If you’re unfamiliar with the Black Lives Matter movement, first of all, where have you been? Second, it’s important to educate ourselves on these topics and moments in history so we can make better, ethical, and informed opinions and decisions that will ultimately lead to a more unified world.
With that, the Black Lives Matter is simply this: an international, human rights movement that originates from the African-American community, whose ambition is to campaign and bring awareness and change to the systematic racism toward black people.
The Black Lives Matter movement has completely taken off in the past couple of weeks. Riots, peaceful protests, petitions, fundraisers, and many forms and tools of education about racism in the world have been brought forth. There have also been recognized and statements from big cooperations and companies, celebrities, politicians, and more weighing in on the matter. People are actually listening to and recognizing this problem. We have also seen laws being changed, bills being passed, and other changes being made to our society to help the oppressed.
While this is all amazing progress, and it should not be overlooked, the fight doesn’t end after a couple of weeks. We want to keep the conversation going, continue to educate people, and bring even more change to our world in the hopes to end systematic racism in our society once and for all.
To quote John Lewis, a life-long Civil Rights leader and U.S. Representative from the state of Georgia, “Racism is an ongoing struggle. It’s not a struggle that lasts for a few days, a few weeks, a few months, or a few years. It’s a struggle of a lifetime. Maybe a few lifetimes, but you must give it all. We must continue to move our feet, continue to push and pull. Not just to make America better, but to make our planet a little better.” (Seriously, go check out his record and all the work he’s done for not only his community but the nation as a whole, it’s really inspiring).
So, let’s dive in. Here are some ways you can support the Black Lives Matter movement that includes education, donation, politics, and much more.
Right off the bat, a good place to start when you want to learn more or get involved in the Black Lives Matter Movement is to visit their website directly. Blacklivesmatter.com
Here they have different resources, programs, petitions, articles, and more to help educate and inform others about the movements’ goals and ways they are creating justice and liberation. For example, right on the homepage, they have a petition for #defundthepolice. Here you can read and learn about their call for justice in the police system by recognizing and acknowledging the police’s dehumanization of black lives and considering redistributing the money to fund other parts of the community like schools and hospitals.
They also have a web series called What Matters, a documentary-style series in which they conduct interviews that help educate and illuminate people on the current issues and create a safe space to discuss ways of promoting freedom and justice.
You can also donate directly to Black Lives Matters through their website!
Overall, this is a great place to start and really educate yourself from the source itself.
It is important to educate ourselves on the deaths of these African-Americans by police. It helps us understand the brutality, astonishing, and unnecessary killings people of color endure. There are too many to count and list, but there are a few deaths, recently, we should all know about.
If you haven’t heard about George Floyd, he is an African-American man who was arrested for using an alleged counterfeit bill. He was killed by an officer who knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes during the arrest. To read more about George Floyd’s life and his tragic death, here is a good article to check out.
Breonna Taylor is another victim, whose story rocked the world. Breonna was an EMT and dreamed of a career in health care as a nurse. She was asleep in her own apartment when police took a battery ram to her door and shot her several times. To read more about Breonna Taylor’s story, here is an article about her life and horrific death.
Ahmaud Arbery was out for an afternoon job on a Sunday through a suburban neighborhood who was followed in a truck driven by two white men who then shot and killed Ahmaud after a brief confrontation. To read more about Ahmaud’s life and unfair death check out this article.
There are countless stories like this that need to be known. Do your research. Educate yourself. Ultimately this is to help bring us compassion and push us to not give up until we create change. So, say their names and know their stories.
There are lots of places and causes to donate to that relate directly to the Black Lives Matter movement. This is a great way to give your support to a specific issue directly. Here is a list of just a few places to donate:
Minnesota Freedom Fund – They help pay criminal bail and immigration bond for those people who cannot afford to. They are helping with protesters who have been jailed or arrested while fighting for justice for the murder of George Floyd.
George Floyd Memorial Fund – This is a great way to help make George Floyd’s death one that is even more meaningful and can create further change. His family has made this GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses, counseling, and the educational and well-being of George’s children that he left behind.
Fair Fight – This organization was founded by political leader, Stacey Abrams. Fair Fight promotes fair and free elections for the state of Georgia as well as the rest of the country. They also encourage voter participation, educates voters about elections and their voting rights, and advocate for voters of color and young voters who are often suppressed.
National Police Accountability Project – This organization works to protect the human and civil rights of individuals and their encounters with law enforcement and detention personnel.
Black Trans Advocacy Coalition – This organization, led by black trans people, addresses the inequalities that black trans people face. They provide education, housing, healthcare, and more.
There are so many more places, organizations, and funds that you can donate to and show your support. Do some research on your own or check out this article with 135 ways to support black lives and people of color!
Do your research so you can support local black-owned businesses in your area. Everything from restaurants to skincare, you can find almost anything you need. It’s important to show our support for black-owned companies today and always. It’s time we start shopping local and more diverse anyway. After you look in your own community, here are some bigger black-owned companies and businesses to check out: 75 Black-Owned Businesses to Support
With today’s technology, support can be given as easily as texting or calling. The Black Lives Matter movement has put together some numbers you can text to raise and awareness and get justice for the lives of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor Here are a few numbers you can text:
Text JUSTICE to 668366
Text FLYOD to 55156
Text ENOUGH to 55156
Here is the link to the full page where you can send emails, make calls and even have pre-written templates if you’re unsure what to say to lawmakers and politicians.
You should also research the number of your local politicians and call their office and demand justice and ask them what they are going to do about the racial injustice in our society.
This can mean getting out there protesting or it can simply mean donating your time. There are lots of ways to help. You can make masks, or give away food and water to protesters. You can share posts of social media that show your support or educate others. You can create art or music that is inspired by and embraces the black community. Find a way to volunteer your time and support as much as you can.
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