This is the Summer of Our Discontent
I am done. I am done with what is going on in this country.
I am done with my neighbors being treated differently because of the amount of melanin in their skin.
And a lot of us are done. We can’t vote until November, most of us, but what can we do? Especially if we can’t go out their ourselves because we have health conditions, young children we can’t risk leaving alone, etc.
I have a few small suggestions:
Watch This Video
This was sent to me by somebody with every reason to believe it is legitimate. If you don’t want to actually watch it or don’t have time, just put it on in the background. Turn off your ad blocker. The advertising money is going to go to various organizations helping the protestors.
Donate to Local Bail Funds
Even a small amount helps. Look in your area for funds being set up to pay bail and medical costs for protestors who are arrested and injured.
Make sure the organization you choose is not supporting white anarchists or other troublemakers.
Don’t Spam the Black Lives Matter Hashtags
Apparently, well-meaning allies have been posting black squares to #blacklivesmatter and #blm. These hashtags are being used by advocates! If you post to them you’re generating spam and preventing stuff that’s actually important from being seen.
Reclaim the Narrative
The vast majority of the people protesting are peaceful. They aren’t out there to loot and burn.
They are out there to make their point in numbers, in the grand tradition of American democracy. When we are upset about something, we march. It’s what we do. It’s how Pride started (with a riot!).
The people looting and burning are a tiny minority and many of those arrested are, surprise surprise white. White supremacists are provoking things (some of them in uniform). Anarchists are using this as an opportunity to make like the Joker and let the world burn.
Speak out, especially if you are white, against those who are trying to push the narrative of animals destroying their own neighborhoods. That’s not what’s going on here.
And last, but far from least.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
Got your economic impact payment and don’t need it for groceries and rent? Look for local black-owned businesses to support.
This is a list of black owned business making face masks, if you want to support black people and slow the spread of COVID-19 in one nice blow.
Check your local area…I’ve found lists for Denver, Boston, Los Angeles…wherever you live there are businesses that could use your support.
And finally, call out racism wherever you see it, even if it makes you uncomfortable. That starts with the racism in your own heart, white people. It starts right here.