What IF this is the most important year of them all? How quickly our mentality has turned from thinking 2020 was the worst to possibly the best.
First and foremost, I want to make it clear about where I stand. Black Lives Matter. I am for systematic change. I am for the rights of my BIPOC brothers and sisters.
I almost feel like I don’t have the right to be sad in this time because I know my pain doesn’t come close to what black people have experienced in America. But it hurts me. I am doing everything in my power to change and to help.
There have been a lot of lists going around about how to educate yourself and resources to help. Yup… I’m another one of those people. I think this stuff cannot be over communicated.
First of all... there's been a big debate on #blacklivesmatter vs #alllivesmatter. I read something that squashed the whole thing:
Bob is sitting at the dinner table. Everyone gets a plate of food except Bob. Bob says "Bob deserves food". Everyone at the table responds with "Everyone deserves food" and continues eating. Although 'everyone deserves food' is a true statement, it does nothing to actually rectify the fact that BOB HAS NO FOOD.
Aaaaaand... CLARITY.
FOLLOW Black Lives Matter. Go to their website. Follow them on instagram. They are incredible! @blklivesmatter
WAYS TO DONATE:
Visit the National Bail Fund Network and help bail out those who are protesting on the ground.
Support the Equal Justice Initiative. They provide legal representation to people who have been wrongly convicted, unfairly sentenced or abused in state jails and prisons.
Donate to a mutual aid fund. Mutual aid funds work to address homelessness and systemic inequalities by offering all sorts of community assistance, from providing food to financial help to people in need. Here are a few.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/covid19-mutual-aid-network
https://www.atlantamutualaid.org/
https://www.gofundme.com/f/blmcovid
SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES:
Black-owned businesses often have trouble securing loans and had issues accessing federal aid programs designed to alleviate the economic burden for small businesses struggling to stay afloat amid stay-at-home orders.
VICE has a guide on how to find black-owned restaurants by state. New York Magazine has a list of not just food companies but also beauty, clothing and fitness brands among others. If you live in the Bay Area, the SFist has a comprehensive guide on how to find black-owned businesses to support. Eater has guides on black-owned restaurants in various cities, from Nashville to New York City.
EDUCATE YOURSELF:
TIME has curated lists on books to read and movies to watch to teach yourself about racism and protest history.
I hope all of this is helpful... it has been to me!
With so much love,
Annie.
