BLACK LIVES MATTER
With the ongoing events in our country, I’ve taken time to reach out to my Instagram audience, but, have not done so on here. While I don’t much use this platform for updates, I wanted to give some + assist in spreading resources, links + general thoughts because I refuse to be one more complacent white person in obstructing the current uprooting + rebellion that is so desperately needed in our country.
I want to begin by making it abundantly clear, ALL people are welcome in my life/little sliver of the internet UNLESS you are (by self admittance or through actions + behaviors) racist, sexist, transphobic, homophobic, xenophobic, fatphobic, have voted for or continue to support Trump etc. You have two choices. 1) remain in your ways, refuse to educate yourself, come to terms with your privileges + hate - unfollow me now. I’ve likely already unfollowed/unfriended you to begin with. 2) BE BETTER + educate yourself (doing a google search, referencing many of the listed resources, donating to the various funds, etc.) will get you right on your way to being a part of the SOLUTION! WITHOUT HESITATION, I FIRMLY BELIEVE UNTIL ALL OF US ARE FREE, NONE OF US ARE FREE. If you have remained neutral (silent) in this situation (and others surrounding racial injustices + issues) you have CHOSEN the side of the oppressor. It is (and has for some time) no longer been enough to not be racist, we must actively + unapologetically be anti-racist. I’ve outlined some thoughts + placed various resources (links) at the bottom. Please use them. Please think deeply + act accordingly to move our country + lives of ALL humans forward. #BLACKLIVESMATTER
ON (NATIONAL) LEADERSHIP
During a pandemic + civil rights + human rights event, the President has spent time on social media platforms ENCOURAGING + THREATENING to shoot PEACEFUL PROTESTORS. Not only is this a LITERAL EXAMPLE of white supremacy, this is an act directly in opposition to which the Presidential role is intended to carry out. We cannot eradicate racism under a “leader” who openly uses hate speech, incites violence specifically on POC, and time and time again makes it abundantly clear he supports both literally + ideologically white supremacy.
ON THE REBELLION (PROTESTS)
Riots + looting are legitimate + PROFOUND forms of protest. If you consider “violence is not the answer” perhaps you do not acknowledge that peaceful, non-violent protesting HAS been happening IN ADDITION to the fact that it is (arguably) impossible to overcome such injustices through a system built to further OPRESS those who need justice the most. Our systems were not intended to benefit all, they were intended + continue to be intended to benefit some (aka wealthy white folks). Riots are not the problem - they are a symptom of the problems. Do not be convinced broken glass + spray painted property is violence. HUNGER, WAR, RACISM, POVERTY + EXTENSIONS OF THESE THINGS ARE VIOLENCE.
Take into consideration how quickly some states (and general federal rhetoric has pushed for) opening back up states during the pandemic. These pushes were SOLELY for monetary + economic purposes. Once again, stay at home orders + curfews are being placed across the country in the name of profit (monetary +economic purposes). While you may not, every day, be at risk of losing your life because of the color of your skin you should be appalled by this blatant show of our nation + society’s value of profit > human life.
Folxs risking their lives in the midst of a pandemic are not risking COVID for their hair cuts, dining in + leisure. They are risking their lives for human rights. If that difference is not clear to you, you are part of the problem. Police brutality IS a public health issue + crisis that MUST be addressed. A side note on this I’ve found profound from Twitter - “when covid came w warning, the US didn’t have enough masks, PPE or tests. When the peaceful protest came, they were ready with tear gas, rubber bullets, flash guns, and tactical gear for cops in multiple cities. it really shows where the priorities in the country are” ) @beyabean.
While you may personally only be exposed to particular videos of what is occurring, look into who is actually instigating this violence (fires, property damage, etc.) Multiple arrests already have been made by those inciting these things and have been tied to white nationalist groups. Folxs unequivocally not related to or in the interest of furthering BLM movements are purposefully inciting violence to make a PEACEFUL movement look violent. As for the police brutality taking place across the nation onto PEACEFUL + NONVIOLENT PROTESTORS, that is the violence you should be so outraged by. There are videos widely available (though as someone having survived a publicly violent trauma, I must warn you they are incredibly triggering) of POLICE vehicles plowing into crowds, POLICE shooting rubber bullets without care + without provocation (and even with provocation should not be done). POLICE are TEAR GASSING peaceful protestors, including CHILDREN. While there have been some instances across the country of officers actively standing in solidarity with BLM movement + protestors, we can not chalk every positive experience with police to mean “not all police” & that “a few bad apples” is acceptable. There are certain jobs that CAN NOT have bad apples (various bits on this can be found, specifically one piece by Chris Rock). Additionally, we can not ignore the fact that institutionalized racism is the backbone of our criminal justice system, including its enforcement via police.
As for the protests overall, LEAVE THE FLOOR TO BLACK ORGANIZERS. Take their cues - they are here to decide action, we (white folks protesting) are there to PROTECT THEM to assist in using our privilege (to typically not be brutalized by police) to ELEVATE their ability to share their message + other desired actions. We have been hoisted since the moment colonizers set foot on this land (stolen land) through blood, sweat, murder + violence to be heard + live lives of privilege. It is our time to do the BARE MINIMUM to protect + hoist their voices + goals + messages up.
While these bits certainly are not all of my feelings, thoughts, etc. on what is happening (and has been happening for centuries) I wanted to publicly state that I acknowledge even my own work needing to be done to be a better ally, to continue to be even more actionable (continuing to donate, offer resources, speak out in my home + inner + outer circle, sharing POC creators on social platforms + actively supporting + loving on them). I hope to learn + grow and become the ally we all need us to be. I will fail - I will do so imperfectly - but I promise to never, ever give up trying to be better + elevate every aspect of the lives of people of color. With so much pain, anger, hurt in the world + work to do, I wanted to end this portion with this. If you are reading this - feeling pain, grief, sadness, anger, hopelessness; if you are reading this imperfect + willing to change + learn + grow and become an actionable ally, you are LOVED. You are WORTHY of the most basic of human rights. You are CARED FOR and NEEDED. You are IMPORTANT, GENTLE, POWERFUL, BEAUTIFUL and MAGICAL. I am thankful you are alive - this world needs you.
RESOURCES (BAIL FUNDS + DONATIONS)
ULTIMATE LIST OF CITY-SPECIFIC BAIL FUNDS
RESOURCES (FOR BECOMING A BETTER ALLY, LEARNING ABOUT WHITE PRIVILEGE, ETC)
100 WAYS WHITE PEOPLE CAN MAKE LIFE LESS FRUSTRATING FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR
BOOKS TO EXPLAIN RACISM (STOP ASKING POC TO DO IT FOR YOU)
MEGA LIST OF ANTI-RACIST RESOURCES
A VISUALIZATION ON WHITE SUPREMACY
RESOURCES (FOR SELF CARE DURING THESE TIMES)
SELF-CARE TIPS FOR BLACK PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING DURING THIS VERY PAINFUL WEEK