Resources for White People of Privilege to Support Anti-Racism
I woke up this morning eager to dive into God's word and really listen to what he had to say to me today. After expressing a heavy heart from the recent events in regards to George Floyd's passing and the racial unrest in our nation in my Instagram Stories last night, I thought I would share the main message from today's devotional, because in my opinion, it is no coincidence that today's reading aligns with what is going on in our world right this second. Here is the passage:
"Big things are built one brick at a time. Victories are achieved one choice at a time. A life well lived is chosen one day at a time."
While this can relate to many aspects of our lives every day, I truly believe God spoke to me through this passage, telling us that the current fight against racism isn't futile. God is crying out for our attention. Racism in America and our world has been around far longer than just the past few months - and any amount of time is too damn long. It is now only being brought to the forefront because of the technology, our social media, etc.
I also want to recognize that there are still so many people of color in our world who continue to experience racism every day but, we will never see them on the morning news, in videos that have gone viral on social media, etc.
I mentioned this statement in my Stories yesterday but I want to make it very clear at the beginning of this blog post that I recognize I am someone of white privilege. I want to be sure that I acknowledge that I will absolutely never understand what it is like to be discriminated against because of the color of my skin; but I want you to know that I am aware that it is wrong. As someone of white privilege, I want to do better by learning more about what it means to be truly anti-racist and what it means to be an ally to our black brothers and sisters who God has uniquely and purposely created, just like everyone else on this earth.
In order to do better, I believe we must start by first laying the foundation for our future. Like this passage referenced, we can do that by laying down one brick at a time, one choice at a time and one day at a time. We can make a difference as white people who are privileged to stand against racism alongside those of color - TOGETHER.
I also woke up this morning to an email from The Skimm (like I do every morning). In today's email, they defined anti-racist and I thought I would also share that definition with you.
"Being anti-racist is viewing all racial groups as equal and supporting policies that lead to equality and justice. It not only means to acknowledge that racism exists, but to fight it whenever it arises."
Being anti-racist requires action and until now, I admit that I have failed to act. But today, that ends.
I have been inspired to create this blog post where I can house information and resources for those who are white privileged like me and educate not only myself but others on how we can truly become anti-racist and an ally.
Below I am starting an accumulation of resources I have found and that others have shared (books, podcasts, Apps, POC to follow on social media, etc.) in order to help us all take action. This list was put together with the input of others and online research; Please note that I haven't vetted all of the recommendations, but I do trust the sources. We must do better and be better if we want to see change happen.
I hope that by praying and by taking action, we will one day see victory against racism in our world. I know that this post and these words are just one very small step, but I hope you can see the good behind my heart, my intentions with my words and this post. It is one small brick that I am laying down and it is only day one, but I truly believe racism can be overcome if we continue to fight this fight together.
If there are any resources you have found helpful, please don't hesitate to reach out and send those to me. I will gladly add them to this list. You can do so by shooting me an email at katieannemach@gmail.com. Please note that this will be a blog post that I plan to continue updating as I continue to keep the topic of anti-racism going throughout the content I share.
Books to Read
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
How to Be Anti-Racist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Your Silence Will Not Protect You by Audre Lorde
Dying of Whiteness by Jonathan M. Metzl
POC to Follow on Social Media
Movies / TV Series to Watch
13th on Netflix
Dear White People on Netflix
American Son on Netflix
See You Yesterday on Netflix
When They See Us on Netflix
The Hate U Give
Where you can Donate
George Floyd Memorial Fund: The official gofundme to support the Floyd family. Click here.
Minnesota Freedom Fund: Community based nonprofit that pays criminal bail and immigration bonds for individuals who have been arrested while protesting police brutality. Click here.
Black Visions Collective: A black, trans and queer-led organization that is committed to dismantling systems of oppression and violence. Click here to donate.
Reclaim The Block: Coalition that advocates for and invests in community led safety initiatives in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Click here to donate.
Campaign Zero: Online platform and organization that utilizes research based policy solutions to end police brutality in America. Click here to donate.
Unicorn Riot: Non-profit organization that is dedicated to exposing root causes of dynamic social and environmental issues. Click here to donate.
Petitions You Can Sign
Sign the petition justice for George Floyd on change.org
Sign the petition by colorofchange.org or by texting "FLOYD" to 55156
Sign the petition Stand With Bre - another innocent POC killed by the police in her home.
Support Black Businesses in Your Community
If you live in Kansas City, @monarchcoffeekc started this amazing post where they have included a ton of black owned and run businesses that you can support - more have been added to the comments as well! Another follower of mine also sent me this amazing DM about an app called Black Privilege that you can download for free in the App Store.
It tells you how and which black businesses you can support based on your location and it also allows you to leave reviews and follow your favorites! I will link that for you too because I know I have a handful of followers that do not live in Kansas City.
with love,
~Katie