#blacklivesmatter #storytime #georgefloyd
Welcome Karen, Dale and all shades of pale.
Today we sit down on the actual floor and talk about how race effects my life and the lives of my family.
From Time Out:
On May 25, a black man named George Floyd was killed in the US city of Minneapolis. Footage showed police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes, while Floyd repeated ‘I can’t breathe’. Chauvin has since been charged with murder for Floyd’s death. No charges have yet been filed against three other police officers present at Floyd’s killing.
Floyd’s violent death at the hands of the police triggered protests, first in Minneapolis and then in more than 200 American cities – with solidarity demonstrations taking place across the world. The protests have brought Black Lives Matter, a decentralised movement founded in 2013 in response to the killing of Trayvon Martin and other black Americans, back to prominence. Now people of all races, living in dozens of countries, are looking for ways to help.
1. Donate to causes that need funding
Following the death of George Floyd and the protests across the USA, a number of fundraising drives have been set up to support Floyd’s family, bail out protestors who have been arrested and support the wider Black Lives Matter movement. Some, like the Minnesota Freedom Fund, have raised huge amounts of money and are now redirecting donations to other organisations. Here are some US organisations that you can fund right now to support black people and help the fight against racism.
Black Lives Matter
Black Visions Collective
Reclaim the Block
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
American Civil Liberties Union
National Bail Fund Network or local bail funds across the US
National Police Accountability Project
Know Your Rights Camp
2. Show up to a protest
Throughout history, public protests have been crucial to the visibility and success of civil rights campaigns – from women winning the vote to LGBTQ+ rights. With mass public gatherings still banned in many countries, it may seem difficult to take to the streets right now. But many protests are still taking place, with social distancing and mask-wearing encouraged. And some acts of protest are being arranged that don’t need you to go any further than your doorstep.
If you are going to make your voice heard, especially in the US, here’s what you need to know before you go out to protest.
3. Sign a petition
There are a number of petitions circulating in the wake of George Floyd’s killing, and you can add your name now. #JusticeforFloyd and Justice for George Floyd are demanding that all officers present at Floyd’s death be arrested and charge with murder.
4. Show solidarity on social media
From the original #BlackLivesMatter hashtag to the social media blackout of June 2 2020, online campaigns have been one of the most effective ways for people to show support and raise their friends’ and followers’ awareness of the anti-racist movement. You could post links to resources or fundraisers, state your support and solidarity, and share anything that you’ve found helpful. Just make sure to prioritise black people’s voices and not speak over anyone with actual, lived experience of the issues at hand.
5. Get clued up about the anti-racist struggle
If you’re not black, one of the most important things you can do right now is to learn something about the situation. Read up on why people are protesting. Check out the many links being posted on social media about police brutality, racial inequality and historical injustice in the USA, the UK and other countries. As well as speaking out, take some time to listen and absorb the stories and messages coming from the black community.
(Just one thing: unless they offer, please don’t ask your black friends or people you follow on social media to spend their time helping you learn about this stuff. There are plenty of resources out there and Google is your friend.)
Think about your own prejudices too – what your emotional responses are to the current protests, and how the ways you’ve learned to behave over the years might affect how you treat the black people in your life. And if you’ve got kids, think how you could educate them differently: here are four children’s books celebrating racial diversity and inclusion.
6. Support black creators and business owners
If you want to help people at an individual level, the best way to start is by supporting black people’s creative and business endeavours. Employ black people; buy their books, music or films; donate to their Patreon pages; amplify their voices by sharing or retweeting; and patronise their shops, restaurants, cafés or bars. (We have handy guides to black-owned businesses in NYC, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles.)
7. Keep listening and learning
There will always be new ways that you can help. Keep your ears open and let black people guide your actions.