How to Sustain Your Anti-Racist Work
If you’re like me, you may be feeling discouraged that the push to become anti-racist has felt like it has started to dwindle. I know many cities still are having huge peaceful protests (woohoo!) and I am so glad to hear that, but there is a fear that once the “trendiness” in the media and attention are subsided, that the actual hard work will be forgotten. I don’t want that to happen. I wanted to share some ways that you can continue on your anti-racist journey, and how to make sure your pursuits are lifelong:
SOURCE: PEXELS.COM
-Have conversations that are ongoing: Join Facebook groups or forums that are filled with productive conversations, and don’t be afraid to continue bringing the issues up to your friends and family members, even after they may have turned their attention to other things. Be kind and respectful, never tolerating racist jokes or situations, and don’t back down. Keep learning about organizations that are helping in the fight against racism, and always do your due diligence by fact checking things you are sharing or reading on Facebook or other platforms so you can be a source of factual, helpful information.
-Support black-owned business and support black politicians: Putting your money where your mouth is is a practical way to support those who are making headway in the worlds of online companies and politics. If you find a BIPOC politician you support, volunteer to raise awareness or have petitions signed for the issues you care about, and donate money when you are able. Do the same for other causes and issues that you care about, and always try to support black-owned businesses as often as you can.
Stay educated: Doing your own work on your own time, privately or publicly, is deeply important. You should be reading books about race, listening to podcasts by BIPOC persons, and learning more so you can speak from a more informed perspective. Giving black people a voice on your social media is also a great way to elevate their messages, stories, artwork, and music. Share their perspectives, creative work, causes, businesses, and blogs…it will not only give your feed new depth and creativity, it will help expand the perspectives of others in your social media circles.
