Hi, everyone;
As you know, across this colonizing nation, Black People are organizing and demanding justice for the murder of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmad Arbery, Tony McDade, and so many others killed by state-sanctioned violence.
As individuals with various financial means and access to privileges and power in academia, it is imperative that we support this movement in a variety of ways, especially as non-Black individuals who do not experience the level of systematic violence that hinders Black liberation.
I ask you, as a fellow scholar, peer, colleague, and as a non-Black Diné to support #BlackLivesMatter in whatever ways you can, whether that is going to protests and using your privilege (especially white individuals) to protect and support Black organizers or financially supporting any of the resources, fundraisers, bail funds, and other local and national organizations listed below.
- George Floyd’s Family GoFundMe for Funeral Expenses.
- Ahmad Arbery: How You Can Demand Justice for Ahmad Arbery
- Breonna Taylor: Where is the Outrage for Breonna Taylor
- Tony McDade’s Family GoFundMe for Funeral Expenses: Also there is an article for Remembering Tony McDade, Black Trans Man Killed by Police.
- Reclaim the Block: an org focused on defunding the police. They also shared a Google Doc with a list of local orgs to support.
- Black Visions Collective: is a Black, Trans, and Queer-led organization that is organizing uprisings and is also advocating to defund the police. You can financially support them here.
- Minnesota Youth Collective:
- Northstar Health Collective: is a mutual aid group that includes street medics. They are providing healthcare and other support on the ground to organizers. You can financially support them here.
- Unicorn Riot: an independent media group who has been on the ground of these protests filming and interviewing many individuals. You can financially support them here.
In addition, here is an article from Paper Magazine that lists many other organizations that you can financially support – How to Support Protestors in Every City
Here is another article from The Cut that also has a list of organizations to financially support, yet also includes other concrete steps – How to Support the Struggle Against Police Brutality
Also, if you plan to join any of the protests. Here is a link to ACLU: Know your Rights, Protestor’s Rights. Please be safe. And here are some tips that I found online.
- Wear a mask, goggles, and heat resistant gloves.
- Wear non-descriptive solid-colored clothing, make sure to cover up any tattoos that you have. Layer your clothing.
- Write emergency contacts or other important numbers on your arms or other visible parts of your body.
- Tie your hair up.
- Make sure to bring water, and snacks (for yourself or others).
- If tear gas is involved, have a spray bottle or a can of chilled milk to pour over your face or others.
- DO NOT BRING OR WEAR
- Jewelry
- Contact lenses.
- Your cell-phone, unless for documenting purposes. Even so, make sure to turn off Face / Touch-ID and your location.
- Make-up – the oil will absorb the tear gas.
Because we are still in a pandemic, please remember to self-quarantine for 15-days after going to a protest. There is a HIGH risk of getting COVID-19, which is important to highlight because many Black folks are risking their lives demanding justice.
Lastly, here are some articles I suggest many of you read, especially if you are white // white-coded or white-passing.
- Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They’re Okay – Chances Are They’re Not
- ‘Normal’ Is the Last Thing We Should Be Wish For
- 8 Lessons from “The Future of Solidarity: How White People Can Support the Movement for Black Lives”
Thank you for reading the entirety of this email.
Best,
Charlie
P.S. Please do not support Shaun King or provide links to any of his requested donations. He has a history of exploiting stories from Black Women and others while also mismanaging funds. Here is an article with more information – The Shaun King We’re Not Talking About