As a white woman, I have a lot of privileges. Not least of those is the fact that I don’t fear for my life because of the colour of my skin or my race. Black people and people of colour do not have that privilege. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery are only recent events that prove that.
With this privilege as a white person comes a responsibility and obligation to speak out against acts of violence and racism, to take action, to pass the mic, and to do the work to become anti-racist and an ally to Black people and people of colour around the world.
It’s 2020. When will enough be enough? I don’t know the answer to that question. All I know is we can’t stay silent any longer. This will continue to happen unless we all work to dismantle the systemic racism that is all too alive and well in our world.
Below, I’m sharing ways to do the work and take action. These are things that I will be doing, and I hope you find them helpful. I’m not perfect, I’m sure I will make mistakes along the way and say the wrong things, but I am trying to do better, to be better. It’s our responsibility to do this work, and as uncomfortable as it may be, it’s nothing compared to the discomfort and fear that Black people and people of colour live in every day.
Take Action to Demand Justice
- Contact local and state representatives
- Sign the petitions
- Donate to families of the victims
- Donate to charities doing work to dismantle racism and help those affected
Read & Watch
- Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- 13th documentary on Netflix
- Subscribe to the Anti-Racism daily newsletter
Listen & Learn
- Aja Barber – @ajabarber
- Rachel Ricketts – @iamrachelricketts
- Dominique Drakeford – @dominiquedrakeford
- Layla F. Saad – @laylafsaad
- Seeding Sovereignty – @seedingsovereignty
- Rachel Cargle – @rachel.cargle
- The Conscious Kid – @theconsciouskid
- Sophia Roe – @sophia_roe
- Christine Platt – @afrominimalist
- Nicole Cardoza – @nicolecardoza
Shop & Support
- Two Days Off
- Aliya Wanek
- Tree Fairfax
- Brother Vellies
- Galerie.LA
- Gracemade
- Unoeth
- The Tiny Closet
- ZOU XOU Shoes
- Taylor Jay
- Omiwoods
@buyfrombipoc is a great resource to follow on instagram for Black- and POC-owned brands with a sustainable and ethical focus.
Follow & Engage
- Eunice @fashionenth
- Jessica @jessica.harumi
- Abolaji @abolajiooo
- Jazmine @thatcurlytop
- Alivia @aliviafields
- Lydia @styleisstyle
- Raven @heyravenlove
- Jhánneu @jhanneu
- Emily @emilynatsai
- Lee @spiritedpursuit
- Ocean @ocean_bythesea
- Lydia @femmeblk
- Aïda @basicstouch
- Kadeeja @thebestofk
- Antónia @she.is.awake
- Leah @greengirlleah
- Lauren @astyleedit
- Mimi @inadress
- Tiffany @tiffanyalex_
- Masego @coconut_cracked
- Louisa @louisahatt
- Tamar @i.thrift.shit
- Dionna @sunnydii_
- Essy @esosavstheworld
- Nikisha @nikishariley
- Alia @simplyalia
- Eni @eniswardrobe
- Natasha @natashandlovu
- Lauren-Nicole @laurennicolefk
- Ada @ada_oguntodu
- Gina @gina_stovall
- Vanessa @vanessa_oblinsky
- Musemo @misslionhunter
- Dronme @dronme
I’m sure there are plenty of others to follow and books to read, so this by no means an exhaustive list, and I will keep it updated moving forward. While I am using my voice to bring attention to this, my voice is really not the one you need to listen to here. Make sure that you follow Black people, listen to their voices, learn from them. The work starts here, and it starts now.
Excellent, Em. So proud you are taking this stand. There is also a political aspect to this that needs to be addressed at all levels of government. People should speak with their votes and elect those that take a stand against racism, inequality and violence. You are right this needs to change.