Muted + Listening. #BlackLivesMatter
I will be taking a break from my usual content to self-reflect, educate myself, listen to Black voices and focus on how we can make permanent, meaningful change in the fight against racial injustice and inequality. I am pausing all personal and sponsored posts for the time being to empower, amplify, and create space for those that need to be heard. Right now there are important things to be addressed, conversations to be had, and news to be spread. Human rights always take top priority over anything else. It doesn’t feel right to be posting my usual content right now.
It is crucial to keep this learning process and support up even after this time period has passed.
As a white woman, my skin color has given me advantages in life and I have benefited from my privilege. I grew up sheltered in an affluent, predominately white town and school district. When I came to NYC, I was exposed to more and learned a lot, but I still have a way to go. I understand that I will never truly understand, but I do realize how important it is to do something. I am committed to holding myself responsible, growing, and doing better.
I see you, I hear you, and I will stand besides you in solidarity as an ally.
The 1st step to taking action is recognizing you even want to help.
Without action, nothing changes.
Even if something doesn’t personally impact you, how can you be unbothered by something so disgustling wrong and act as if nothing is wrong?
Please continue to spread awareness, sign the petitions, email, call, text, make sure you are registered to vote, & donate. Educate yourselves and others. Please be safe if you are protesting.
Stop being “neutral”, don’t be ignorant.
Silence = complicity
Here is a collection of information that I have gathered this week, I will be updating it as I continue to find more and please feel free to comment if you have anything that you would like to add.
If you are protesting:
Make a plan, go with a group of friends and make sure that you tell others that you are going to protest as well as where you plan on being.
Bring water (for drinking & teargas), snacks for energy, earplugs, washclothes, medical supplies, cash, ID, and signs. It may be convienet to bring a backpack to store your items.
Write down your emergency contacts & know your rights.
Do not bring things that can be easily grabbed such as jewelry, anything you don’t want to be arrested with, or contact lenses as they can trap tear gas. Also turn off your phone’s face/touch ID, disable data, and go on airplane mode.
It is advisable to walk, bike, or take public transporation if you are worried about being traced.
We are still currently in a pandemic, please wear a mask! This also can help conceal identifying features.
Wearing goggles or glasses can help protect from tear gas and also conceal your identity. If you happen to get tear gassed or pepper sprayed, avoid rubbing or touching your face as it will make it worse. If you are tear gassed, safely get out of the situation, flush out your eyes, and rinse off your body.
It is also a good idea to wear comfortable footwear, solid colored layered clothing that does not have logos or writing that can be used to identify you, cover identifying tattoos, scars, or birthmarks, and put your hair up. Avoid wearing makeup becasue tear gas can stick to it.
Don’t take or post photos or videos of fellow protestors that can be used to identify them afterwards. Ask yourself why you are doing this, you should not be protesting for social media clout or just to say that you were there, you should be protesting for the cause. Protests are not insta photo opportunities.
To virtual protest, continue to post and share but target the people that need to see or heart it with hashtags that are geated towards the opressor using tags that they frequently follow. You can always make a new, different page to do this as well.
Things that you can do from home if you can not protest:
Sign Petitions
National Action Against Police Brutality
Text “Floyd” to 55156 and sign
Contact Your Representatives This article by Vice is a good place to start
Donate
Fund The Black Lives Matter Movement
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute
TransWomen of Color Collective
Homeless Black Trans Women Fund
National Black Food & Justice Alliance
Communities United Against Police Brutality
If you can not donate, stream this video.
100% of the advertisement revenue this video makes through AdSense will be donated to the associations that offer protester bail funds, help pay for family funerals, and advocacy listed in the beginning of the video. PLEASE share this video, make sure to leave the ads running, repeat the video, and let people know about this easy way to help.
Make sure you are registered to vote
You can get your Absentee Ballot here
June Elections:
- June 9th: Georgia, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina and West Virginia
- June 23rd: Kentucky, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia
- June 30th: Colorado, Oklahoma and Utah
Raise Awareness on Social Media. No matter how big or small your platform is, use it. Avoid sharing content that is traumatic.
Stand up to racist jokes, comments, and actions you encounter. If at school or work report the racist to your superior and make sure the other person is safe.
Educate yourself on racism by reading books, listening to podcasts, and more. Share this newfound knowledge with others around you. Open a discussion and then educate your family and friends. Stay updated, watch the news and don’t turn it off when things get uncomfortable.
Resources to educate yourself:
Harvard’s Project Implicit
Corrine Shutack’s “75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice.”
Pod Save The People With DeRay
9 Powerful Black Female Voices To Follow
Books that you can read:
Stop supporting organizations that promote hate and support.
Black Owned Brands:
Beauty:
Read my previous blog post about Pat McGrath Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation HERE
Fashion:
Image credit: Getty Images
Image Source: Getty / Sean Drakes
Candles:
Nail Polish:
Cruely Free & Vegan Friendly
Household Cleaning Products:
Natural & Non – Toxic
Image Source: Neosha Loves
My Favorite NYC Black Owned Resturants:
Snowdonia NYC – Astoria, Queens
Sweet Chick – Long Island City, Queens
Communitea – Long Island City, Queens
Brooklyn Chop House – Lower Manhattan
Baked Cravings – Upper East Side, Manhattan
Gooey On The Inside Cookies – Lower East Side, Manhattan
Other NYC Black Owned Businesses:
The Lit Bar – Bronx’s Only Bookstore & you can order online!
NYC Black Owned Resturants To Get Take Out From
Long Island Black Owened Resturants To Get Take Out From
I shared New York businesses beacuse they are the ones I know since I live here, but please feel free to share any Black owned buisnesses from your areas in the comments for anyone who may also be from your city!
You have more power than you realize. Let’s stand together.
Implement a long-term strategy, make the effort to continue to do something to better our world.
Disclaimers:
Demetria Kess may partner with other businesses or become a part of different affiliate marketing programs whose products or services may be promoted or advertised on the website in exchange for commissions and/or financial compensation when you click and/or purchase those products or services through our affiliate links or with our codes.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I will only ever include products or brands on this site that I genuinely like/support. I would never intentionally share something negative with my readers. If something comes to light that makes me change my opinion or feelings regarding a specific product or brand, I may remove it for that reason. All opinions are my own.
