How City Girls Can Support Black Lives Matter
The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA on May 25 2020 was not a one of event. It is yet another brutal murder and a sign of the systematic racism against black people in our society. What George’s death has done is spark protests all over the world, and a conversation that is long overdue about black lives, white privilege and the lack of support and education this topic deserves.
Racism, discrimination and hate crimes aren’t just happening in the USA either, it is just as prevalent in the UK. It happens every day, people have lost their lives, and it’s not OK.
Educate
For white people, fully understanding the situation and meaning of Black Lives Matter (BLM) can be difficult. White privilege is real, and unchecked bias can be unintentionally harmful. We have to be responsible for educating ourselves about this subject in order to become an ally. Sitting back and doing nothing is no longer an option.
This time all around the world is an intensely traumatic experience for our Black friends, family and colleagues. They have been racially discriminated against their entire lives, and to fear for their lives simply because of the colour of their skin is a feeling I can’t even begin to understand and put into words.
Ask what you can do to help. What do you need to know and how can you provide them with support? The uncomfortable feeling of shame or worrying you will say the wrong thing is why we all need to put in the work to get this right.
How can you actively educate yourself? Start with these reading recommendations:
No White Saviours: is an advocacy campaign led by a majority female, majority African team of professionals based in Kampala, Uganda.
Me and White Supremacy How to Recognise Your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change the World, by Layla Saad. Available here.
Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race, by Reni Eddo-Lodge. Available here.
How To Be Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi. Available here.
Donate
There are so many fantastic charities and initiatives for supporting the BLM movement. You can donate directly to Black Lives Matter here. Black Lives Matter has also compiled a fantastic resource ‘ways to help’ for if you’re looking to donate, including supporting the victims, arrested protesters, black-owned businesses and other important funds.
You can also donate to the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity ‘Show Racism the Red Card.’. They provide workshops, training, and lots of other resources all with the aim of tackling racism in society.
Why not join the Stand Up To Racism movement as a member? The membership money helps the charity to challenge discrimination and racism across the world, and co-ordinate anti-racist initiatives with the aim of eliminating racism altogether.
I know not everyone is financially able to donate money to the above causes, but there are other ways in which you can financially help the Black Lives Matter movement.
Support
Support black businesses when you’re looking to purchase products and services. Question your companies hiring policy if there isn’t fair representation in your workspace. Call out racism when you hear it. Call out TV shows and panels if there are only white people on them, and if you are in a position of influence- influence.
Stop supporting businesses that actively promote hate and don’t represent Black People- it is up to you to do your research before you give your time and money to a business or brand. Model and transactivist Munroe Bergdorf was dropped from L’Oreal Paris UK after she wrote a Facebook post calling out white privilege- the same brand which is now aligning themselves with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Brands that are blatantly in it for the money and using the #blacklivesmatter as though it is a trend don’t deserve anyone’s time or money. It is up to us to do our own due diligence.
If you’re in the USA or Canada, take a look here for your nearest Black Lives Matter chapter and with 10.5 million signatures already, add yours to the Justice for George Floyd on Change.org.
Protect
It isn’t just the USA that is experiencing racial discrimination. Here is the UK every day there are cases of racially motivated attacks, and racial profiling by the police and media.
Belly Mujinga was a railway ticket office worker who died of Covid-19 after she was assaulted by a man who claimed to have the virus while working on the front line in London Victoria station, helping to keep the services running. He spat and coughed in her face.
She leaves behind her husband and her 11-year-old daughter. With underlying respiratory problems, she pleaded to be given access to PPE when working outside of the safety of the ticket office but was told she had to go out without it. It just isn’t good enough.
Help her cause by write to the TSSA (the union Mujinga was a member of) using this email template. Sign the Justice for Belly Mujinga petition here and donate to support Belly’s family here.
Protest
It should not have taken the murder of a man to ignite this conversation, outrage and outpouring of support. As the anger from the general media dies down as time goes on, it is important to remember that without real action, nothing will have changed.
Protesting is a way of keeping this in the news, the conversation alive and showing our elected representatives that this is a topic that needs to be supported.
We understand that right now many of our City Girls cannot leave the house, the pandemic is a barrier to exercising our right to physically protest, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make signs for your window, write to your MP or support local BLM initiatives.
If you do choose to protest, please take precautions for your safety. Wear a well-fitted mask or face-covering, maintain social distancing, bring some hand sanitizer and use it regularly, take some ID a list of emergency contact information. Please do not go out to join protests if you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has Covid-19 within the last 14 days, or if you are in the vulnerable category- there are so many other ways you can help but still stay safe.
There is so much information to take in, resources to access and Black People’s voices to listen to. It can be easy to get overwhelmed, with so much to read and so much to learn- especially if you’re new to the conversation and want to learn more and help. By continuing the conversation, changing the way we think about race, racism and privilege we can all make a difference.
The City Girl Network has a zero-tolerance policy on hate speech and discrimination, and we will continue to use our platforms to call out racism, support your campaigns and offer a safe space to reach out for help.
Written by Rachael Mole
