The past few weeks have been hard, seeing the protests and not knowing if the sources are correct and the information is true. I support #BlackLivesMatter, but how can I express that in a positive way that starts a conversation of positivity, not a fight over rights?
I know I need to admit my privilege as a white person, and recognise that doing so doesn’t belittle any other discrimination I face as a woman; that it doesn’t take away from my issues in gender discrimination. After all, being a black woman can be far worse – more likely to die in childbirth and suffer with poorer health care, even here in the UK.
But how? I don’t like a lot of the messages shared online, so I asked a friend what could I do?
Start learning
Firstly, think of this as the start of your learning. This isn’t about centring white people, but it’s a chance to highlight the issues around black existence and disparity.
My advice is: ask questions. How can I help? What can I do? What have been my assumptions and how can I challenge them?
Activities to consider
- Share images of the riots from respected sources.
- Go to a march.
- Sign a petition.
Be a consumer
- Support well-known black businesses.
- Donate to known #BLM movements.
Learn more
- Share books by Maya Angelou, Audre Lorde, Toni Morrison and so on.
- Share content from the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society – its community is active.
Engage with others
- Sign and share petitions.
- Send emails to MPs and influential figures.
- Share the outline of an email to MPs to prioritise topics around black discrimination.
- Retweet, share, and comment positively on posts and stories that resonate with you.
Beginning again
For me this process has been like beginning again. I have moved away from some old assumptions and reviewed news stories with new eyes.
I’m not perfect; I may not always say the right things, but I’m prepared to learn. I don’t want to live in a world where your skin colour dictates how likely you are to live or die. But I am part of that world, and am prepared to try and do what I can – and that journey starts now.
Will you join me?
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