The past two months in the United States have felt like a whirlwind of emotions. The death of George Floyd has been a catalyst for what feels like a modern Civil Rights movement. As a white person, the struggles of BIPOC people really hasn't always been at the forefront of my mind. But why is that? It's not like racism isn't alive and well in 2020. It's insane when I think about it that it took this long for so many of us to wake up and understand that we need to be actively involved in dismantling systemic racism, but now that the wake up call is here, the momentum shouldn't stop.
I want to make it clear that I do not think I'm by any means an authority on this subject; I know that I'm not, but I am trying to put in the work to better myself and share simple things that we can all do. My platform may not be huge, but this is my space and I want to use even the small reach that I have to discuss what's going on. This isn't for a pat on the back; so many of these actions are really the bare minimum and come at no personal cost other than opening your mind and educating yourself. When compared to the violence and racism faced by Black people, these small actions are no comparison. The goal is to make this country a safer space for everyone. Black Lives Matter.
One way to get involved is writing to people in power regarding injustices that have taken place. Emailing and calling these people costs nothing but your time. George Floyd's murderers may have been charged, but there are so many others who have been killed with no justice served. Breonna Taylor's murderers are still walking free today. There's debate on how effective petitions are, but why not do both. It takes less than five minutes. Writing the emails out in your own words instead of copying someone else's is recommended so that they are more likely to be read, but a quick Google search will tell you who you should be writing them to. For example, you can demand justice for Breonna by emailing attorney.general@ag.ky.gov, greg.fischer@louisvilleky.gov, and robert.schroeder@louisvilleky.gov.
The next thing that we all should be doing, no excuses, is voting. Presidential elections aren't the only ones that matter- vote in every single local election. These smaller local roles play into the larger picture. You want people in your community representing your beliefs. Get registered and check your registration leading up to the election. It is common for people to become unregistered, and you want to make sure that your vote counts. Do your research on the candidates; voting straight down your party line isn't the same as researching their actual platforms. We need more candidates that truly represent their communities; aging caucasian men don't speak for all of us, yet are elected to public office more than any other group.
If you're like me and hadn't actively researched systemic racism before, there is so much helpful media out there. If you have Netflix and haven't watched 13th already, I think it's the perfect jumping off point. It goes over the loophole in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution that allows modern day slavery to persist in prisons, and how disproportionately Black and other POC are imprisoned. Another Netflix production by the extremely talented Ava DuVernay that covers racism in the criminal justice system is When They See Us. I waited so long to watch this because I knew it would hurt, but that's the point. It is a horrifying story that five innocent men lived through, and we should all be aware of. You will be outraged and angry and you should be. The acting in the series is phenomenal, and the story is absolutely gut wrenching. Those are just two examples, there is a whole Black Lives Matter category on Netflix. Watch what interests you! If Podcasts are your thing, check out 1619. It is a few quick episodes on different Black experiences in the United States following slavery, from Black sound defining the music industry to discrimination in health care and business loans.
Books have been another extremely useful educational tool for me. So far I've read through and can highly recommend the following: White Rage by Carol Anderson, The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, and How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. These books gave me a great insight as to what is wrong with our current system, and what I can do to help change things. If I had to pick one, I would say start with How to Be an Antiracist. I love Ibram X. Kendi's writing that blends his own personal experiences and actionable items that we can take to work actively toward being antiracist. My Goodreads list has quite a few more titles that I want to get through- a lot of Angela Davis works on there that I'm excited to start, she is a fascinating woman. Purchasing these books is a great way to put money into the pockets of Black authors (extra points purchasing from a Black owned bookstore), but if you don't have the funds renting from your local library is a fantastic way to go. If you have a Kindle and haven't rented eBooks using your library card yet, you're missing out! Whether the information comes from a television show, Podcast, or book, there is so much history out there that has been whitewashed and we must revisit and relearn.
Donating money to groups supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, or just racial equality in general is another great way to make a difference. Well known groups like the NAACP or ACLU Foundation have automatic monthly donations if this is feasible for you, but even a one time donation helps. There are a ton of bail funds and other groups who could use donations right now as well; if you want to donate, I encourage you to research and choose an organization whose work is important to you. On a local level for myself, Don't Shoot PDX is an amazing non-profit in Portland that is really at the forefront of the protests going on right now.
Last but not least, shopping Black owned businesses is a fantastic way to show your support for the Black community. The past few weeks have put some incredibly talented folks in the spotlight. I have another upcoming post that I'm working on featuring some of the fantastic Black owned businesses I have either discovered or already loved. If you're on the hunt for a specific item, take a look to see if there is a Black owned business that you can purchase it from. White privilege means that Black business owners often don't see the same opportunities that white business owners do. Historically, Black businesses have been pushed out of their own neighborhoods due to gentrification- something that is especially prevalent in Portland. On the other end of that, not supporting businesses whose views don't align with yours is powerful. Spending can definitely be a political statement, and I know that the statement that I want to make is that inclusion is important. My focus with this blog tends to be geared toward makeup, and there are unfortunately many brands who are still not coming out with inclusive shade ranges. Why am I continuing to purchase until we can all enjoy? Think about this when eating out as well. I've made it a point to check out more Black owned food joints in Portland and have discovered some new favorites. Fat Cupcake and Kee's Loaded Kitchen are two spots that I recently tried for the first time that are absolutely stellar, if you're in the area. A lot of cities have great lists going, Google yours and see what's out there.
I cannot stress enough that I know that I am not perfect and will likely make mistakes along the way, but I am always open to discussion about what myself and others can do better to reach the ultimate goal of equality and equity for all.
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