What Now? Reflections and Anti-Racism Resources
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.
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.
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
- 75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Injustice
- Scaffolding Anti-Racism Resources (Google Doc)
- Anti-Racism Resources for White People (Google Doc)
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:
- NAACP
- ACLU
- Black Lives Matter
- Black Visions Collective (Minnesota)
- Midtown Global Market Fund (Minnesota)
- Minnesota Freedom Fund (Minnesota)
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
- Soul Bowl (so delicious!)
- Golden Thyme Coffee & Cafe
- Trio Plant-Based (an incredible foundation story on racial justice)
- Pimento Jamaican Kitchen
- Milton’s Vittles, Vino, and Beer (a suburb favorite!)
- Tommie’s Pizza
- The Red Sea
- Breaking Bread
Find a much more comprehensive restaurant list here.
Small Businesses
- Queen Anna House of Fashion
- Twenty First Avenue (clothing)
- Bouquets by Carolyn (florist)
- Rituals (natural body products)
- 612 Jungle (hip hop yoga studio currently offering free classes on Instagram)
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:
- Confronting Prejudice: How to Protect Yourself and Help Others
- 19 Black-Owned Banks and How to Support Them
- Black-Owned Home Decor Businesses to Support
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and resources. I’m hopeful our country will come together and continue to push for equality.
Thanks, Kat! I’m hopeful too <3