Sparkles and Shoes is a place of positivity and so are my social channels but today is different. Today I’m not simply reposting or sharing information you do not already know, instead I am taking time to educate myself. Reading, donating, watching, listening, and trying to make an actionable difference. I encourage you to do the same. #blackouttuesday And when I go back to posting regularly it’s not as if this is a one day thing, I will continue to be the best ally I can be. Today and every day.
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The message above is what I shared across all of my social media on Tuesday and I meant it. Over the past few days as I watch the stories unfold across the US (which is very odd to be watching as an American living abroad). I have come across so many resources and actually one of the best places has bene the things people are sharing on Instagram though it is hard to find them all in one place. Between that and a post that encouraged that you, “screenshot, share, and repost resources to educate those around you” I have aggregated them here for you today/. And yes, this is the first time in years I have not posted a new outfit on Fashion Friday, but some things can wait. Here are ways you can help, donate, learn, and follow:
TO ACT
There are many things you can do right now to make a difference, without leaving your house or even your seat, both for things happening right now and things years in the future:
- Join the 15 Percent Pledge asking major retailers to pledge 15% of their shelf space to black-owned businesses
- Register to vote
- Send pre-written email to Minnesota police, click here for the draft
- Text FLOYD to 55-156
- Text JUSTICE to 66-8336
- Text ENOUGH to 55-165
- Sign the petition Justice for Breonna Taylor [change.org]
- Sign the petition Justice For George Floyd [change.org]
- Sign the petition Just for Bre
- Volunteer online with the United Nations and their “Let’s Fight Racism” initiative
- Volunteer with Rock the Vote to help people register to vote.
TO READ & LISTEN
I will honestly admit, I have not read these books yet as they are on there way from Amazon but I will be sure to report back once I do as they were the top recommended in the space but the podcasts and articles were very well done and I included to two historical speeches form decades ago.
- Don’t Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri
- How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- “I Have A Dream” Speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. (Recording)
- How Much Racism Do You Face Every Day? (New York Times Article)
- Okay, Now Listen (Podcast)
- Racism has a Cost for Everyone by Heather C. McGhee (Ted Talk)
- Speech Against Policy Brutality by Malcolm X (Recording)
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo and Michael Eric Dyson
- White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson
- Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum
TO SHOP & SUPPORT
I found a great deal of new companies as I looked up minority owned businesses (Marie Claire put together a list of 54 black owned businesses and Elle put together a list of 52 black owned and designed fashion brands, plus many more!) and here are a handful that I have items in my cart:
- Auvere True Gold – 22K and 24K gold jewelry made with traditional craftsmanship
- Bonita Ivie Prints – London based graphic designer who makes African print stationery
- Clare – home paint company that ships premium quality paint right to your door
- Kintsugi Candle Co. – candles made with premium essential oils
- Label By Three – minimal and sustainable clothing and homeware
- Mented Cosmetics – Vegan, non-toxic, and cruelty-free beauty products
- Partake Foods – Cookies made with healthy ingredients that are gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO
- Pur Home – Environmentally friendly household cleaners and detergents
- Studio 189 – a fashion lifestyle brand made in Africa with African-inspired clothing
- Telfar – Unisex clothing line from NYC with gorgeous handbags
- UnSun Cosmetics – clean mineral sunscreen for people of all shades
TO DONATE
There are so many great causes and if you are in a position to do so, there are dozens of organzations who could put your excess funds to great use. This is no means by an exhaustive list but it is a starting point. Also see if your employer does matching!
- ACLU – a nonprofit organization which defends and preserves the individual rights and liberties guaranteed laid out in the US Constitution
- Black Lives Matter – supports the ongoing movement and fight to end white supremacy
- Campaign Zero – a police reform campaign started by activists associated with Black Lives Matter
- Color of Change – a nonprofit founded after Hurricane Katrina to use online resources to strengthen the political voice of African Americans
- Communities United Against Police Brutality – an organization that was created “to deal with police brutality on an ongoing basis
- Conscious Kid– a nonprofit which created an Anti-Racist Children’s Books Education Fund
- Fair Fight – ensures fair elections and combats voter suppression
- The Legal Rights Center – non-profit law firm which offers legal defense, educational, and advocacy services
- The Minnesota Freedom Fund – helps to pay criminal bail and immigration bonds for those arrested during protests that cannot afford it.
- NAACP – which is an organization fighting for racial injustice
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund – supports racial justice through advocacy, litigation, and education
- Northstar Health Collective, which provides medics for protesters.
- The Innocence Project – which uses DNA testing to exonerating individuals who have been wrongly convicted
TO FOLLOW
There are great businesses, influencers, and organizations gathering information out there on how you can educate your self and get involved with daily updates – they are worth a follow!
- @audrelordeproject
- @BlackLivesMatter
- @checkyourprivilege
- @colorofchange
- @ethelsclub
- @naacp
- @r29unbothered
- @showingupforracialjustice
- @strongblacklead
- @theconsciouskid
And I am going to end today’s post with two points – questions to ask yourself and things you should not do. Ask yourself; what can you do to support POC in your community? when were you taught about race and culture? and what do you want to learn more about? And then almost as importantly, things that you should not do; don’t turn away from this because it’s hard, don’t close the app because you’re overwhelmed, don’t stop reading because you feel guilty, and don’t stop these behaviours when the trend is over.
Lastly, I know I am not perfect, I know I will make mistakes, perhaps in this post and likely in the future but I am making strides to do the right things and I hope you all will to!
I hope you have found at least a few of these links helpful!
Life Lately and Link Love
30 Things I’ve Learned in 30 Years
Life Lately
Introducing Lily Harper
Missy says
Living in DC these protests are so vivid and real and close to home. Sometimes one wonders what difference can one person make and here are several ways that I can try to make my one person count for a lot.
Thanks for some positive thoughts that can come out of this place that we find ourselves in today.
Jeannie says
Words to live and strive by.
Nice to see so many entities giving back and great list of books/articles to read.