The Resources Are There

 

I have been rather silent on some forms of social media, say Facebook, because I hate it, and on others, I’ve been sharing the information that TONS have made easily accessible, this is not a time to remain quiet on all fronts though. Our fellow humans need us, BLACK LIVES MATTER. AND THEY HAVE BEEN TELLING US NONBLACK FOLKS THIS FOREVER. Finally more and more are listening.

That’s a good thing.

What’s not good? Being too lazy to dig for information yourself and relying on others to do the work for you, especially those in the Black community.

I’m not talking about scrolling through Twitter and boom, you have learned something, and you are grateful for this. I’m talking about asking for resources when they are literally being dropped at your feet.

Want to know more about 2020 Black Author book releases? There’s GoodReads, don’t use GR? There’s Google. There are Twitter threads, there are Instagram posts, do you see where I’m going with this?

For the love of *insert whatever you want here* there are even BuzzFeed list posts for this.

But, I’m more here today to help share the resources that the amazing online community has been putting together. I’ll do this in sections, remember, I didn’t do the hard work to put this together, I’m sharing their hard work and the credit goes to THEM.

BLM Resources for Protestors, Donations, Petitions and More

 

https://blacklivesmatter.com/resources/ [Probably the most important URL on this list and it has resources that are aimed to Black and White/NonBlack (to help educate us and help those organizing things for BLM)]

 

https://www.bleumag.com/2020/06/03/30-blm-petitions-you-should-sign-right-now/

 

Indi has also now transferred this information to an easier to read spreadsheet:

8CANTWAIT.ORG (Campaign Zero)

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✊🏿✊🏾Hey fam, many of you have been asking what more you can do and we’ve heard you. Today we launch a new campaign: #8CANTWAIT. Together these 8 use of force policies can reduce police violence by 72%. And your Mayor has the power to adopt them all right now. We need YOU to call and email your mayors, wherever you are, and tell them to adopt these 8 life-saving policies RIGHT NOW! We cannot standby any longer while the police kill people. Visit 8CANTWAIT.ORG and use our tools to find your Mayor’s contact info, and see if your city already has any of these policies in place. Help us spread the word and tag 10 people you want to see this policy! Together we CAN END police violence in America.✊🏿✊🏾

A post shared by Campaign Zero (@campaignzero) on Jun 3, 2020 at 12:09pm PDT

NorthernPlunder is one of the many Bookstagrammers helping to share the information that’s been put out there for us

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-QT2YAJ9E/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Bowties & Books is amazing, her vigil last night was beautiful and heartbreaking, one of the MANY, and I mean MANY Black Bookstagrammers you can follow, it’s not her job to educate us, it’s not any of their jobs, but, still, they’re helping us learn and grow.

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🤎Respectability politics sound like, "sagging is ghetto" "thank you for calmly educating me" "They deserved to be shot for talking back to police" "ur SO well spoken!" Respectability politics: A flawed ideology in which marginalized classes are instructed that their oppression will end if they simply become "more respectable". It is classic victim blaming and divisive rhetoric; a tool for white people to transpose responsibility for racism onto the shoulders of black people. The ONLY thing that will protect black people is institutional reform and an end to white supremacy. Period. Respectability politics exist to create social hierarchies among black folks. . ✊🏽My college degree, my "good" English, my dapper clothing have done nothing to insulate me from racism. They didn't protect me from getting tear gassed at a peaceful protest. My bowtie didn't protect me when I was pulled over by police TWICE in one day and had broken no laws. One of the officers didn't even bother telling me why I was being pulled over – he just immediately asked for my license and proof of insurance. They didn't protect me at age 7 when my mother and I were pulled over and a police officer pointed a gun at me. They didn't protect me from being followed around fancy boutiques or from a white woman loudly asking "do you REALLY live in this building???" as I tried to enter my fancy apartment complex. Black lives do not need to be WELL DRESSED and well spoken to be precious. All black lives matter. . . ✊🏽Aiyana Stanely Jones was shot in the head by police in her own home. She was 7 years old. To be candid: fuck your respectability politics. There is no outfit, no age, no "good english", that will keep black people safe. we are at risk 24/7, 365 days a year for violence. "I was a kid until I was 8 years old – then I became a Negro" – Richard Pryor. . . ✊🏽Here is something you can do to help us get justice for George Floyd: swipe right to see phone numbers and emails you can contact to demand that the licenses of all four officers involved Share them. CALL. EMAIL. It will take all of us to get this done.

A post shared by Bowties & Books (@bowtiesandbooks) on Jun 3, 2020 at 9:22am PDT

 

Mireille has put together this brilliant guide to ’10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship, and you should follow her anyway.

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Social media has been a bit overwhelming since I first put up this post so it has taken some time for me to post this. On Friday, I shared this content on Twitter after I felt the conversations online were like screaming into an echo chamber. I wanted to provide those who wanted to support and be an ally with practical tips to move forward and make a change in our society. I am still somewhat surprised and overwhelmed by the reception so please take patience with me at this time. — For a note on who I am to those who have followed me from Twitter, my name is Mireille. I'm an assistant editor and I do freelance writing, PR and sensitivity reading and other bits on the side. I am extremely passionate about diversity and inclusion, and everything I have shared is not new knowledge to me. From as far back as I can remember I've been campaigning, fighting for equality and supporting and working with black owned organisations. I have worked in the diversity and inclusion space for around four years and I have been equipped with knowledge, skills etc through that work as well as through wider, intensive reading and being raised by a Jamaican mother who has a degree in Women's Studies. I felt as a mixed race person who was emotionally capable despite the current situation that I could use my learned experience, skills and compassion to offer this advice to allies and anyone else who was seeking advice but didn't know where to turn. This is now on my stories as a highlight so please feel free to share from there or here. — A small reminder that this took emotional labour and POC, especially black people are not here to teach you everything. When I said ask how you can support, I meant on a personal level as a friend etc. I hope this toolkit provides you with the starter info you need but there are genuinely people more experienced than me who warrant your listening to – please go and follow @nowhitesaviors, @laylafsaad, @rachel.cargle, @ckyourprivilege, @iamrachelricketts, @thegreatunlearn, @renieddolodge, @ibramxk + a few more: @akalamusic, @katycatalyst + @roiannenedd who all have books or resources from many more years of experience. _

A post shared by Mireille Cassandra Harper (@mireillecharper) on May 30, 2020 at 1:58pm PDT

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Supporting Black-Owned Businesses

 

Just look up the hashtags, seriously, it is that damn easy, here are a couple of UK examples of like the billion posts you can use to support Black-owned businesses.

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More listed below in caption and comments. Some brilliant black-owned businesses mostly from the UK that you can buy/follow right now. Compiled with help from resources online @ukjamii @blackwomensdirectory @IamKristabel 🙏 please add anymore suggestions #supportblackbusiness Cookbooks  1. Original Flava @originalflava 2. Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen by @ghanakitchen 3. Hibiscus by Lopè Ariyo @lopeariyo 4. Ethiopia by Yohanis Gebreyesus @chef_yohanis 5. Belly Full by Riaz Phillips @Belly.full ✨ Food & Drink 1. Chikas snacks @chikasfoods 2. Grazing Boxes @berryandbrie  3. Yard Confectionary @yardconfectionery 4. Cabby’s Rum @cabbysrum 5. Cham Cham hot pepper sauce @nimsdin 6. @patandpinkys 7. @theblackfarmer 8. @thegymkitchen ✨ Beauty & Haircare Brands 1. Liha Beauty: skin oils, shea butters @LihaBeauty  2. BeautyStack: @beautystack  3. Bouclème: afro and curly hair products @boucleme  4. Afrocenchix: Hair products @afrocenchix  5. The Afro Hair and Skin Company: shampoo bars, hair masks, face masks @afrohairandskinco 6. @radswan (launching soon) 7. @charlottemensah ✨ Fashion & Accessory brands  1. Wales Bonner: menswear and womenswear @walesbonner 2. Casely-Hayford: suits @caselyhayfordlondon 3. Daughter of a Bohemian: upcycled pieces and workshops @daughterofabohemian 4. Daily Paper: menswear and womenswear  @dailypaper  5. Aaks: basket bags @a.a.k.s  6. Martine Rose @martine_rose 7. Nubian Skin @nubianskin  8. Sincerely Nude @sincerelynude Home & Lifestyle  1. Prick: cacti and plantcare  @prickldn 2. Bespoke Binny @bespokebinny 3. New Beacon Books : Specialists in African and Caribbean Literature @newbeaconbooks 4. Bonita Vie Stationary @bonitaivieprints 5. @labasketry 5. Reset Travel @Resettravel ✨ Publications / Platforms @galdemzine @theirinjournal  @womenwho  @forworkingladies @thy.self @blackgirlfest @azeemamag @modernlit @prim.black

A post shared by Emily Ames (@emames7) on May 31, 2020 at 5:01am PDT

 

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Here are some of the black women owned hair care brands that will be on the site. Pictures 1/2 – @NadiaEsi for natural hair care products, most notably her Hair Growth Elixir. Founded by @ewura_esi3 Pictures 3/4 – @afrocenchix for natural vegan hair care products. Go follow their page and shop on their website! Founded by @raecorson & @joycelyn_abi #blackwomenownedbusiness #buyblack #blackownedbusiness #blackwomensdirectory #bwd #supportblackbusiness #supportblackownedbusinesses

A post shared by Black Women's Directory (@blackwomensdirectory) on Jun 3, 2020 at 9:11am PDT

 

Want something more bookish?

 

Afrotech’s list of 10 Black-owned online bookstores

 

African American Literature Book Club: Black Owned Bookstores in the United States

 

 

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Thanks to @avidreaderpress for compiling this awesome list of Black-owned bookstores. Order from them for your next quarantine reads!! #blacklivesmatter #blackstoriesmatter

A post shared by Sarah Glenn Marsh (@sarahmarshauthor) on Jun 3, 2020 at 6:16am PDT

 

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Black voices matter. Black stories matter. Black lives matter.⁠ ⁠ We stand in solidarity with the Black community, our readers, and colleagues. We believe change can come from many places – and education is a powerful tool to start. For non-Black people wanting to be part of positive change, it requires wading through discomfort, having difficult conversations, and leading by example.⁠ ⁠ It also means amplifying the voices of Black authors that will inform, challenge, enlighten and help readers foster change from within. ⁠ ⁠ We’ve created a list of books you can read that speak specifically to getting smarter about anti-racism. Link in bio.⁠ ⁠ We also wanted to amplify Black voices on our site. On the kobo.com homepage, every single book featured is written by a Black author. From romance to nonfiction to fantasy and more, Black voices will be front and centre.⁠ ⁠ For the rest of the week, we will be silent on social media, and encourage you to read these books, listen to these voices, and start taking the steps to implement change. #blacklivesmatter #amplifyblackvoices

A post shared by Rakuten Kobo (@kobobooks) on Jun 3, 2020 at 6:53am PDT

 

How about some cute ass pins?

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this is my third time trying to post this but instagram won't let me for some reason. check out these amazing artists! they're all so talented and deserve way more recognition 🖤 EDIT: instagram isn't letting me tag everyone so here's a list of people i'm not able to tag: @mamobot (not black but a poc, made the pin featured in straydogstrut's photo who is now inactive) @labillustration @asherbeeart @kingfaun @adornedbychi @myfilibo @elixiadraws @sjohnsondesigns @theminnesotapins @grl_trbl @chenxira @sweetbitzapparel @_holobat_ pin artists i found after making this post: @happilyrudderless @moshimelon @sheillustrates @jjarts05 @sabrenakhadija @bobbiepinsco @sugarysymbiote @manekiink @darkdevils_designs @beanyebunnie @yourfavoritepinpal @thequeensupreme @eat_more_spiders @pricksterpins #amplifymelanatedvoices #supportblackartists #supportblackbusinesses

A post shared by 🌔🌓🌒𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖎𝖓 𝖕𝖆𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖊🌘🌗🌖 (@palaceofresin) on Jun 2, 2020 at 11:32am PDT

 

More Cute Ass Crafty Things

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these are all amazingly talented artists who deserve way more love! i wish instagram allowed more slides… if you know any crafters not mentioned here please let me know. i'll be continuing to post black creators all this week 🖤 EDIT:instagram still isn't letting me tag everyone smh so here are the rest of the creators : @sweetartcrafts_ @thecolourpolkadot @pri_jewels @resinwishes @sugartrampoline @fluffyheartscrafts @xxplortivity @u.l.art @raineydaycraftz @artbaemeca @cocoa_kawaii @profoundly__me @cutee_craft creators i found after making this: @honeypotdeco @ah_dorkable @intercosmic_dust @melted_nirvana @themadcraftershop @carolinabombshell @thepiscescrybaby @creativedimez @forbiddensnacks @ughwhiskey @bangtanbabe2_ @hippieartique @doe_s_crafte_ @shop_with_toi @lady_psyren @gee_crafteee @glamboardsplus1 @lilmuffindreams #amplifymelanatedvoices 🖤

A post shared by 🌔🌓🌒𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖎𝖓 𝖕𝖆𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖊🌘🌗🌖 (@palaceofresin) on Jun 3, 2020 at 10:45am PDT

 

Etsy even has it’s own page for Black-Owned

https://www.etsy.com/uk/market/black_owned

 

 

I have now compiled a small list of what is out there, to show you all how easy it is to find these things. YOU NEED TO LOOK, We have to be active, or things will never change, or if they do, it won’t be because we did anything, and, really, that makes us complicit. GO LOOK. This is mainly at my fellow White/NonBlack people, but the resources are for everyone and I’m so grateful to every single person and site on this list.

 

Also, this is also going on in the world…We gotta make sure we pay attention.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/duterte-allies-pass-anti-terrorism-bill-congress-200603114854123.html