Black Lives Matter. These are heavy words, laden with compounded historical injustice. To stand beside those lives is to stand abashed at the bravery and fortitude that living in our society requires of them at every single moment. This should not be so, and those of us with privilege must actively seek change. This begins with listening, self-education and advocacy. This work can be difficult and uncomfortable, and we must do it anyway –the option not to is privilege itself.
How to Help from Home
Educational resources curated from third party sources. This list may be updated often. Please send any suggestions you would like us to include to [email protected]
Educational Resources for Allies
Click here for a large directory of articles you can read right now.
Click here for a detailed document on what you can do every day to become more informed and an active ally to the Black community.
Click here for a short article on 10 ways you can support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Click here for a wonderful Google Drive folder filled with books, PDFs, videos, and much more to educate yourself and others on Black history.
Click here for movies, documentaries, series, podcasts and more.
Click here for a directory of educational resources explaining what Black incarceration is and how racial injustice is upheld in the U.S. legal system.
Click here to read an article detailing how America is nearly as segregated as it was fifty years ago, despite the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Click here to watch.
Resources for Parents & Kids
Click here for kids’ books, podcasts, and other resources about diversity, race, and inclusion published by NY Metro Parents.
Click here for a Twitter thread curated by a Black teacher with links to different books.
Mental health is one of the vital issues facing the Black community in America. Sadly, given the racism and racial injustice African Americans have faced, it’s not surprising that they have become more susceptible to struggle with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
How can you help as an ally?
Click here for a long list of Black-owned businesses in NYC.
Click here for a list of Black-owned bookstores around the nation, many in NYC.
Click here for a list of petitions that still need signatures.
Click here for a Twitter thread of petitions demanding justice for stolen Black lives that have received little to no exposure.
Share links to educational resources and/or GoFundMe campaigns to support families whose loved ones have been murdered by the police. Email and call your representatives and city officials demanding justice.
Initiate a dialogue with family members who may not understand the Black Lives Matter movement. Share your educational resources with them and encourage them to learn more about the injustice Black people have lived through for hundreds of years.
You can find bail funds online to donate to, helping those arrested for protesting and demanding equality and justice. You can also donate resources such as food and water to those providing jail support. If you have a business in an area with active protests, and feel comfortable, you can open your space to allow protesters to charge their phones and seek shelter.
Understand that Black Lives Matter is not a temporary, or new, movement and that your support is still needed after protests end. Continue to educate yourself and others in your life, continue to use your voice, continue to support Black-owned businesses and make space for Black voices – even after the topic is no longer trending online. This movement will persist until Black people are able to live freely in this country.