Black lives matter
Resources: How to be an ally
BLACK LIVES MATTER
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal” — MLK.
The mistreatment of Black people is not something new; it has been going on for centuries. If we don’t take action, beyond just words, then we become complicit and fail the future generations. We know that we have a long way to go and so much more to do but the first step of change comes with education.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start or you’re looking to become a better ally. Recognizing inherent biases and having uncomfortable conversations takes time. Learning about years of systematic oppression won’t happen overnight. And beyond learning, we each have a voice that we can use to help amplify the voices of Black people by:
- Sharing their experiences with our communities and networks
- Promoting and supporting Black creators and Black-owned businesses
- Coloring your feed. Make sure you follow diverse Black voices on social media.
- Hiring BIPOC
- Protesting
- Having open, understanding, and uncomfortable conversations with families and friends
- Speaking up when you see injustice
We’ve also rounded up some informative resources. It’s by no means a comprehensive list but it’s start and we can at least share the research so that we may extend the conversation.
Comfort is compliancy. Discomfort means change. We can do better and we must. #MuffLove ♥️
Books to read
- An Indigenous People's History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
- How To Be Less Stupid About Race by Crystal M Fleming
- Women, Race & Class by Angela Y Davis
- When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip Hop Feminist Breaks it Down by Joan Morgan
- Playing in the Dark by Toni Morrison
- The Black Woman: An Anthology by Toni Cade Bambara
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- White Tears, Brown Scars by Ruby Hamad
- How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
-
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
by Michelle Alexander - The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century by Grace Lee Boggs
- Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Dr. Brittney Cooper
- Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins
- I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X
- Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daiel Tatum, PhD
- When They Call You A Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele
Podcasts to listen to
- Friends like Us
- 1619
- Code Switch
- Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
- Pod For The Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights)
- Pod Save the People (Crooked Media)
- Seeing White
- Parenting Forward podcast episode ‘Five Pandemic Parenting Lessons with Cindy Wang Brandt’
- Fare of the Free Child podcast
- The Diversity Gap
Films and TV shows to watch
- 13th
- American Son
- Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975
- Clemency
- Dear White People
- Fruitvale Station
- I Am Not Your Negro
- If Beale Street Could Talk
- Just Mercy
- King In The Wilderness
- See You Yesterday
- Selma
- The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
- The Hate U Give
- When They See Us
- The Death and Life of Marsha P
- Do Not Resist
- Ferguson: A Report from Occupied Territory
- Let the Fire Burn
- Paris is Burning
- Uppity
- Self Made
Organizations to support
- Black Lives Matter
- Antiracism Center
- Audre Lorde Project
- Black Women’s Blueprint
- Color Of Change
- Colorlines
- The Conscious Kid
- Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
- Families Belong Together
- The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights
- MPowerChange
- NAACP
- National Domestic Workers Alliance
- RAICES
- Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
- SisterSong
- United We Dream
- Marsha P. Johnson Institute
- BlackFem
Where to donate
The Minnesota Freedom Fund has received overwhelming support and has asked donations to be directed elsewhere:
- NAACP
- Black Lives Matter
- Campaign Zero
- National Bail Fund Network
- The Bail Project
- Black Health Alliance
- Black Visions Collective
- Reclaim the Block
- North Star Health Collective
- Homeless Black Trans women fund
- Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund
Petitions to sign
- Color of Change
- Justice for Belly Munjinga
- Justice for George Floyd
- Raise the Degree
- Justice for Breonna Taylor
- Disbarment of George E. Barnhill
- Justice for Regis Korchinski-Paquet
- Hands Up Act
Black-owned businesses to support
- @honeypotco
- @glemaud
- @thesepinklips
- @soniquesaturday
- @golde
- @underthingshop
- @telshaanderson
- @thelamlabel
- @tacosnigrosla
- @harrietts_bookshop
- @briogeo
- @telfarglobal
- @thebemagugu@glemaud
- @thelipbar
- @bloomandplume
- @madamematovu
- @amberthealchemist
- @juviasplace
- @latasha.lamar
- @yam_nyc
- @brothervellies
- @kncbeauty
- @brother
- @cushnie
- @flexfactory.store
How to discover more Black-owned businesses
More anti-racism resources
- How to Donate With No Money
- Anti-racism resources for white people
- 10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
- Anti-Racism Project
- Jenna Arnold’s resources (books and people to follow)
- Rachel Ricketts’ anti-racism resources
- Save the Tears: White Woman’s Guide by Tatiana Mac
- “Why is this happening?” — an introduction to police brutality from 100 Year Hoodie
- Trevor Noah on Looting
