resources for being actively anti-racist

Firstly, I would like to stay that I know, as a white person, I am privileged, and I will never understand what POC and the Black community are going through– but I know that I need to continue to stand with you, listen to you without laboring you, amplify you, support you, love you, and that’s what I intend to do, and honestly, I am sorry for not doing more sooner.

I wanted to share some resources that I have been collecting over the last few days because we need to be educated in order to be allies– because as allies, we must not be complacent. We must act; silence is not an option. This is NOT about us. It is time to get out of our comfort zones because the lives we are losing are more important. As Angela Davis said, “It is not enough to be not racist, you must actively be anti racist.” It is no one’s responsibility to teach us. We must humble ourselves to learn, study, research, and educate ourselves on our own through resources and guidance that have been so graciously provided for us. We need to address the issues firstly with ourselves, in our hearts, and then in our homes and families, so we can make real changes and follow through with them. We need to unlearn the established habits and actions that injustice thrives on and the patterns that are contributing to systematic racism.

Love and respect must be shown to the Black community. This can not just be white people trying to rationalize to make ourselves feel better, this has to be us recognizing our privilege and holding ourselves and the White community accountable as we address and target a very FLAWED system that needs to be rebuilt. I challenge you to take this opportunity to step-up, learn, grow– do the work that needs to be done to stop social injustices and truly be anti-racist. I will be right there beside you on the journey.

Anti-racist Resources

1.) Anti-Racism Resources For White People: Compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein in May 2020

2.) Social Justice Resources for Kids from The Children’s Community School

3.) An Antiracist Reading List on The New York Times by Ibram X. Kendi

4.) Racial Justice Research Document by Rachel Cargle (A GREAT LEARNING RESOURCE)

5.) 10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship by Mireille Charper (Instagram Post– also includes a list of other great resources in the caption)

6.) Racism and Discrimination on the Mental Health of our Black Communities from Sunshine Behavioral Health

6.) Essential Reading

• Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad
• How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi 
• White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD

7.) Dear White Women by Rachel Cargle

Additionally, here are some ways to get involved with demanding justice for George Floyd:

1.) Go to https://www.justiceforbigfloyd.com and sign the petition

2.) Text “FLYOD” to 55156 to demand justice

3.) Sign the Justice for George Floyd petition on Change.org

Here are organizations where you can help by donating to their causes:

The Loveland Foundation: “The Loveland Foundation is the official continuation of this effort to bring opportunity and healing to communities of color, and especially to Black women and girls. Through fellowships, residency programs, listening tours, and more, ultimately we hope to contribute to both the empowerment and the liberation of the communities we serve.” – The Loveland Foundation Website

NAACP: “The NAACP is at the forefront of the movement to build political power and ensure the wellbeing of communities of color. Underscoring the advocacy of our 2,200 local units across the country, we empower our communities to make democracy work for them. Your donation to the NAACP helps further our mission to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination” – NAACP Website

Black Youth Project 100: “BYP100 (Black Youth Project 100) is a member-based organization of Black youth activists creating justice and freedom for all Black people.” – BYP100 Website

Black Lives Matter: “Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.” – Black Lives Matter Website

ACLU: “The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.” – ACLU Website

Additional Resources:

Skin Cancer Awareness & Prevention for People of Color: Did you know that Black people can develop melanoma? Researchers say the incidence of melanoma among Black people is about 10% of that in white people. However, many POC are unaware of the risk of melanoma skin cancer. THE DERM Review research and writing team has created a guide to help educate the Black Community.

[Submitted via THE DERM Review]

In this guide you will receive information on:

• Skin Cancer in People of Color – DATA
• What Cancer Looks Like on the Skin of People of Color
• How Fast is Spreads
• How Deadly It Can Be
• How to Perform a Skin Cancer Check
• Skin Cancer Prevention
• Sunscreen Spec’s for People of Color

If you have any resources that would benefit others by being added to this post, please comment or email me. Thank you.