Topic #35 What Can I DO? (Really? Again?)

*I always try to keep my posts invitational. This one fails at that.

What Can I DO? (Really? Again?) 

See post #21 which I wrote after Charlottesville and looks a lot like this one. For folks asking this question again, please take an honest inventory about whether you are only interested in the answer to this question after you are feeling particularly bad because of a tragic event that gets news coverage (i.e. for which you, personally, have evidence). Racism occurs every hour of every day in our country, with consequences ranging from the cumulative life altering effects of constant micro-aggressions to the loss of life. If we truly listened to people of color we would have all the information we need to know in order to diagnose the problem and get to work in solving it. But we don't listen. So here we are. Again.

Yes, this incident is intolerable and unacceptable. And every incident is intolerable and unacceptable whether or not it is captured on video, and whether or not you personally hear about it. So here is a (sadly, very easily adapted) repost of what I wrote after Charlottesville to folks who continue to respond by asking, "What can I do?"

The murders of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have ignited new interest from white people around fighting racism and white supremacy. If you are a white person new to anti-racist activism, or you aren't quite there yet but you want to know more, here are the resources I recommend to help you gain a better understanding of this most recent tragedy and the overarching issue of racism in America. These hyperlinked items are just a starting point:

Read:
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

For white people seeking to understand and articulate issues about racism racial justice

please explore this list of Anti-Racism Resources
Here is a self directed guide: 

Watch: 
Traffic Stop (HBO)
13th (Netflix)

Follow:
Liking anti-racist groups on Facebook is a great way to add this important topic to your daily newsfeed (don't forget to select "see first" from the Following options after you "like" their page, so you get everything):
Showing Up for Racial Justice
White People Challenging Racism
White Nonsense Roundup

Use Your Resources:
Donate to Black Lives Matter. Find your local chapter and donate there, too.
Sign up to make a monthly donation to Southern Poverty Law Center’s sustained work against racism. May I recommend $25/month? Let's be honest- you won't miss it.

Join:

Anti-racism organizations are committed to long term work toward racial justice. Become an active member. I recommend Showing Up for Racial Justice for white people who are new to this work. Find your local chapter here.

  
If you are a really good and progressive person, but you just aren't sure this is for you, please read my previous blog entry, here, and if you have an hour to dedicate (which you do), start from the beginning of my Anti-Racism Blog as a good starting place for catching up.

If you are ready to consider joining the fight against white supremacy and working toward racial justice, you are needed and welcome. Now get to work!