Black Lives Matter.

This, like the rest of us, feels heaviest on my heart and mind right now. Frustration, confusion, and grief are just a few emotions that we have shared after discovering the disturbing murder of George Floyd. I cry, failing to comprehend that police brutality and white supremacy are still common phenomena. However, I realize that emotions are simply not enough to bring about change. Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and Breonna Taylor are just a few of the thousands of innocent Black people killed by law enforcement violence. But enough is enough. I keep asking myself, why am I not doing more to help? This is a very small platform that I have, but I would feel so disappointed in myself if I didn’t fully contribute to the cause.

Before we start, I want you to know that you are so so so loved. There are horrible and sick people in the world, but there are more kind, good-hearted people who want to support one another through their struggles. I am here for you and I want to do whatever I can to educate myself, donate, spread awareness, anything.

Words can’t express how much I wish, with everything in my being, that racism would cease to exist. We want change? Here are some ways that I have learned can make an impact. If I am missing anything, please let me know.

Ways to Make an Impact on the Black Lives Matter Movement:

1. Speak Up

Right now, more than ever, we have the ability to raise awareness through social media, global networking, and instant messaging. Raising awareness extends beyond sharing an Instagram post on your story. Maybe this means having a somewhat uncomfortable conversation with somebody and expressing the importance of the issue. With the coronavirus still spreading it’s important to maintain social distancing, but if done safely and if you are able to, PROTEST! Here is a link to find the nearest protest location to you. Simply “caring” about the situation is not enough. You want to know why? You have the ability to contribute to the change. Stand up. If you see that someone has remained silent, talk to them about it peacefully and respectfully. I know this may be hard (I have made the mistake of getting upset when I see that some people haven’t spoken up), but it’s important to be respectful if you want to encourage others to be more involved.

2. Learn

I am still learning the details behind the George Floyd case (rest in peace), but the more research I conduct, the more perspective I gain on the Black Lives Matter movement as a whole. But before we can spread awareness, we need to start with ourselves. Are we as individuals making careless remarks based on racial stereotypes? Are we making judgements on others because of things they cannot change? Of course we make mistakes. However, we need to acknowledge our own faults before telling others to do so.

Please watch this eye-opening documentary. Even if you don’t do anything else to contribute, I ask that you please take less than an hour to just listen to the message. The documentary features Patrisse Cullors, a human rights activist and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement. She, along with her two other co-founders, Alica Garza and Opal Tometi, use their platform to amplify the reality many Black people face on a day-to day basis. We owe it to our Black brothers and sisters to listen to their stories and do what we can to educate ourselves. Please watch the documentary to its entirety.

3. Donate

$50, $10, or $1. It does not matter. You are making an impact regardless of how much you can contribute. Your $1.00 is one more voice fighting against racial oppression. Your $1.00 makes it that much more possible to re-build communities that have been destroyed or lack funding all together. If you can donate, here are some possible ways:

Black Lives Matter Fund

Official George Floyd Memorial GoFundMe

Official Ahmaud Arbery Memorial GoFundMe

Bail Project Fund

I know that I am missing a lot of other incredible organizations, but these spoke the most to me and if there are any other ones, please reach out and I will add it to the list.

4. Reach Out

Demand justice for George Floyd. Ex-officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter ($500,000 bail) for killing the innocent man after screaming, “I can’t breathe!”. According to this article, “The maximum sentence for third-degree murder is 25 years; the maximum for second-degree manslaughter is 10 years.” We absolutely need to do something about this.

Text FLOYD to 55156

Sign the petition to demand justice

Call 612-348-5550 to demand that the officers involved be arrested for Floyd’s murder.

5. REGISTER TO VOTE

My sincerest apologies if I have missed anything. These are some of the ways I have tried to help, but if there is anything else I missed please reach out and let me know. To anybody who feels scared, angry, or confused, I hear you. Systemic racism will not end over night, but it’s those little steps we take that will allow us to re-build our humanity. If each and every one of us just takes one of these ways to help, we can bring about even the slightest change.

Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter.