Right now we are seeing what we hope is a turning point for those among us who are brutalized and treated as less than the rest of us. You may want to do something but ask yourself “how can I help?” I have some thoughts.
Don’t Listen to Me
First of all, I would say don’t listen to me. I don’t mean that you shouldn’t hear what I’m saying, but you should be listening far more to people in the group that is crying out.
When George Floyd was killed, people weren’t upset about a single event, but about something that’s been going on for generations. If you don’t see that, you aren’t listening, which is exactly what you need to do.
So if you’re asking how can I help I’m going to point you to people you need to be listening to.
Listen to Black Voices
If you want to know how you can help, first and foremost, listen. I came across this post that provides a lot of good reading, viewing and listening ideas to better understand what Black people are experiencing:
What’s more, purposefully follow people whose experiences are different from yours. I’ve provided a list of people you can follow who can connect you to a different way of looking at things.
If you struggle to listen to these people because their viewpoints are different, I would ask you why. Why is your view different to the point you can’t listen? Now is the time to hear what people who are hurting are saying. Why is that difficult?
I hope you’re asking how can I help. Here’s how.
Donate
Donate. Donate money to worthy causes. Donate time to peaceful protests in your area so that people listen. Donate work that can help. Here are a few ways to help:
Donate money to these groups:
Donate time to peaceful protests, your own education, and the education of others. It’s important to know that it’s not enough to not be racist, you have to be anti-racist.
Finally, donate your voice. If you are white like me, this isn’t about us. Yes, all lives matter, but all lives don’t struggle the way Black lives do. Here’s a perfect illustration of that concept:
You need to amplify Black voices. You need to let others speak. Share the things that Black people are saying on social media. You need to use your voice or platform to hand the mic to others who have something to say.
If you are still asking how can I help, here are some resources:
