Featured image: @kamyiis
On the 25th May 2020 the world witnessed another murder of a black person in the USA. George Floyd is one of many that have been brutalised by those meant to protect and serve the people. His name, like Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Michael Brown and all those that have been senselessly murdered by the Police, will not be forgotten.
We must now use our time, platform and privilege to fight for change. Racism cannot and should not be tolerated anymore. People must recognise the ignorance they surround themselves with due to their privilege. It is no longer acceptable to simply be a non-racist, we must be anti-racist. It is time to recognise the deep rooted, institutionalised, systemic and systematic racism that continues to plague our communities. We must listen to the BAME community to understand how we can create impactful reform.
“When we identify where our privilege intersects with somebody else’s oppression, we’ll find opportunities to make real change.” – Ijeoma Olu
To be anti-racist, you must actively fight against racism, by taking part in things such as, protesting, signing petitions, sharing information on racial discourse, donating, speaking up to family members and friends when they make racist comments or racial micro-aggressions and by educating yourself on your privilege, racism and how to help.
We must start by checking ourselves first. It is easy to think ‘I’m not racist’, but we must think about what stereotypes we hold, what we know and understand about different races and cultures that are not our own, and what we have been taught by society about race. We must then recognise and understand our own privilege – what have you benefited from because of the colour of your skin, how have others been treated because of their race and how you can use your privilege to help others.
“Racism is a learned affliction and anything that is learned can be unlearned.” – Jane Elliott
Petitions
Petitions are a powerful way to make change and bring justice to those that need it. They take five seconds of your time and are free. We have already seen important actions being taken due to the ongoing efforts from demonstrators and activists, but we can’t stop there. Please see below for a list of petitions that still need signing:
Julius Jones is innocent. Don’t let him be executed by the state of Oklahoma
Demand Justice for Darren Rainey
Demand a retrial for Angel Bumpass wrongfully convicted 13 year old with a life sentence
I want Sandra Bland’s case reopened
For a more extensive list of petitions that need signing please click here.
Accounts to follow
Donations
We understand that not everyone is able to donate but if you can, remember every little helps!
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Steven Lawrence Charitable Trust (UK)
Black Learning Achievement and Mental Health (UK)
Reading
Understanding and Dismantling Racism: The Twenty-First Century Challenge to White America by Joseph Barndt
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum
Me and White Supremacy: How to Recognise Your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change the World by Layla Saad
Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of an Empire by Akala
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch
Film & TV
13th
Hidden Figures
Dear White People
Becoming
#blackAF
Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement
Malcom X
Get Out
The Central Park Five
Selma
Little Fires Everywhere
Buy from Black owned businesses
Chloe Ainsley Creative – Eco friendly stationary where you can buy invitations, save the dates, on the date stationary, etc.
Freya Bramble-Carter Ceramics – Beautiful ceramic art for your home.
LIHA – They describe themselves as: “..beauty products that are, like us, a mixture of natural African roots and a quintessentially British attitude.“
Chalk – A stunning jewellery brand, where you can shop for earrings, bracelets, brooches, bracelets and necklaces.
Kosibah – Gorgeous wedding dresses for your special day.
Nubian Skin – They sell lingerie and hosiery for people of colour.
Y-Fit Wear – Gym wear that also has a Hourglass Collection for those with an hourglass figure
Podcasts
About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge
The Receipts
Slay in Your Lane
Still Processing
Code Switch
1619 by The New York Times
Yo, Is This Racist?
Seeing White
Posts
Please comment with any recommendations you have and we hope you find these helpful x
BLACK LIVES MATTER
