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We're all angry about George Floyd.
So, want to know what you can ACTUALLY do to help?
Where to donate? How to organise protests? How to stay safe around police? Where black people can find free therapy? What to read to educate yourself?
Here's how you can make a difference:
So, want to know what you can ACTUALLY do to help?
Where to donate? How to organise protests? How to stay safe around police? Where black people can find free therapy? What to read to educate yourself?
Here's how you can make a difference:
If you can afford to donate:Official George Floyd Memorial Fund:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
Minnesota Freedom Fund:
https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate
@S_LawrenceTrust:
https://www.stephenlawrence.org.uk/support-us/donate/
#BlackLivesMatter
:https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019
@LibertyHQ: https://liberty.netdonor.net/page/57463/donate/1
Things you can do for free:Post on social media. If you support change but don’t know what to say, say that, or share helpful resources. If you’re white, public comments help black people know they aren’t fighting alone & remind racists there are white people opposing them.
Contact your local Police and Crime Commissioner, and MP. In particular, PCCs are elected to make sure that local police meet the needs of the community - contact yours to express concern about the way black communities are treated.
Find your PCC here: https://www.apccs.police.uk/find-your-pcc/
Find your PCC here: https://www.apccs.police.uk/find-your-pcc/
Sign or start petitions:
Justice for George Floyd:
https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd
Petition the UK Government: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/new
Reply to UK Gov consultations:
https://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations?content_store_document_type=open_consultations&page=1
Keep an eye out for consultations labelled “Police powers”, or those to do with BAME issues.
Justice for George Floyd:
https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd
Petition the UK Government: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/new
Reply to UK Gov consultations:
https://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations?content_store_document_type=open_consultations&page=1
Keep an eye out for consultations labelled “Police powers”, or those to do with BAME issues.
Document police interactions. If you see a situation involving the police and a black person, document it without obstructing - film with your phone, and if safe, declare your presence. Hopefully, witnesses will make a difference to police behaviour - if not, there’s footage.
Don’t always call the police. Calling the police to a situation that involves black people is so dangerous we’ve literally seen it weaponised. For BAME communities, the police are not our first line of defence, so think hard before calling them.
Confront everyday racism. If you see racism in your daily life, please calmly and carefully step in, or speak up. If it isn’t safe to do so, please document it with your phone, and try to help afterwards. Don’t let racist behaviour go unchecked, or you’re allowing it flourish.
Remember that black people are traumatised. We have to see a constant stream of black people being killed in horrific ways, and watch as our families, friends, and communities are dehumanised. Label distressing material, be careful in conversation, & check in with black friends.
Dealing with the police in the UK:@YStopUK helps you protect yourself during police interactions. Here’s what to do during a stop & search:
https://y-stop.org/sites/default/files/resources/Search%20Card.pdf
Their app can tell you your rights, record police, send a complaint, & contact lawyers: https://y-stop.org/complaints
Always, always, hold police accountable if you have been mistreated, or witnessed it.
Here's the @CitizensAdvice guide to complaints:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/law-and-courts/legal-system-s/police-s/complaints-and-legal-action-against-the-police/
Independent Office for Police Conduct:
https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/complaints-and-appeals/make-complaint
I'd also recommend contacting @StopWatchUK, & the media.
Here's the @CitizensAdvice guide to complaints:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/law-and-courts/legal-system-s/police-s/complaints-and-legal-action-against-the-police/
Independent Office for Police Conduct:
https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/complaints-and-appeals/make-complaint
I'd also recommend contacting @StopWatchUK, & the media.
Serious about systemic police racism? Fight facial recognition.
A NIST study showed it's up to 100 times more likely to incorrectly target ethnic minorities than white men, and a police-organised independent review found it's wrong 81% of the time - but they're using it anyway.
A NIST study showed it's up to 100 times more likely to incorrectly target ethnic minorities than white men, and a police-organised independent review found it's wrong 81% of the time - but they're using it anyway.
Want to protest?Here’s a legal guide on organising a protest from @LibertyHQ:
https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/advice_information/how-to-organise-a-protest/
Here's a great guide on the practicalities (weather, signs, press, etc):
https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/how-to-protest.pdf
Remember, you must inform police: https://www.gov.uk/protests-and-marches-letting-the-police-know
Want to learn more?I strongly recommend the book Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by @renireni. Here’s an extract: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/30/why-im-no-longer-talking-to-white-people-about-race
Also, the book Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging, by @afuahirsch. Extract here: https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/blog/exclusive-extract-british-on-race-identity-and-belonging
Think about your privilege. This can feel tough, but white privilege simply means your life isn’t harder because you’re white, not that your life is easy.
Does something in your life support or benefit from racist societal structures? Here's a checklist:
https://sites.google.com/a/u.boisestate.edu/social-justice-training/about-us/our-training/privilege-checklist
Does something in your life support or benefit from racist societal structures? Here's a checklist:
https://sites.google.com/a/u.boisestate.edu/social-justice-training/about-us/our-training/privilege-checklist
Here are some great articles on what it's like to be black:
'When is the last time you saw a white person killed online?'
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/28/george-floyd-ahmaud-arbery-covid-emotional-toll-hits-black-families/5270216002/
The racist roots of American policing:
https://theconversation.com/the-racist-roots-of-american-policing-from-slave-patrols-to-traffic-stops-112816
'A letter to my son' by Ta-Nehisi Coates: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/tanehisi-coates-between-the-world-and-me/397619/
'When is the last time you saw a white person killed online?'
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/28/george-floyd-ahmaud-arbery-covid-emotional-toll-hits-black-families/5270216002/
The racist roots of American policing:
https://theconversation.com/the-racist-roots-of-american-policing-from-slave-patrols-to-traffic-stops-112816
'A letter to my son' by Ta-Nehisi Coates: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/tanehisi-coates-between-the-world-and-me/397619/
Want to help your kids, or students, understand racism?
BBC Bitesize on racism:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/zqvnvcw
Parental toolkit from @NBCNewsLearn:
https://www.parenttoolkit.com/social-and-emotional-development/advice/social-awareness/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-race-and-racism
Factsheets and films from @SRTRC_England: https://www.theredcard.org/resources-and-activities
BBC Bitesize on racism:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/zqvnvcw
Parental toolkit from @NBCNewsLearn:
https://www.parenttoolkit.com/social-and-emotional-development/advice/social-awareness/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-race-and-racism
Factsheets and films from @SRTRC_England: https://www.theredcard.org/resources-and-activities
If you're white, watch this very short video, and ask yourself the same, simple question. https://twitter.com/i/status/1195928604397461504
Are you black, and struggling right now?If you need immediate support with suicidal thoughts:
https://faq.whatsapp.com/en/android/28030010/
Free BAME therapy services:
https://www.baatn.org.uk/free-services/
Coping with racial trauma:
https://theconversation.com/grief-is-a-direct-impact-of-racism-eight-ways-to-support-yourself-91750
Turn off video autoplay: https://help.twitter.com/en/using-twitter/twitter-videos
Lastly, to quote the ever inspiring @repjohnlewis, don't be afraid to get into #GoodTrouble. If you see a situation where you can help, do. Use civil disobedience to fight power. Protest about things that matter, & use your privilege to protect those who can't protect themselves.
