We are part of the generation that can help to make lasting change and can help to make sure that the words in the Constitution aren't empty but a promise for generations that come after us. The protests may die out, the media attention may wane but there are always things that we can do to uplift the Black community. There are people who have spent their whole lives combatting structural racism and will continue to do so, even when the publicity stops and the media turns to the next big story. Here are some things that we can do to keep up the momentum towards making change for Black people and all people in the United States.
Vote in every election and make sure that you are informed about the candidates. Informed voting in the federal and local elections is a major key. Know what the positions responsibilities are and what you would like to see in those positions. We vote for many important positions at the local level including county executives, Board of Education members, judges, attorney generals, governors, and others.
Be engaged in your community. Know what is going on and what decisions are being made. Know members of your community that may be running for offices, get to know people that you would like to see running for offices, maybe even consider running yourself. If we want to make change we can't just vote, we have to make sure the right candidates are being elevated. You can do this by tuning into county events, town halls, public meetings, political organizations and more.
Support Black businesses! Economic power is important. We have to be willing to lift one another up and support businesses that will feed into our community. There is a huge wealth gap in America and we can start to rectify this by supporting our own businesses.
Continue to educate yourself on the issues. Read. Learn. Learn about different perspectives and understand why you do or don't agree with them. Understand that there is a lot of American history that people don't want us to know and work to uncover that.
Use your platform to speak up. Twitter and Instagram and other social media shouldnt be the end of your activism but the beginning. With social media everyone has a platform, even if it's small. Elevate what you believe in using these forms of media and use to educate others.
Tell your congressperson to support H.R. 40: a resolution that will examine the legacy of slavery and to research and develop a plan for reparations. Reparations were an idea introduced during the (very brief) reconstruction era, post slavery. Reparations would provide a settlement of types to Black families who were effected by slavery. Reparations have happened Japanese internment survivors got $20,000 .
Share your gifts. Get involved with a local or national organization and use what you're good at to support, it may be coding, writing, graphic design, organizing or so many other things. It takes a lot of people with a lot of different talents and experiences to create a successful movement so don't downplay what you can do to make a change.
Donate to local organizations fighting against racism. There are many organizations whose efforts don't stop when the media attention does, donate to organizations that work towards the issues that you're passionate about.
Reach out to your local officials, sign petitions, send emails. When there is something wrong in your community speak up about it. Public officials are (though not always) there to listen to the needs and wants of people. If there's something wrong that you see in your community reach out to them and encourage others to reach out to them as well.
PROTEST: Use your voice, put your feet on the ground
*BONUS* There are only so many things that we can control in life, one of those is the way that we treat others. Donating, reaching out and staying informed aren't effective if you're not living in a way that upholds Black lives. If you're not a Black person think about ways in your everyday life you can uplift Black people, it may be at your job, in your home or in your school. Use the privilege that you have to uplift others. If you are Black continue to support other Black people, know that even though we are all Black we have different experiences so don't tear down the experiences of others. Keep living your life purposefully, reaching for your dreams, and being unapologetically Black.
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