite a few (virtual) town halls with associated organizations that are rich in information.
Attend a protest in your area. That is, of course, if you feel comfortable. Let’s not forget that there is a global pandemic.
READ, WATCH, LISTEN. NPR has a great list of books, films, and podcasts to learn more about racism. Education is key. There is so much to learn.
Follow and learn! Your follow on social media can be huge in keeping up momentum in the fight to be anti-racist. Here are some of our favorite accounts and their descriptions to follow:
@bldpwr Build Power: engages with athletes & entertainers to use their platform to advance radical social change & dismantle systemic oppression.
@kendrick38 Kenrick Sampson: you may recognize Kendrick from Insecure and Supernatural, but did you know he’s a leader in the fight for social justice?
@mvmnt4blklives Movement for Black Lives: M4BL is a national network of over 150 leaders and organizations creating a broad political home for Black people to learn, organize, and take action.
@showingupforracialjustice Showing Up for Racial Justice: a national network of groups & individuals organizing white people for racial justice.
@inthistogether_la In This Together LA: growing solidarity, support, & mutual aid in LA.
@wp4bl White People for Black Lives: a Los Angeles-based collective of white folks organizing for racial justice in solidarity with @blmlosangeles. Chapter of @showingupforracialjustice.
@justicelanow Justice LA: A grassroots coalition leading the campaign to stop incarceration in LA.
@nowhitesaviors No White Saviors: We never said “no white people”. We just know you shouldn’t be the hero of the story. If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not listening.
Get involved! Volunteer, support, and VOTE. VOTE VOTE VOTE. Be sure to educate yourself on your local elections as well as the larger (presidential) ones.
Support on a financial level! There are tons of ways to support. One that we find super important is this Fundraiser for Black Sex Worker Relief Fund. Money raised will be used to house sex workers and help create resources for strippers and other sex workers nationwide. Sex workers are not only at a higher risk for police brutality but are being hit hard financially because of the pandemic. Help if you’re able!
Of all the things you can do, keeping up the momentum is the biggest thing. Make an effort to learn something new every day, register to vote, and fight the system!
Oh, and arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor and Elijah McClain.