Hope for a Nation Divided.
by taylor phillips
Racism flows through the veins of our country and its institutions, including our government, the criminal justice system, the economy and the corporate world. The murder of George Floyd shined a spotlight on the systems that continuously and mercilessly discriminate against minorities. The collective cry for justice from the American people is loud today; it needs to be loud every day until we see change.
As a company, albeit a small one, we have a platform. But with a predominately white team, we understand it is not our voice that needs to be heard. We’ve thus gathered messages and perspectives from Black colleagues, influencers, and peers to help us amplify the young Black voices that are driving the Black Lives Matter movement. Here are a few:
deray mckesson
DeRay McKesson is an American civil rights activist and supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. He was active in the protests in Furgerson, MO, and Baltimore, MD, and wrote a book called On The Other Side of Freedom, which offers actionable ideas and marching orders toward freedom. McKesson has contributed ideas and content to Medium, Washington Post Live, GQ, and more. Check out his podcast Pod Save The People, which explores news, culture, social justice, and politics.
Nupol Kiazolu
Nupol Kiazolu is the President of the Youth Coalition for Black Lives Matter of Greater New York and the founder and CEO of Vote 2000, a campaign that is part of DoSomething.org that encourages young adults to register to vote. At just 20 years old, she organized a Black Lives Matter demonstration in New York which brought out over 15,000 attendees and remained peaceful and non-violent. She’s breaking ground for young Black female leaders and organizers.
Marie Beecham
Marie Beecham is a young activist advocating for people and the planet. She works to draw in new activists by creating content with actionable steps, inspiration, and information toward climate and racial justice. Beginners welcome!
Emanuel Acho
Emanuel Acho is a former linebacker for the NFL, who started a web series dedicated to educating white America on racism, systemic racism, social injustice, rioting and the hurt African Americans are feeling today.
Danielle Coke
Danielle Coke is an Instagram activist and illustrator who creates graphics to help people understand racial injustice, provides educational materials and offers guidance on how you can help fight racism. What started as an account to represent Black history through visual arts has flourished into a platform where she hosts informational livestreams and actionable steps anyone can take to engage in the movement. Check out her Instagram account @ohhappydani and website https://www.ohhappydani.com/friends for more information and resources.
What Can You Do?
As allies, showing support is not enough. Talk is cheap; action is vital.
Here are different ways you can help make change happen.
Donate
Time, money, or both.
Black Lives Matter: Fund the movement and the ongoing fight to end state-sanctioned violence, liberate Black people, and end white supremacy forever.
Color Of Change: Support the largest online racial justice organization in the country, and help fight to end the war on Black people in our country.
NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund: There's no bigger battle than the one to dismantle the deeply unjust political and institutional policies that undermine Black progress in America. The NAACP's Legal Defense and Education Fund has been at it for decades.
Reclaim The Block: Donate to support this Minneapolis community organization focused on divesting police resources back to the community.
*find additional donation opportunities here.*
Educate
Read, watch, listen.
Movies
Books
Find a Black-owned bookstore in your area here.
Podcasts
1619, from the New York Times: In August 1619, The first ships to arrive in America carrying enslaved Africans arrived in August 1619. Host Nikole Hannah-Jones examines the deep-rooted racism this country was built on and the 250 years of slavery that followed.
Code Switch, from NPR: Hosted by journalists of color, NPR’s flagship podcast on race and culture provides historical context and in-depth analysis on the ongoing challenges of race in America.
Intersectionality Matters!: A podcast hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American civil rights advocate and a leading scholar of critical race theory.
Find additional educational resources here, and supplementary research is always encouraged!
Protest
On the ground or from home.
If you’re interested in showing your support on the ground and are comfortable leaving the house, find a local protest and join in! Search Facebook Groups, Events, Twitter Hashtags, Nextdoor, or contact the local Black Lives Matter group in your area at BlackLivesMatter.com.
The threat of Coronavirus is still real, of course. If you can’t attend or don’t feel comfortable attending protests, here are ways you can show your support from home.