June 2, 2020
Many of us are experiencing deep sadness, anger, and pain over the tragic killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. Their deaths are the most recent in a long history of unjust killings of African Americans in our country.
Confronted by such deep, historical racism, we tend to feel overwhelmed and helpless. What can any of us do to interrupt such acts of hatred? How can we put an end to this injustice?
Below are a few resources that can help us all understand how we can work together to fight racism.
Actions you can take as a white ally:
- Authoritarian State or Inclusive Democracy? 21 Things We Can Do Right Now by Eric K. Ward, Western States Center
- Black People Need Stronger White Allies – Here’s How You Can Be One by Stephanie Long
- For Our White Friends Desiring to be Allies by Courtney Ariel
- Anti-Racism Resources for White People
- 5 Ways White People Can Take Action in Response to White and State-Sanctioned Violence by Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
- Why Feeling Uncomfortable Is So Important by Lisa Bodell
- Checking Your White Privilege video by Tim Wise
Resources to spark conversations about race and racism with your children:
- 10 Books About Race To Read Instead of Asking A Person of Color to Explain Things to You by Sadie Trombetta
- An Anti-Racist Reading List by Ibram X. Kendi
- Seeing White – Scene On Radio
- What is Systemic Racism? (short videos)
- 13th – Ava Duvernay
- Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk about Race: Resource Roundup by Katrina Michie
- Race and Social Justice Books for Kids K-5
- Resources for K-12 Students
- 100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say to Your Child to Advance Racial Justice
- NPR: How White Parents Can Talk About Race
- AntiRacist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
Caucusing and conversation tools:
- Tips for Creating Effective White Caucus Groups
- Caucus and Affinity Groups – Racial Equity Tools
- Caucuses as a Racial Justice Strategy: What We Have Learned – JustLead WA
- Teaching about Race, Racism, and Police Violence
- Table Talk: Family Conversations About Current Events – Anti-Defamation League
Tools for interrupting and reporting acts of hatred:
- Bias and Hate Incident Report – Stop the Hate
- Bystander Intervention Training – Hollaback!
- Toolkit for Interrupting Oppression – Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Organizations to follow to learn more about race and justice:
- Western States Center
- Government Alliance for Race and Equity
- Seattle’s Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites (CARW)
- Colorlines
- Race Forward
Offer financial support and resources:
Put your dollars to work by donating to a Minnesota organization for #georgefloyd:
Another way to act now is to donate to Black-led organizations, anti-racist organizations, and Black-owned businesses. Consider donating to the following groups:
- Black Lives Matter – Seattle/King County – Freedom Fund
- Minnesota Freedom Fund
- Louisville Community Bail Fund
- African American Policy Forum
