Today is my 24th birthday. Here are 24 ways you can wish me:
*I am neither suggesting this list is complete nor asking everyone to do everything all at once. Activism and education go hand-in-hand and both should be lifelong processes. I’ve listed several resources below to help you get started, but by no means should you feel obligated to occupy every lane.
1. Remember #BlackLivesMatter - always. Black Women Matter, Black Trans Lives Matter, Black Queer Lives Matter, Black Disabled Lives Matter, Black Children Matter, Black Joy Matters. There are so many ways we can help this movement. Importantly, let’s listen to and uplift Black leaders.
2. Learn about the history of systemic racism in the U.S. and the ways in which it manifests in every aspect of our lives. I’m listing an example of where you can start, but there are SO many resources. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/08/understanding-racism-inequality-america/
3. Learn about how you and your community can be actively anti-racist. South Asian friends, here are resources specifically for you: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19QDjbssrCaGD3Xm_DfEIwPuYXHe03Gkb/view
4. Keep reading. Here’s a BLM reading list: https://www.booktable.net/black-lives-matter-reading-list
5. Watch films, shows, and documentaries centering Black stories and history. You can start with Netflix’s Black Lives Matter collection and go from there.
6. Donate to Black-led organizations, activist groups, mutual aid funds, and victims of police brutality or their families. Here’s a list of where to donate: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-for-black-lives-matter.html
7. Support Black businesses. Search for them here: https://www.afrobizworld.com/
8. Here are lots of useful action items for everyone, but my white friends especially: https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234
9. Go to protests if you can do so safely: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#protesters.
Contrary to what the media may be portraying, the protests against police brutality have not at all slowed down or stopped - we are juuuuust getting started. Our efforts are paying off but we are nowhere near real liberation for all. NYC friends, join me in the streets!
10. Ways to support protests from home: https://twitter.com/gendervamp/status/1267187714052349953
11. Some other ways to help if you can’t protest: https://issuu.com/nlc.sf.2014/docs/beyondthestreets_final
12. Learn about abolition of the police and prison-industrial complex: https://www.8toabolition.com/resources;
http://criticalresistance.org/resources/
13. More BLM resources: www.ally.wiki
14. Even more BLM resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J0m3eYct6wByXjtNP_a73W13_pY3Bnx1igM_C8DA5E4
15. Resources on other global crises: https://getinformed.carrd.co
16. And so much more: https://currentinfo.carrd.co
17. Consider getting involved in local politics, working on a campaign, or running for office. Our government works for *us*, so we need more people in power who truly represent our communities and our values. Here’s a quick guide: https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a32891852/how-to-get-involved-in-local-politics/
You can also check out the organization I work at @New American Leaders which provides training and support to first- and second-generation immigrants who want to run for office and work on campaigns.
18. Know who your representatives are, what they do, and what they stand for. https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/
19. Contact your representatives and demand they take specific actions, such as defunding the police and investing instead in BIPOC communities and social services. Here’s an easy tool to send emails to your reps: https://defund12.org
20. Register to vote. Florida friends, I’m looking at you now - the primary election is on August 18th and the deadline to register to vote or change parties is July 20th. Register or check your voter status here: https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home. And please, research who will be on your ballot before you vote!
21. Talk to your friends and family about these issues. Share what you learn with them and ask them to support the movement any way they can. Keep posting and spreading the message!
22. Also be sure to take care of yourself and your loved ones, especially during this time. Lately, my anxiety has been spiking more and more often and I cannot emphasize enough how important self-care is while we fight to change the world.
23. I feel obligated to mention this: please, please wear a mask/face covering when in public and around people not in your household. The coronavirus pandemic is only getting worse in many parts of the U.S. Do your part to save lives.
24. And lastly, don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you want to talk about the above issues, learn more about how to get involved, ask questions, or just need a friend. The only way we will win this fight is together.
*Please also let me know if any information I’ve provided is false or misleading. I’m doing my best but still learning as well (also I wrote this while very sleep-deprived)!
Finally, I could not have compiled this list without the tremendous work of the many, many Black activists throughout history. We should all be immensely grateful and continue to support them.
Sending much love to all <3