To keep up the momentum and accelerate change, we need to take action on a recurring basis, not just when it’s at the top of our social media feeds or trending. So what can we do:
- Act with your wallet. When our government does not take sufficient action to protect our most marginalized communities, we have to take bold action. And this means, for those who are able, making regular recurring donations. Just as you pay for other monthly subscription services, add nonprofits to your list. Here are a few organizations to consider giving to (also linked in episode notes): Color of Change, MediaJustice, Fair Fight You could also consider giving to a local political candidate you believe in.
- Support your local community. Find an organization in your area working on bail relief, police reform and other causes centered on the Black community. Support Black businesses in your area.
- Register to vote and fill out the census. You don’t have to spend money to have an impact. As Representative John Lewis says, Voting is “the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.”
- Listen, share, and speak up. Whether this means emailing your family, texting your friends or posting on social media, make a statement of support and lift up the voices of those who are on the front lines of this fight.
- Last, but certainly not least, we have to educate ourselves and our communities. Find moments to hold yourself and your community accountable. Learn from your mistakes. Call out your friends and family. And support your Black friends and community.
NPR’s CodeSwitch, an excellent podcast that talks about race, compiled a list of names of Black people killed by the police since Eric Garner’s murder in 2014. This is by no means an exhaustive list. It is important to say and listen to these names:
ERIC GARNER
JOHN CRAWFORD
MICHAEL BROWN
EZELL FORD
DANTE PARKER
MICHELLE CUSSEAUX
LAQUAN MCDONALD
TANI SHAANDERSON
AKAI GURLEY
TAMIR RICE
RUMAIN BRISBON
JERAME REID
GEORGE MANN
MATTHEW AJIBADE
FRANK SMART
NATASHA MCKENNA
TONY ROBINSON
ANTHONY HILL
MYA HALL
PHILLIP WHITE
ERIC HARRIS
WALTER SCOTT
WILLIAM CHAPMAN II
ALEXIA CHRISTIAN
BRENDON GLENN
VICTOR MANUELLA ROSA
JONATHAN SANDERS
FREDDIE BLUE
JOSEPH MANN
SALVADO ELLSWOOD
SANDRA BLAND
ALBERT JOSEPH DAVIS
DARRIUS STEWART
BILLY RAY DAVIS
SAMUEL DUBOSE
MICHAEL SABBIE
BRIAN KEITH DAY
CHRISTIAN TAYLOR
TROY ROBINSON
ASSHAMS PHAROAH MANLEY
FELIX KUMI
KEITH HARRISON MCLEOD
JUNIOR PROSPER
LAMONTEZ JONES
PATERSON BROWN
DOMINIC HUTCHINSON
ANTHONY ASHFORD
ALONZO SMITH
TYREE CRAWFORD
INDIA KAGER
LA’VANTE BIGGS
MICHAEL LEE MARSHALL
JAMAR CLARK
RICHARD PERKINS
NATHANIEL HARRIS PICKETT
BENNI LEE TIGNOR
MIGUEL ESPINAL
MICHAEL NOEL
KEVIN MATTHEWS
BETTIE JONES
QUINTONIO LEGRIER
KEITH CHILDRESS JR.
JANET WILSON
RANDY NELSON
ANTRONIE SCOTT
WENDELL CELESTINE
DAVID JOSEPH
CALIN ROQUEMORE
DYZHAWN PERKINS
CHRISTOPHER DAVIS
MARCO LOUD
PETER GAINES
TORREY ROBINSON
DARIUS ROBINSON
KEVIN HICKS
MARY TRUXILLO
DEMARCUS SEMER
WILLIE TILLMAN
TERRILL THOMAS
SYLVILLE SMITH
ALTON STERLING
PHILANDO CASTILE
TERENCE CRUTCHER
PAUL O’NEAL
ALTERIA WOODS
JORDAN EDWARDS
AARON BAILEY
RONELL FOSTER
STEPHON CLARK
ANTWON ROSE II
BOTHAM JEAN
PAMELA TURNER
DOMINIQUE CLAYTON
ATATIANA JEFFERSON
CHRISTOPHER WHITFIELD
CHRISTOPHER MCCORVEY
ERIC REASON
MICHAEL LORENZO DEAN
BREONNA TAYLOR
GEORGE FLOYD
DAVID MCATEE
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