It’s hard to know what to say
but something has to be said.
First and foremost, as today is BlackoutTuesday on Social Media:
And if you don’t want to participate in BlackoutTuesday, which strikes many as performative and unhelpful as many seem to be posting a black picture and peacing out for the entire day, that’s ok too.
For today or any day hereafter, you can choose to stop promoting your own stuff for a time and instead use your time and space to share and amplify the voices of Black artists, creators, activists, etc. using the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag to post important/useful information, bail fund links, gofundmes, etc.
A few places to start:
- Text DEMANDS to 55156
- https://www.glaad.org/blog/here-are-ways-you-can-support-black-community-and-fight-combat-racism-discrimination
The simplest and most direct statement to be made is:
We understand that we cannot ever truly understand. We cannot know what it is like but we can hear, we can really listen, and we can share the stories and experiences that matter and are important to heed so that real change can be possible.
To live in fear of violence and death EVERY DAY just because one is Black is abhorrent. To stand by and witness that violence without action is just as horrid and shameful. We must do all that we can, whatever part we can play, to initiate real change. This has been happening for longer than any of us can comprehend and idle is not the way to sit from here on out.
If you’re able, some ways to help with donations (but we ALWAYS ENCOURAGE doing your own research in case you’re unsure):
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/
http://nationalbailout.org
https://louisvillescoop.givingfuel.com/west-end-initiative?fbclid=IwAR1PtnL83tyyGx-XjVGHUYyDEj2FFumWVYjnGrmKaF6XmokX5akU5Xu7qlo
And these have multiple links to organizations/funds in need:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IVaEU5l4ve01cWv_M4TipzLZU3W2qeFDKedmXfm6-z4/edit
Please consider donating to a different fund that is NOT the minnesota freedom fund, they have stated that they are overwhelmed with donations and that plenty other organziations need your help: https://mobile.twitter.com/sorrybythway/status/1267469168300998656
Frontline youth are out there every night, largely unprotected, doing most of the leg work. so here’s a thread of individual efforts of (trusted) folks to support: https://twitter.com/saintfadumo/status/1267167695482564613
And if you are unable to donate, someone has found a way to still be helpful. A black woman named Zoe Amira posted an hour video of art and music from black creators:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCgLa25fDHM
Per the video description:
This video project was created to offer people a way to donate to #blacklivesmatter without having any actual money or going out to protest themselves. 100% of the ad revenue this video makes through AdSense will be donated to the associations that offer protester bail funds, help pay for family funerals, and advocacy that are listed in the beginning of the video.
PLEASE share this video, make sure to leave the ads running, repeat the video, and let people know about this easy way to help.
And via @thethrillofpwning ‘s post HERE so you can be sure to make the views count:
complete list of tips from kpop stans:
do not pause or fast forward
turn off your adblock if using a computer
don’t skip the ads, no matter how long they are
use the youtube app to view the video on your phone, not a mobile browser
video quality must be at least 480p and audio must be at least ½ full
if you want to mute the volume mute the tab on your browser, or plug in headphones and let it play there
like and comment on the video, but don’t use emojis or say the word “streaming”
don’t watch the video in a playlist
don’t clear your watch or search history
don’t watch the video on repeat
after finishing the video, play any 3-5 other videos (it doesn’t matter how long they are), then search for “STREAM TO DONATE: how to help with no money or leaving your house.” and click to play the video again (don’t click on it from your watch history)
make sure the 3-5 videos you watch are different each time instead of watching the same 3-5 videos
This Anti-Racism Toolkit includes a link for donations as well as educational materials:
https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1vMlmL9TCZJW9bDNfr_nBu8FZEc8LZQd2fi4hbD1s7dg/mobilebasic
The following are some resources that we have found extremely informative and might be a starting point for anyone else as well:
https://medium.com/@BarackObama/how-to-make-this-moment-the-turning-point-for-real-change-9fa209806067 https://www.facebook.com/TrevorNoah/posts/10158351635592453
https://www.npr.org/2020/05/29/865685777/why-u-s-needs-black-lives-matter-movement-today
Please do your best to educate yourselves and let that be an ongoing journey/movement, as well as do your best to amplify Black voices and experiences.
To anyone protesting, please stay vigilant and safe. We are not only still in the midst of a global pandemic, but authorities are brutalizing those who would stand up for change, opportunists are taking this time in history to disrupt WITHOUT cause (looting/interrupting protests), and people are disappearing as sex traffickers take advantage of police being distracted. Please please please, protect yourselves and those around you the best you can in these unprecedented times.
And please if you are of age, be sure that you are REGISTERED TO VOTE and that FOR ALL LOCAL ELECTIONS AND DEFINITELY IN NOVEMBER, you USE YOUR VOICE AND VOTE.
https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote
