Hey folks, I thought it might be helpful to put a load of resources on ways to help in one space. I’ll highlight the level of cost (£) and effort (✊-✊✊✊) to suit your situation.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t just an issue in the US – the UK is far from innocent from systemic racism. George Floyd’s death has shone a bright light on an issue that affects every country and the internet has brought us together to fight against it.
.
Educate Yourself 📚
£0 / ✊✊
There are lots of lengthy articles on racism, though I’ve mainly linked easy-to-digest content here because it can otherwise get overwhelming really quickly. There is so much more to absorb, but this is a start:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Articles:
- 5 Things You Need To Stop Saying If You Really Care About Fighting Racism
- My white friend asked me to explain white privilege, so I decided to be honest
- How to Respond to Common Racist Statements
.
Speak Up 📣
£0 / ✊✊
Call people out when others are being racist, in a way to educate rather than attack. Silence is compliance and unfortunately, too much of it is what leads to situations we’re in now.
Not just other people, but yourself too. It’s a difficult and uncomfortable thing to do, but if we don’t lean into them and learn about our biases, then we can’t also learn to correct them. I admire how the calligrapher, Ian Barnard, was very honest about his past ignorance and acknowledged how he needs to work on it moving forward:
.
Share Useful Information 🖱️
£0 / ✊
Most of us use social media. If you come across useful information that might help educate others, please pass it on.
If you learn that, after posting, something you said wasn’t technically correct, be gracious about it. Acknowledge the feedback, learn from it and either edit/delete your post and be more mindful with future ones.
.
Write to Your Local MP 🖋️
£0 / ✊✊
The UK is selling tear gas, riot shields and rubber bullets to the US, which are being used on protesters in excessive force. Sending a letter to your local MP can add pressure to stop Britain profiteering in people’s suffering.
– Click here to download a letter template –
To quote a friend who shared this, “…capitalize Black. And be specific: type Black, Asian and / or minority ethnic rather than retreating to the comfort of acronyms“
.
Protest ✊🏿
£0-? (depending on cost of travel) / ✊✊✊
If there is a formal protest near where you live, you can show solidarity by showing up. Given the current circumstances with COVID-19, please protest in the safest away possible when participating: wear a mask, bring hand sanitiser and maintain social distancing (min. 2m from other households) throughout your stay.
We’ll be attending the on in Cardiff tomorrow (06/06/2020), but if it gets too big or if people aren’t respectful of these boundaries, we’ll head home. These are not normal circumstances and we still need to consider our health and those around us.
(click here for advice for if you are stopped by the police)
.
Let Ads Run During BLM Videos 👀
£0 / ✊
If you’re strapped for cash, you can help charities raise money by not skipping ads on videos such as the ones listed here.
Funds go towards bailing out protesters from arrest.
.
Donate to Charity 👛
£5+ / ✊
(Many of these have been extracted from an inews.co.uk article by Charlie Duffield, of whom I owe credit for the research and writing)
Black Lives Matter (US)
“Black Lives Matter began as a call to action in response to state-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism. Our intention from the very beginning was to connect Black people from all over the world who have a shared desire for justice to act together in their communities. The impetus for that commitment was, and still is, the rampant and deliberate violence inflicted on us by the state.”
.
Black Lives Matter (UK)
“Black Lives Matter UK (BLMUK) is a coalition of black activists and organisers across the UK. We’ve been organising since 2016 for justice in our communities.
We’re guided by a commitment to dismantle imperialism, capitalism, white-supremacy, patriarchy and the state structures that disproportionately harm black people in Britain and around the world. We build deep relationships across the diaspora and strategise to challenge the rise of the authoritarian right-wing across the world, from Brazil to Britain.”
.
George Floyd’s Memorial Fund (US)
…is crowdfunding to cover Mr Floyd’s funeral and burial expenses, as well as mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist his family and children in their continuing fight for justice.
.
The Innocence Project (US)
…is committed to exonerating individuals who have been wrongly convicted
.
Black LGBTQIA Therapy Fund (UK)
…is fundraising for therapy sessions for black LGBTQIA+ persons aged 18+.
.
Black Minds Matter (UK)
…is fundraising to offer free therapy sessions for black individuals and families in the UK with certified, professional, black practitioners for sessions as soon as possible.
.
Black Protest Legal Support UK
…is a hub of Lawyers and legal advisors providing free legal advice and representation to UK Black Lives Matter activists and protesters.
.
The Stephen Lawrence Trust (UK)
…work with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds aged 13 to 30 to inspire and enable them to succeed in the career of their choice.
.
The United Families & Friends Campaign (UK)
…is a coalition of those affected by deaths in police, prison, immigration and psychiatric custody.