I just couldn’t bring myself to create a movement related blog last week. Or this week. I wanted to take my time and put this together instead. There are WAY more important things to bring to the surface right now…

Y’all, my heart is heavy. And my soul in enraged. But honestly, over this, it’s about damn time. I don’t think it’s a secret to anyone who knows me that I’m an empath and I feel things deeply. But the fact of the matter still remains that I am a white female. So no matter how much I feel right now, it’s just the tip of what black people have been feeling their whole lives. If you saw my IG post last Wed, you read just 2 examples of how racism and social injustice was prevalent where I grew up. And I strongly remember the feeling as a kid of not understanding why blacks were any different than whites (none of us are born racist) and being angry and constantly asking “but why?” when anyone tried to explain why they were seen or treated differently in society. But with what I’ve been reading and hearing more recently, I see now how things like even our history classes are essentially white washed. So without even realizing it, I was slowly conditioned. Not to outwardly see blacks as different or lesser than, but to an extent, we are trained to inwardly have some bias. And to “let things slide” and see racism as something that fits in the category of “accept the things we cannot change.” Society does it little by little through things like teaching us Christopher Columbus discovered America (can you really discover somewhere that others already inhabit?) , and learning in history class all about certain parts of the Civil War and slavery, but it’s honestly brushed over and racism almost came across as a taboo topic ( if you have a different experience, please share it with me, but this is what I experienced, as well as anyone I’ve discussed it with). Or by the vast majority of people we see in TV being white unless the show/movie fits a negative stereotype given to blacks - then you may see majority blacks, further playing into those sterotypes and conditioning us, kind of like Pavlov’s dogs - see a black person, lump them into the stereotypes. Now, I realize this may come off as extreme and a lot of you are probaly thinking “well, sure, society does that, but not me”….I challenge you (because before really thinking about it, that’s what I would have said)…Have you ever labeled someone as the “whitest black person you know” or the “blackest white person you know”? If so, why? For the former, was it because they speak “proper”, because they are well eduated and successful, because they dress more “upper class” like, etc? For the latter, is it because they can hip hop dance, enjoy R&B and jazz and rap, will rock cornrows, and will tell you how it is starting with “aw helll no”? (there are plenty of others, like guys sagging pants, wear chains, etc that could get a white person labeled as the “blackest white person” but I’ve been called such in the past for the reasons I listed. Or so I was told).

The more sadening and madening part about all of it is WE’VE ALL KNOWN HOW IT’S BEEN AND WE’VE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME. Yet what have we actively done? NADA. And that’s on us (white people) each individually. Because being complacent, staying silent, and accepting it is simply UNACCEPTABLE at this point. And please don’t go running to your nearest black friend and ask them to explain. They are tired, and rightfully so. So if you haven’t watched this clip from Jane Elliot, please do. Because it will punch you right in the gut with the knowledge that you have been part of the problem, regardless of whether or not you meant to be (myself included). And if you’re like me, you come away from it wanting to immediately start standing up for what you feel is right and supporting #blacklivesmatter . Because until they matter just as much as white lives, “all lives matter” is NOT reality.

Let me be very clear. The playing field is not, and has never been, equal. I’m talking about ALL aspects of life: economics, education, housing, voting, healthcare, etc. And yes, I believe the US criminal justice system needs a complete overhaul. Do I think all cops are bad? Absolutely not. But that’s just not an area where it’s ok to have a “bad apple” as some people try to argue. And the good cops are still part of a racist system designed to protect whites and imprison blacks.

Ok, so you, like myself, have started to realize just how much we have perpetuated a racist society. Now what? Now you unlearn and re-learn through education and LISTENING. Stop getting defensive immediately, drop your ego, and do the work.

Please note, there are SOOO many more resources than the ones listed. If you have some that you have found super helpful, PLEASE drop them in the comments with links!!

Got kids?

• I’m gonna put this suggestion at the top, because it starts with not just ourselves, but also teaching the next generation better. I’m sure there are more resources, but Amazon has put together a list of books for kids to celebrate diversity and inspire change

Resources for furthering your own education and awareness:

• Follow and support Austin Channing, author of the book I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made For Whiteness and creator of The Next Question - a “community of people celebrating Blackness, resisting injustice, and engaging n revolutionary re-education” (You can do the free version, but I highly recommend subsribing to get SO much for information)

• This list of online courses and workshops that help you examine your own bias, including Austin Channing, Rachel Cargle, Rachel Ricketts, Layla F Saad, and more.

• Me and White Supremacy - this book is definitely gaining awareness right now. I started it the other day on Audible and Layla F Saad does an amazing job being very transparent from the get-go as to who this is for (anyone who can be perceived as white beyond people who are actually white), how there are other privilege types, and that this will be HARD work that will require some self care in order to get through. And that it is FOREVER work. I also love that it’s broken up into segments with several journal prompts. The link is for Amazon, because just about every independent Black-owned bookstore I looked at was sold out, but in case it gets back in stock, here’s an option from my homestate of SC, and here’s the list I used to try and find books online via Black owned businesses

• The Bluest Eye - a book by Toni Morrison

  • Tells the story of a young Black girl who craves nothing more than blue eyes, shedding a light on the reality of growing up Black in a society where Eurocentric beauty standards are high. (link given is for a Black-owned bookstore that sells this online. Also available through Amazon)

• The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy by Andrea Flynn, Dorian T. Warren, Felicia J. Wong, and Susan R. Holmberg

• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (discovered this book via Alicia Key’s recent list of suggested reads). I haven’t read this yet, but I just ordered it and will be reading it soon. Again, this can be found on Amazon, but I found a Black-owned bookstore that you can order from online to link (Eso Won Bookstore in LA)

  • “The unforgettable New York Times best seller begins with the story of two half-sisters, separated by forces beyond their control: one sold into slavery, the other married to a British slaver. Written with tremendous sweep and power, Homegoing traces the generations of family who follow, as their destinies lead them through two continents and three hundred years of history, each life indeliably drawn, as the legacy of slavery is fully revealed in light of the present day.”

• “Change Starts With Me” - A fantastic podcast episode by The Movement Maestro (a badass Black rehab professional) who gets incredibly vulnerable with her experiences and realizations.

• How to Create Diversity with your Online Business - by Rachel Rodgers. BETTER YET she’s hosting a town hall meeting TOMORROW for small biz owners who really want to put their words into actions and commit to building anti-racist organizations

• Racism, Inequality, and Health Care for African Americans by Jamila Taylor - Some of these stats will shock you. And they are important to be aware of as they bring light to discrepancies

• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - KNOW HER NAME!!! Link is to the book, but there is also a movie if that’s more your speed. Her DNA was taken without permission by doctors and her cells were used to create the polio vaccine, cancer meds, HIV meds, and so much more. Apparently people tried to also take samples from her kids. Her family has never received ANY compensation while medical companies make billions from what her cells created.

• Chrissy King - follow her, take her course “Anti-Racism for Wellness Professionals: How to Show up Better”

• Fellow physical therapists and anyone interested in that career path, check out this list of amazing Black changemakers in the profession! (Thank you to ICE for bringing this article to my awareness. And as much as I love ICE, I’m not tagging them because it’s a predominantly white organization and promoting non-Black resources is not a priority this week)

Donate / Support

This is obviously not an exhaustive list. And I’m not saying other org’s aren’t worthy. These are just some good starting points

• Black Lives Matter - donate, shop, sign up for updates, sign the petitions …support in any way you can

• Color of Change - actionable steps in the fight against injustice.

• Equal Justice Initiative - fighting racial inequity in the criminal justice system

• The Trayvon Martin Foundation - combats racial profiling

  • These last 2 groups are listed as ones Alicia Keys’ picked to be supported by her We Are Here Movement which she started years ago to help people find good groups to donate to more readily rather than get overwhelmed by the options and/or be unsure if their funds were really getting put to good use. She and her team did the leg work to make sure these were sound groups using their funds appropriately and fighting to make the world a better place. The We Are Here Movement website is down, but you can read about it and the groups it supported in this article .

• Research Black-owned companies and brands to support. Really like makeup? Or hair care? Or do you really like rocking graphic tees? Do some leg work and find some Black-owned companies to buy from. I personally have been using Black-owned hair products (Shea Moisture and Carol’s Daughter specifically) for the majority of my life simply because they’re the only products I’ve found that work for my hair type. But I am vowing to be more intentional from now on with what brands I support. Including NOT supporting brands who don’t have diversity in their marketing, etc. Oh, and shout out to my friend’s mom, Donna Sewell, who owns The Matcha Tea girl who has AMAZING products includin the BEST facial bar and scrubs ever. If that’s up your ally, please go support her

• I love Etsy and the autonomy it gives creators. Here are some Black owned Etsy shops to check out

• This website makes it easy to find any kind of business in your community that is owned by a specific demographic (Black, Asian, LGBTQ, etc)

Resources for Blacks in an undeniably hard time

While I understand that I will never understand what you’re feeling right now, I know you’re not okay. There is a lot you are processing right now. Give yourself some grace. And though I cannot know what you’re going through, I am here for you. Hopefully these resources will help as well.

• Tarana Janeen (an all around badass powerhouse woman and the founder of the “Me Too” movement) put together a post where she lists several great resources for Blacks to “learn and heal, find joy and laughter, as well as some unpacking of this moment”. All resources are tagged in the slides. Check it out on IG here

• A list of 10 virtual mental health resources that cater to the Black community

• This is a list I came across of all kinds of resources and support groups on everything from support for Black children to National Associations for Blacks in various professions

Hopefully for anyone who hasn’t known where to start or has felt overwhelmed at the options, this gives a solida starting point. Pick one and go from there. And remember, this isn’t a fad or a 28-day-cleanse kinda thing. This is deep, hard, uncomfortable, FOREVER work. Get going.