Demanding Justice Can Be Overwhelming. Here's What You Can Do To Help.
I opened up my laptop multiple times last week in an effort to write a new post, but as I stared at a blank document on my screen, I simply could not bring myself to write about something so minute while chaos abounded outside my window.
Like many of you, I have also been overwhelmed by the recent events in the United States. I am an incredibly empathetic person, which means that even though I am removed from the events that are currently taking place, my emotions have still overwhelmed me on more than one occasion. I found myself in a puddle of tears multiple times last week while watching the news, to the point where I quite literally felt sick to my stomach.
Here's what I know and what I believe:
Black Lives Matter. 100%. There is systemic and institutionalized racism ingrained deeply within this country. We need to do something about it. I also know a lot of police officers that are good people. They too were sickened by the treatment of George Floyd and negligence surrounding Breonna Taylor's death, and so, so many others. Please don't let the bad officers ruin the entire bunch. With that being said, there is a problem with the system, and it's one that needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.
As a young, white woman, I have a privilege and I'll be damned if I'll remain silent rather than use my privilege for good. Below I've compiled a list of resources and things you can do to help.
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR FREE:
Have a conversation. Talk about it with family or with friends.
Make masks. COVID-19 did not magically disappear just because protests started across the country (and the world). It's incredibly difficult to maintain distance when protesting in a crowd of people. If you can sew, put your abilities to good use and make masks to donate to those who are going out to protest.
Sign petitions. It takes less than thirty seconds.
Petition for the death of Breonna Taylor:
Mail a letter to Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer or Attorney General Daniel Cameron in Breonna's honor and to serve as a reminder to not forget about her.
Mayor Greg Fischer's address is:
Mayor Greg Fischer
527 W Jefferson Street #600
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Office of the Attorney General
700 Capital Avenue, Suite 118
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-3449
IF YOU HAVE MONEY TO DONATE:
Donate to Bail Efforts.
Amid the mix of peaceful and violent protests, there have been a fair amount of arrests for those who were peacefully protesting. Bail organizations are usually broken down by state, and while some of the larger ones have received an overwhelming amount of support (see below), if protests are starting to ramp up in your state, donate to your local bail fund.
The Minnesota Freedom Fund, Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, The Northstar Health Collective, and NYC Bail Fund no longer need donations, due to an overwhelming amount of support. These organizations have requested that donations go to other organizations in support of racial justice, such as
Black Visions Collective
Campaign Zero
The Innocence Project
Communities United Against Police Brutality
Know Your Rights Camp
Committee to Protect Journalists
Black Lives Matter
Support Black-Owned Small Businesses.
Everyone has their own method of supporting a movement. If yours is to continue to post on social media, that's okay. If you want to donate, that's okay. All forms of support are necessary and what you do will make a difference, just make sure you do something.
Like many of you, I have also been overwhelmed by the recent events in the United States. I am an incredibly empathetic person, which means that even though I am removed from the events that are currently taking place, my emotions have still overwhelmed me on more than one occasion. I found myself in a puddle of tears multiple times last week while watching the news, to the point where I quite literally felt sick to my stomach.
Here's what I know and what I believe:
Black Lives Matter. 100%. There is systemic and institutionalized racism ingrained deeply within this country. We need to do something about it. I also know a lot of police officers that are good people. They too were sickened by the treatment of George Floyd and negligence surrounding Breonna Taylor's death, and so, so many others. Please don't let the bad officers ruin the entire bunch. With that being said, there is a problem with the system, and it's one that needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.
As a young, white woman, I have a privilege and I'll be damned if I'll remain silent rather than use my privilege for good. Below I've compiled a list of resources and things you can do to help.
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR FREE:
Have a conversation. Talk about it with family or with friends.
Make masks. COVID-19 did not magically disappear just because protests started across the country (and the world). It's incredibly difficult to maintain distance when protesting in a crowd of people. If you can sew, put your abilities to good use and make masks to donate to those who are going out to protest.
Sign petitions. It takes less than thirty seconds.
Petition for the death of Breonna Taylor:
Mail a letter to Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer or Attorney General Daniel Cameron in Breonna's honor and to serve as a reminder to not forget about her.
Mayor Greg Fischer's address is:
Mayor Greg Fischer
527 W Jefferson Street #600
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Attorney General Daniel Cameron's address is:
Office of the Attorney General
700 Capital Avenue, Suite 118
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-3449
IF YOU HAVE MONEY TO DONATE:
Donate to Bail Efforts.
Amid the mix of peaceful and violent protests, there have been a fair amount of arrests for those who were peacefully protesting. Bail organizations are usually broken down by state, and while some of the larger ones have received an overwhelming amount of support (see below), if protests are starting to ramp up in your state, donate to your local bail fund.
The Minnesota Freedom Fund, Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, The Northstar Health Collective, and NYC Bail Fund no longer need donations, due to an overwhelming amount of support. These organizations have requested that donations go to other organizations in support of racial justice, such as
Black Visions Collective
Campaign Zero
The Innocence Project
Communities United Against Police Brutality
Know Your Rights Camp
Committee to Protect Journalists
Black Lives Matter
Support Black-Owned Small Businesses.
Everyone has their own method of supporting a movement. If yours is to continue to post on social media, that's okay. If you want to donate, that's okay. All forms of support are necessary and what you do will make a difference, just make sure you do something.
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