Read on Twitter
A thread of things white people can (and need to) do right now:
Feel free to add to this.
Feel free to add to this.
-Speak to your families/friends about white privilege and white supremacy. You can start by telling them what has happened in recent days and telling them it upsets you. This will open up opportunity to discuss & educate
- educate yourself. Read books (I‘ll recommend some in the next tweet). Educate yourself on slavery, segregation, the civil rights movement, apartheid, the black lives matter movement. Educate yourself on the racist history of your country (AMERICA IS NOT THE ONLY RACIST COUNTRY)
- books to read: why I’m no longer talking to white people about race - Reni Eddo-Lodge, white fragility - Robin DiAngelo, me and white supremacy - Layla F Saad, the autobiography of Malcolm X, women race and class - Angela Davis.
- SPEAK UP. Even when it may feel uncomfortable. And not only when someone is being physically abused or being called a slur. Its often more subtle. Black ppl are more likely to face discrimination in the work place, by the healthcare industry, in education & by those in power.
- listen to and amplify the voices of black people. Even if you’re actively anti racist and feel like you’re educated on this, do not drown out and speak over the voices of the victims. Their experience is more valuable than our knowledge will ever be. They are living this.
- support & donate black charities and movements. You can support locally and also internationally. This morning I set up a monthly payment to support black lives matter, donate here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019">https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms...
- take action by signing (and donating to and sharing) petitions, making calls and sending emails to those in power, contact your local police stations, donate to victims. See below a thread of petitions you can support: https://twitter.com/isthisreaal/status/1265728218260258822?s=21">https://twitter.com/isthisrea... https://twitter.com/isthisreaal/status/1265728218260258822">https://twitter.com/isthisrea...
- check in on your black friends. Let them know you’re actively trying to help. Alternatively if they want space, give them it. Understand why they may be feeling resentment, hurt and anger towards white people. Listen to them and what they want you to do to help.
- non blacks people: don’t share graphic videos or images. There is no purpose other than it may traumatise people even further. It shouldn’t take a graphic video of a black person being murdered to make white people want to be an ally.
- support black authors, artists, businesses. Make sure to credit them when sharing their posts. Follow people on social media who use their platform to speak out.
- get out and actively protest (difficult if in lockdown). White people are less likely to face abuse by the police. We need to use that privilege to be on the front line fighting.
- don’t vote for racist leaders. Racist white men/parties are currently ruling the US and the UK. The public voted them in. Next time there is an election, use your vote to vote for the party who will have black peoples best interests in their policies. DONT VOTE FOR RACISTS.
