Too many innocent lives have been brutally taken because of the color of their skin, and it is high time we put an end to it. As citizens in nearly every major city protest in the streets, enduring the summer heat, the wrath of the police force, and the risk of contracting the infamous coronavirus, the current state of the Black Lives Matter movement could be revolutionary.
As a white person in full support of the movement, I'm struggling to know what I can do to show my support without accidentally saying or doing something insensitive. As I continue to educate myself on the matter, I've discovered pages and pages of solid resources, methods of donating, and online petitions. With access to such a public platform as The Odyssey, I couldn't not share these helpful links.
This article goes out to those of you having similar struggles as me and to those of you wanting to show support but are worried about the risk of coming in contact with the coronavirus. For those who are able to join the public protests, keep doing so, but please keep it peaceful.
Let's end this injustice once and for all.
Donate
Money is powerful, and, in the right hands, it can create powerful change. If you have the means to, making a donation to a good cause can be one of the most helpful methods of support. Here are a few links to some current active funds:
https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/about
Sign Petitions
By following the links below, you can digitally sign valid petitions and find information on current movements from the comfort and safety of your home. Even if you are able to get out and protest, it's still crucial that you reach out to your community representatives. Make your voice heard in more ways than one.
https://www.wecantbreathenational.org/
https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justiceforfloyd_george_floyd_minneapolis
Seek Education
One of the simplest, most effective ways to support the Black Lives Matter movement is to buy from black-owned businesses. Do a little research, locate these businesses in your area, and get to shopping.
The World Wide Web is at our fingertips. You can support the movement by educating yourself on black history and culture, reading their stories, and developing an understanding of why a major shift in perspective is so incredibly needed. An easily accessible source right now is actually Spotify, who has teamed up to create insightful podcasts, news bits, and playlists that exhibit songs of empowerment and pride.
