“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?” – MLK
We are now all living in George Floyd’s America. In Breonna Taylor’s America. People across the country are taking a stand – marching, protesting, and making their voices heard. Fighting a systemic issue as just one person can seem like an insurmountable feat. As a busy mom, or overworked professional (or both), finding meaningful ways to contribute can feel impossible. It can feel like no matter what you do, it wouldn’t be enough.
However, you don’t have to be on the front lines of a demonstration to make a difference. Check out these seemingly small actions you can take to contribute.
Sign a petition.
This takes, quite literally, less than 2 minutes to complete. Petitions are critical in demanding legal action be taken. The initial petition calling for the arrest of the officers involved in George Floyd’s murder reached over 4.5 million signatures – and all four of the officers were arrested. If you’re unsure of where to begin, here’s a list of 30 petitions to get you started.
Donate to organizations or bail funds.
If you have the means to do so, making a donation (no matter how big or small) can make a difference. You can fight against the criminalization of poverty and stand up for pre-trial justice with a donation to The Bail Project, help to free wrongfully convicted inmates with a donation to The Innocence Project, or support the preservation and celebration of Black History with a donation to the Association of African American Museums.
Buy from black-owned businesses.
Especially now with the current global health crisis, online shopping has become an even more critical part of our lives. Treat yourself to a new piece of art, some jewelry, or purchase a gift for a loved one from a black-owned business. There's even a curated collection of black-owned Etsy shops you can to browse.
Have an uncomfortable conversation.
Don’t be afraid to speak face to face. Technology can be both a wonderful and terrible tool to engage in discussion. However, the real, hard-hitting discourse that needs to occur is frequently made impossible by the anonymity that emboldens some social media warriors. It can be incredibly difficult to have talks with friends or family members who have opposing views, but there are ways to do so that do not threaten to damage relationships. Check out this resource guide from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on how to start and manage these types of dialogs.
Include black literature and art in your daily routine.
A beautiful way to truly open your eyes and ears to black voices and perspectives is to be an active and voracious consumer of the materials put into the universe by black creators. This list of influential black authors is a great place to begin your search.
Mr. Rogers always said to “look for the helpers.” But, being a helper doesn’t have to mean speaking at council meetings, marching with signs, or bringing your life to a halt. It just means helping where you can and encouraging others to do the same.
Comments