Following the tragic news surrounding the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, many people are asking themselves, ‘what can I do, what can I say, what action can I take?’ to eradicate systematic racism and fight for justice.
Overt and covert racism isn’t just an American problem. It’s a worldwide injustice. We are all accountable for the energy and actions that cause harm to BIPOC. We must ask more of ourselves and our friends and interrogate tough truths; to lean into the discomfort and denial and seek to understand our privilege as white people and what that power and protection has afforded us.
It’s never too late to cultivate change, empathy and education. To be better and do better. If you’re wondering where to start with your learning, or how to dismantle institutional racism in your own life and immediate circles – because, yes, it exists – we’ve rounded up some insightful resources to help you begin this life-long work.
It’s not up to our black friends to do the work, they are exhausted enough and still, we dare to ask more of them; to carry more weight for us. Enough.
The obligation to challenge the ways white supremacy resides within you is no one else’s job but your own. We all have to put in the work to undo the silence. Start now – speak up, be an active ally and, if nothing else, make it a priority to listen and learn.
Now more than ever, we need to use our voices to verbalise a narrative that doesn’t belong to us but that was systematically created by us, and to keep the volume up until black people and POC can breathe.
Below is by no means a comprehensive list, and we will look to constantly update it. If you think we are missing something important, drop it in the comments.
Accounts you can follow
Nova Reid – @Novareidoffical on Instagram Nova runs in depth and comprehensive anti racism courses. For anyone in a financial position to do so the knowledge you gain about becoming a better ally to POC is invaluable.
Munroe Bergdorf – @Munroebergdorf on Instagram
Donté Colley – @Dontecolley on Instagram
Stephanie Yeboah – @StephanieYeboah on Instagram – be sure to check out Stephanie’s IGTV ‘I’m tired of the white tears’ Her blog, her book, and her Patreon here. Steph has also hosted a Tuesday Takeover on Zoella, you can watch it here.
Chrissy Rutherford – @Chrissyford on Instagram. Chrissy uploaded a very helpful IGTV titles “It’s not enough to just say “I’m not racist”
Nicole Ocran – @Nicoleocran on Instagram. Nicole’s BLM highlight is really insightful and points out the emotional labour that POC go through when white people continually ask for help/directions/resources.
Jameela Jamil – @JameelaJamilOfficial on Instagram
Florence Given – @Florencegiven on Instagram
Rachel Elizabeth Cargle – @Rachel.cargle on Instagram.
Layla F. Saad – @Laylafsaad on Instagram Layla is the author of Me and White Supremacy.
Dom Roberts – @Domrobxtrts on Insgagram.
The Grief Case – @Thegriefcase on Instagram. Specifically, take a look at this post about supporting black communities.
The Conscious Kid – @theconsciouskid on Instagram. If you are a parent take a look at this post discussing the idea that children may be ‘too young’ to learn about race issues and how racism can be reinforced by the silence of white care givers.
Mireille C Harper – @Mireillecharper on Instagram. Be sure to read her post on education and advice regarding non-optical-allyship.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – @AOC on Instagram congresswoman for NY has been sharing helpful information for those protesting.
Janaya Future Khan – @Janayathefuture on Instagram. Janaya has uploaded a live-stream to her IGTV aimed at white people only, to teach and educate, for people wanting to know what else they can do to help.
Gal-Dem Magazine – @galdemzine on Instagram.
From Privilege to Progress – @Privtoprog on Instagram.
Yazzie – @Standforhumanity on Instagram. Yazzie has also hosted a Tuesday Takeover on Zoella, you can watch it here.
Black Lives Matter – @Blklivesmatter on Instagram.
Books you can read
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge. Reni is also asking people who buy her book to purchase from small independent sellers or better yet borrow from a friend and spend the money on donating.
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. Find Robin’s other literature, podcasts, articles and more here.
I Am Not Your Baby Mother by Candice Braithwaite
So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a world made for whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
Shows, Documentaries and Ted Talks you can watch
When They See Us – Netflix – “Five teens from Harlem become trapped in a nightmare when they’re falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park. Based on the true story”
I Am Not Your Negro – Documentary Amazon – “The memoir recounts the lives of James Baldwin’s close friends and civil rights leaders Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Medgar Evers.”
What happens when I try to talk race with white people – YouTube – Insightful short video ft Renni Eddo-Lodge (author of Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race) that really succinctly sums up the issues at play when discussing racism with white people. Easy and accessible language amongst maybe some of the more academic content online.
White People, Enough: A Look at Power and Control | Jaelyn Coates | TEDxCSU
Let’s get to the root of racial injustice | Megan Ming Francis | TEDxRainier
Not all Superheros wear capes-how you have the power to change the world | Nova Reid | TEDxFrankfurt
Petitions you can sign
List of petitions you can sign from Black Lives Canada – This includes area codes you can use if you are not based in the US
Change.org petition for jusitce for George Floyd
Black Lives Matter petition to defund the police
Places you can donate
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund Go Fund Me Page
List of funds for victims from Black Lives Matter
List of ways you can donate to help protestors
Important places you can donate to including the BLM Fund
Protest Information
Important information and numbers for those protesting in the US
What to bring and wear to a protest
Articles you can read
Why You Need to Stop Saying “All Lives Matter” By Rachel Cargle
10 Habits of Someone Who Doesn’t Know They’re Anti-Black
How to be a white ally by Stephanie Yeboah (Patreon)
100 Ways White People Can Make Life Less Frustrating For People of Color
Podcasts you can listen to
Code: Switch NPR – “Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race head-on.” Explores everything from pop culture, to politics, to sport. Race impacts every part of life.
Momentum: A Race Forward – Features movement voices, stories, and strategies for racial justice.
Intersectionality Matters! – Intersectionality Matters! is a podcast hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American civil rights advocate and a leading scholar of critical race theory.
About Race – Hosted by Reni Eddo-Lodge
Nova Reid and Vicki & Selina from loveprojectlove – A powerful conversation about race, racism and white privilege with Nova Reid
