Black Lives Matter Resource Guide
I am so heartbroken with what’s going on in our country, as I’m sure you are too. I feel the need to do more & be better. Below you’ll find a list of things that not only resonate with me, but provide resources to give back & educate.
Personally, I have donated to Reclaim The Block, signed quite a few petitions like this one & am listening to the podcast, “Code Switch” around the clock. I also want to acknowledge that yes, I did say something foolish on my Instagram stories. I said something to the extent of, “it’s getting really crazy here so please stay inside.” First of all, shame on me for telling people — both of color & white like me — what to do. It’s not my place considering I’m not the one grieving & I’d never be outright killed because the color of my skin. Secondly, let this be a lesson for everyone reading so you don’t make the same mistake. THINK before you act. Before you speak. I was so stuck in the mindset of “how could this destruction be happening?!” rather than being empathetic & prioritizing the message of how incredibly WRONG the murder of George Floyd (along with plenty of other POC) was. I do agree with the Floyd family who are pleading with the nation to not riot, but that’s besides the point. It’s not my place to speak on this.
I saw something on Instagram that I believe originated on Twitter & it really stuck out to me — “Normalize changing your opinion on something after learning new information.” That is SUCH a good mindset to have & something I hope you keep reminding yourself of.
I am very grateful to have such an engaged & loyal audience — I have a platform & I need to use it to stand up for what’s right. As do all of you! Whether you have one person listening or ten thousand, do what’s right. Okay enough about me — really, this isn’t the time for me to talk about myself. It IS the time though to share resources …
Organizations to Support:
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): Mission is to secure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights in order to ensure a society where all individuals have equal rights without race-based discrimination.
George Floyd Memorial Fund: All funds collected on this website will be withdrawn to an established account for the benefit of George Floy'd’s family.
Justice for Breonna Taylor: All funds collected on this website will be withdrawn to an established account for the benefit of Breonna Taylor’s family.
I Run With Maud: This fundraiser was designed to assist Ahmaud's mother; Ms. Wanda Cooper-Jones and her immediate family with financial support during this extreme difficult time and in their struggle for justice for the murder of Ahmaud Marquez Arbery.
Minnesota Freedom Fund: The Minnesota Freedom Fund pays criminal bail and immigration bond for those who cannot afford to as we seek to end discriminatory, coercive, and oppressive jailing.
Reclaim The Block: Coalition that advocates for & invests in community-led safety initiatives in Minneapolis neighborhoods.
The Sentencing Project: The Sentencing Project works for a fair and effective U.S. criminal justice system by promoting reforms in sentencing policy, addressing unjust racial disparities and practices, and advocating for alternatives to incarceration.
Black Visions Collective: A Black, trans and queer-led organization that’s committed to dismantling systems of oppression and violence, and shifting the public narrative to create transformative, long-term change.
LDF: Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.
Philadelphia lawyers for Social Equity: PLSE provides free legal advice and representation to low-income Philadelphia residents whose criminal records are holding them back from achieving their social and career potentials
ACLU: The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.
Color of Change: Nation’s largest online racial justice organization that lead campaigns to help people respond effectively to injustice in Black communities.
Campaign Zero: Organization that uses research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in the U.S.
National Police Accountability Project: The central mission of NPAP is to promote the accountability of law enforcement officers and their employers for violations of the Constitution and the laws of the United States.
The Innocence Project: They exonerate the innocent through DNA testing and work to reform the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
Black Women’s Blueprint: Working toward a world where women and girls of African descent are fully empowered and where gender, race and other disparities are erased.
Philly Black Owned Businesses:
Podcasts to Educate:
1619
Code Switch
About Race
Seeing White
Books to Educate:
So You Want to Talk About Race by Iljeoma Oluo
White Fragility: Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In The Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Shows to Educate:
“Dear White People” directed by Justin Simien (Netflix-original series with 3 seasons): Based on the film of the same name // Follows a group of Black students at a predominantly white Ivy League college as they’re faced with cultural bias, social injustice, misguided activism and slippery politics.
“13th” directed by Ava DuVernay (Netflix-original documentary): Based on the 13th Amendment // Scholars, activist and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.
“When They See Us” directed by Ava Duvernay: Based on true story // 5 teens from Harlem are falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park.
“If Beale Street Could Talk” directed by Barry Jenkins (Hulu): Based on the novel by James Baldwin // Young couple fights for justice in the name of love and the promise of the American Dream.
I also think it’s important to include this article that serves as a resource for Mental Health Resources for POC!
Please if there are things I’m missing - tell me! I’d like to help provide as many useful resources as possible. I understand I will never understand, BUT I still stand.
