To start off, this is not about white or black. This is about being anti-racism. This is not a SKIM situation if you know what I mean. Read this in its entirety!
This is not about me. This is about change. This is to hoping my children live in a different world. This is to educate. This is to bring awareness. This is not about us being equal because we are NOT. This is for humanity. We can do this together.
I will continually update this blog post with new information, resources, etc that I find. If you follow on instagram I will tell you what to look up when the next portion is live!
I understand that you want to learn more and I am here to have conversations, but I do not have all the answers. I also have also experienced racism my entire life and I only have my personal experiences. I DO NOT have all the answers!
I want this to be a place you can find resources to learn, advocate, educated and unite against racism!
THE HISTORY
Slave systems did NOT begin in America. Slavery was an institution from Indonesia to India & South Pacific Islands to Arabia. Slavery and slaves were everywhere. Slavery was sustained by large-scale movements of people, enslavement of distant peoples & by transportation (land & water), slave markets and slave societies.
The slave systems developed in America were distinctive because they came to be defined by RACE. Overtime Europeans viewed Africans as a natural slave, a person to be enslaved and purchased, transported for European settlers.
In 1619, slavery in America started. The British had taken Africans from the Portuguese slave ship Sao Jao Bautista.
On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued a preliminary emancipation proclamation. “that all persons held as slaves & are henceforward shall be free.”
Although the slaves were freed in 1865 (Thirteenth Amendment) they were not guaranteed African Americans the rights of American citizenship in 1868 (Fourteenth Amendment), and in 1870 (Fifteenth Amendment) gave black men the constitutional right to vote.
WHY AM I TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED YEARS AGO?
To UNDERSTAND what is happening now, you MUST understand the beginning. This information was found in the Atlas Slavery book.
To get further understanding of the history here are some links:
Life after slavery for African Americans
Black History Milestones: Timeline
INSTAGRAM PAGES WHO TALK ABOUT BLACK HISTORY:
HOW DID #BLACKLIVESMATTER START?
On February 26, 2012, Trayvon, 17 year old African American, was dressed in hooded sweatshirt and was buying a bag of skittles and a bottle of juice. Trayvon Martin’s was walking from convenience store & was shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer patrolling the townhouse community of the Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Florida. Trayvon Martin’s murderer was acquitted and in 2013 #BlackLivesMatter was founded in response.
Black Lives Matter Foundation is a global organization in the US, UK, & Canada whose mission is to “eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on black communities by the state and vigilantes.”
Now we know the history and WHAT this movement is…
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
REGISTER TO VOTE
DONATE
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
READ about what you are donating to and why. RESEARCH THE ORGANIZATION!
SHOW UP TO PROTEST
If you decide to show up to protest, please be aware of your surroundings and be safe!
ACTIVELY LISTEN
If your immediate response to any of this is NOT centered around black lives. Take some time to reflect and listen. Have hard conversations.
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE
If you learn something, SHARE, repost, chat with a friend. Educate each other.
SPEAK UP
Posting on social media is one thing. Reading and educating yourself is another but APPLICATION is everything! If you see something wrong in your personal life ADDRESS it. Have conversations to improve, stand up and SPEAK UP when it’s time!
SUPPORT BLACK CREATORS AND BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS
Businesses:
Influencers:
Just to name a few! If you decide to follow these women, SUPPORT THEM. Like, comment, share, etc. Do NOT follow just to follow.
Here are some links to help you find more businesses:
If you know or are a black owned business please email me
RESEARCH
I do NOT know everything. You should do your own research!
Educate Yourself
PODCASTS
21 Podcasts That Confront Racism in America
If you have a good one, feel free to email me!
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Racism is taught! Introducing your children to different races at a young age is important. Books, dolls, etc can be of all ethnicities.
Here are some links:
31 children’s books to support conversations of race
7 essential books to read that will educate you & your kids on anti-racism
30 plus books to educate kids & teens about race
DIVERSE CARTOONS
List of 4 TV shows
6 diverse TV shows
WATCH
How to Be an Antiracist
Did You Wonder Who Fired the Gun
Do the Right thing
Get Out
Hale County This Morning, This Evening
Just Mercy
The Hate You Give
When They See Us
I Am Not Your Negro
Loving
13th
Little Fires everywhere
Dear White People
If Beale St Could Talk
See You Yesterday
Central Park 5
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
60 Digital Resources for Mental Health
HAVE ANOTHER WAY TO HELP?
At the end of the day, YOU have to put in the work because the change starts with us!
Wife, Daughter, Sister, Friend and the best HYPE girl. In 2016, I went to Thailand and met my husband. Literally, in Koh Phagan, I not only fell in love with this wonderful man, but with all things TRAVEL! February 2020, I started telling my story! I am so HAPPY you are here! LET’S GO ON ADVENTURE!
