A week ago the city I’ve known, loved, lived, and grown in was left heartbroken and angry when yet another Black man, George Floyd, was murdered by the police.

The pain of oppression, systemic racism, and the fact that this is still happening in 2020, cried out. Large, impactful, and moving peaceful protests erupted throughout the Twin Cities, and quickly spread across the country.

Somewhere along the way the destruction happened as riots broke out.

Minneapolis burned: small businesses, communities, and families were torn apart by these devastating riots. Likely suspected that white supremacists – from out of state, or even our own backyards – have incited the violence, spread fear, and caused chaos in our city.

Minneapolis skyline at night from The Commons park.

And this is for certain: these cries, the pain, the protests, the anger are valid.

It is time that we all work together to make systemic changes. We come together to fight racism. We have to actively work in our lives to speak up, and we have to vote for leaders who will listen to Black voices, who will help Black communities thrive, and who will actively work towards dismantling systemic racism and commit to anti-racism.

The beauty of anti-racism is that you don’t have to pretend to be free of racism to be an anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And that’s the only way forward.

-Ijeoma Oluo

This past week, through much reflection, I’ve realized that while I have worked and volunteered and sought opportunities to empower Black communities in the past, this support has somehow slipped by the wayside in the past few years.

I’ve let my privilege take over. I chose to fall complacent, more or less, whether unconsciously or not.

My routine was comforting. It felt secure. Teach, blog, sleep, repeat. And while I think teaching and empowering students is critical work, I’m ashamed I let this other important work – the work of actively supporting Black businesses and communities and voices – slip in other areas of my life.

For that, especially to my Black readers, I am sorry. I vow to do better, to have the hard conversations, to educate myself and others about anti-racism, to follow through with action, not just words. I see you, I hear you, I support you.

I commit to actively working to dismantle systemic racism and white supremacy in our society and communities.

I know this is going to mean accepting imperfection, too. The more one learns, the more one grows, and the better one can do.

This post is going to be actively updated to add to the list of ways to support the Black community here in Minneapolis. If you’re not in Minneapolis, I urge you to find Black owned restaurants and small businesses in your own city to support.

I’m also including educational resources I’ve found useful, for personal work, wherever you might be. There is so much out there, it’s important you do your own research to find what fits best with where you are in your own journey of addressing white privilege and committing to anti-racism.

view of Minneapolis skyline from Stone Arch Bridge

Allyship is not a one week performative act. It’s a lifetime commitment. to educating yourself, listening to constructive criticism, learning from your mistakes, doing your research, and staying aware.

-Candace Reels (@candacereels), via @femalecollective

Comprehensive Lists with Actionable Steps for White People

This list is incredibly comprehensive, full of resources for how to help the Minneapolis protests and community right now.

Ways to Support The Movement Right Now

Donate to black-led anti-racism initiatives and Minneapolis relief efforts:

Can’t donate? Play this Youtube video in the background and let the ad revenue donate for you! Remember to click away and come back to it once the video is done to make sure the ad views are counted again.

Black Owned Restaurants and Small Businesses to Support in Minneapolis

Restaurants

Find a much more comprehensive restaurant list here.

Small Businesses

Ways to Support the Black Food Community

  • Zestful Kitchen put together an amazing collection of cookbooks by Black authors
  • Check this article from Eater for groups to support to see land and food justice for Black Americans.
  • Read this Instagram post from @hailethomas to educate yourself on dietary racism (and check out her other amazing work).
  • Follow, engage with, and share Black food bloggers, photographers, and their recipes.

Don’t forget to VOTE!

Additional Resources: