“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”- Archbishop Desmond Tutu
In the midst of all this, as a writing platform I wanted and felt I had responsibility to share something beyond just preformative activism. I want to use this platform in a good way to aid and empower voices, and this will always try to be an open space for black people’s voices. I will not be a perfect white ally all the time- and I stand to be corrected or called out at any point.
By no means am I an expert, or is this a comprehensive list. But this is a list of resources (or links in the direction of other pages with more resources) I have noted from stories, things people have recommended to me, social media etc. and felt this could be a good place to share and put out as a permanent resource for others to use also. If there is anything to add please email or DM and I can keep the list going.
“The beauty of anti-racism is that you don’t have to pretend to be free of racism to be an anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it’s the only way forward.” - Ijeoma Oluo
“All white people are inherently racist and our existence alone is violence… even if it’s not the individual person’s fault, it is still the individual’s responsibility to interrogate, unpack, unlearn, learn and take action.” -Amalie Have
Resources:
Understanding:
https://sojo.net/articles/our-white-friends-desiring-be-allies?fbclid=IwAR3x-Z5qYuRZSsLGaopzkJIvA4yubrScftk8LwFghZ98NjBpWPiivww5Lv8- a page from Courtney Ariel on how to be a white ally in day to day life
https://www.facebook.com/womendefyhate/videos/579963906238472/?vh=e -a really informative video on how to be a white ally by Obioma Ugoala.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/racehttps://www.theguardian.com/world/race- Guardian Newspaper section on race, latest news, public inquiries etc.
https://www.facebook.com/7397061762/posts/10158496743521763/?vh=e -Clara Amfo, a personal and moving account on recent events
https://www.facebook.com/908009612563863/posts/2880507925314012/?vh=e -a short video explaining systemic racism.
Educating:
(I have picked books/films/podcast's which I have either read, listened to or seen myself, have been recommended to me, or have popped up frequently on my social media)
Books-
‘Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race’- Reni Eddo Lodge
‘Citizen’- Claudia Rankin
‘Girl, Woman, Other’ by Bernardine Evaristo
‘The new Jim Crow’ by Michelle Alexander
‘A taste of Power: A Black Woman’s story’ by Elaine Brown
‘I know Why the Caged bird Sings’ by Maya Angelou
Podcasts-
“Say Your Mind” by Kelechi
“About Race”
“Diversity Gap”
“#BLACKLIVESMATTER”
Films/Netflix-
13th Documentary
When They See Us
Dear White People
Donating:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCgLa25fDHM&fbclid=IwAR0TAMLodw3utqJKG2pNlMtExLkemrB36KCwCHYi15e5J-g56jnKS_OreMI - if you aren't in a financial position to donate, all you have to do is play this video, leave the ads running and repeat it (instructions are at the start of the vid)
https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/?fbclid=IwAR1xp_YJWT7lgqPhK3pmb4P_9nh2g0bUfFPZg9-JIf0nleOZNzsvdFLaQxM#donate -this page gives a list of places to donate categorising into the victims, protestors, black owned businesses and organisations.
Writing to your MP:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P7owSv_blKdVaAzII-ySKpk1Vo7w2c_mpE4wUSmRPBQ/edit?fbclid=IwAR05XcUNE2tnBGmbnzFMKf-_kbuo7_qipn7JuuRGUQ5Rxx1Y80CkIfby8do -gives you a template letter and ideas of what to demand
Direction to other more comprehensive pages and resources:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-0KC83vYfVQ-2freQveH43PWxuab2uWDEGolzrNoIks/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR2U-_-JEcguntqHo9zsvQXxhNwy3dY79k6CnMq8mpqChD3FlQqhpinlYpk- a huge list of everything donating, to petitions to sign and more on things to read/watch/learn
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ogOoH-Psae0UAZPsHl3KzxdNgk_1dGNzP1K-8EgI_sk/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwAR1h1_etc1xxavlWmWnouse8IC8idy3H6b8y63bMJ3mvtwlAw1-VPXzI_80- a continually updated google doc with loads of resources by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein, includes organisations in the UK to support as well as petitions and protest advice
A whole list of incredible articles to read to fully understand the situation, and what can be done to support and take action- bit.ly/BLMresource
Lets keep this narrative going beyond today or this week. Now is not the time to be silent- stand up, educate yourself and others and use your voice and your privilege to help in any way that you can.
Posting a hashtag or black box on Instagram is not enough. We need to all be checking ourselves- what we are doing and who we are supporting. The UK is just as guilty of racism as America, and we need to ensure this conversation continues for as long as there is still an issue, instead of leaving it to those who are oppressed to speak out.
By Emily Latimer