Updated on November 15th, 2023
Instead of publishing a usual blog post, I wanted to take this opportunity to show my support for those in the black community and include a list of resources of ways you can help.
General Resources
As far as ways to help, the most comprehensive website I found is blacklivesmatters.carrd.co. The carrd includes a list of petitions to sign, officials to call or email, websites to donate to, and information for protesters. Most importantly, the carrd includes resources to educate yourself.
Black History Month is observed in October in the United Kingdom and in February in the US, Canada, and numerous other countries. The goal of Black History Month is to share the message of racial equality and celebrate the achievements, history, and contributions of the black community. For your Black History Month event, Black History Month Speakers can be booked to cover topics on black history, civil rights, black futures, anti-racism, allyship, business, arts, and culture. The speakers are artists, authors, businesspeople, journalists, and presenters, and they offer insight into the challenges faced by the black community while promoting empathy and awareness. Booking a speaker is a fantastic way to celebrate black culture, history, and achievements.
@booksandthecity created a Google doc of resources including fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books to read as well as a list of black-owned bookstores. @wanderingbritt_ started a Twitter thread of children’s books that discuss race and racism and you can also read the post 15 Must-Read Children’s Books by black authors. Also, one reader suggested reading The Speech: The Story Behind Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream by Gary Younge as it looks at the context of the speech.
Be an Ally
Also, @courtneyahndesign has a guide to white privilege that includes what white privilege is and is not and what you can do with your white privilege. @wastefreemarie has the dos and don’ts of how to be an ally and @holidayphillips has a list of 5 things that are not allyship and what to do instead. @julliiaamarieee has terminology to know as a social justice activist and @itsecogal has words to remove from your vocabulary to be a better ally.
Diversify Your Feed
@officialmillennialblack has a thread on what diversifying your feed means and the importance of it. @glowrecipe has a list of black-owned accounts to follow and learn from and @roohiamber has a list of black influencers to follow.
Donate
Regarding donations, do NOT donate to Change.org when you are signing petitions. Change.org is a private organization and the money does not go to further the cause. The blacklivesmatters.carrd.co includes other organizations, victim funds, protester bail funds, and black-owned businesses to donate to. @ukjami has a list of places to donate in the UK.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
@chicksforclimate has a post on why it is important to shop at black-owned businesses. Also, The Mad Mommy has a list of 1,500+ black-owned Etsy shops and Stephano has a big list of black-owned kawaii brands. Furthermore, @roohiamber has a list of black-owned small businesses you can support from anywhere and @jadealycebod has a thread of black-owned businesses you can shop online at. You can also look for black-owned businesses in your area to support.
How to Support Black-Owned Businesses for Free
Furthermore, @shop.thoughtful has a list of ways you can support black-owned businesses for free.
Donate Without Money
However, times are hard for many people and if you cannot donate or monetarily support black-owned businesses, you can stream Zoe Amira’s video project that features art and music from black creators. 100% of the ad revenue from the video will be donated to associations that offer protester bail funds, help pay for family funerals, and advocacy. If you stream the video, make sure your ad blocker is off and you do not skip any ads. You can also leave the video running in the background while you are going about your day. UPDATE: Zoe Amira’s video project was removed for violating Youtube’s terms, however, YouTube is donating the ad money she would have received. In the meantime, you can check out the following Twitter thread of other videos to watch.
A Twitter thread started by @iDiminies includes a list of other YouTube videos you can stream where the ad revenue will be donated to various funds.
Support the Movement Offline
Lastly, for those that are at higher risk of illness or have family members who are vulnerable, protesting may not be an option. Billie Eilish briefly listed other ways you can protest without risking your health and those of your family. Also, @nataliesoutlet has a great post on how to use your voice for change and empowerment offline and @iamshararose has a post on how to communicate with racist family members. @ukjamii has a post on what the non-black community can do long term.
Educate Yourself
To end this post for now, I will leave this tweet by @thEMANacho who explains why there is rioting and white privilege and why black lives matter right now. @lyslynne has a post on why saying all lives matter is wrong and hurtful and @glographics has a post on whether it is rude to call people black.
Systemic Racism and Medical Racism
I also recommend watching this short video by @violadavis on systemic racism and reading this post by @steven on how systemic racism can be defeated. Furthermore, I recommend reading this post on Financial Literacy in the Black Community and how education and financial literacy can help close the racial wealth gap. There is also an informative post by @femislay on medical racism in the US. Furthermore, I recommend reading this post on Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community, which discusses how racism causes mental health problems and common mental illnesses among black people. The post also includes resources for free or low-cost mental health treatment for the black community. Lastly, I recommend reading How Workplace Hair Discrimination Can Impact the Health of Black Women including how chemical hair straighteners can cause scalp damage and pain and increase the risk of cancer, which has led to Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuits.
White Washing and White Savior Complex
Furthermore, it is important to educate yourself on what the white savior complex and whitewashing are and why it is bad. @ssustainably_ has a thread on whitewashing and the white savior complex in the fashion industry. @diversifyournarrative has a thread on whitewashing in US history. You can also read the Wikipedia page on the White savior narrative in film so you can be aware of the movies that have harmful stereotypes.
Juneteenth
Juneteenth is on June 19th, and @daylightpearls has a post on the history and importance of Juneteenth.
As I find new information on ways to help, I will update this post. Also, if you know of any other resources, please leave a comment!
Please do not thank me for writing this post. I am just doing what I can to help educate others. I have been sharing threads and posts on Instagram and Twitter, and I wanted to have a more permanent and easier way to access the information.
Jenni @ I on Image says
Really great resources in this post Karalee! Thank you for sharing and keep on fighting for an equal society xxx
Chloe Chats says
Thank you for sharing all of this great information! Its great to see you using your platform to help educate others!
Chloe xx
Karalee says
I’m just doing what I can!
Amazing. Everyone should respect each other. It is sad that there is so much hate in this world. Specially, that this has been going around for years and won’t even stop. No matter how much we try, there will be always someone trying to go against.
Your message is beautiful. Thank you for writing this.
Yes I agree. Part of me doesn’t understand why racism is still an issue today, but after watching the 13th documentary on Netflix, I learned that after the slaves were freed with the 13th amendment, the racist views didn’t just go away. Instead of slaves, the blacks were viewed as criminals & that’s how they’re still seen today, which is horrible.
You’re wonderful, thank you for using your platform to spread the information. Much love and light to you x
I’m only trying to do my part & help others find resources to do theirs
And you’re amazing for doing so xxx
Thank you for sharing this and spreading awareness.
🌿 Marissa Belle 🌿
I am trying to do what I can support the movement & help educate others!
Hi – I would recommend reading Gary Younge’s book ‘The Speech’ which looks at the 1963 ‘I have a dream’ speech in the context of its time and also the present(ish) day
I will include this book in my post!