How to Actively Be Part of the Change

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When it comes to fighting for justice for George Floyd, and each and every person who has lost their innocent and valuable life due to systemic racism and police brutality—energy is needed and great action must be taken.

VALLEY wants to provide its readers resources on how to actively take part in the Black Lives Matter movement and how to amplify black voices. VALLEY hopes that this will allow individuals to educate themselves and deliberately take action to fight for justice.

Resources to Text/Call/Email
  • Text “JUSTICE” to 668366
  • Text “FLOYD” to 55156
  • Text “ENOUGH” to 55156

Leave a message to the Minneapolis District Attorney and Mayor’s Office, demanding that each of the four officers is arrested for their acts of injustice by contacting the following:

  • Minneapolis Mayor’s Office, Jacob Frey (612) 673-2100
  • Minneapolis District Attorney, Mike Freeman (612) 348-5550
  • You can also contact officials in Minneapolis by email. This document provides contact information and helpful email templates to use.

Justice for Breonna Taylor has not yet been served. She was murdered by being shot eight times by police who raided the wrong house. Leave a message to the Louisville Mayor’s Office and demand for the officers to be charged by contacting the following:

  • Louisville Mayor, Greg Fisher (502) 574-2003
  • You can email the Louisville Police Department through this link and the Mayor’s Office here.
  • There are countless other officials to be contacted that can be found in this document.
Petitions to sign
  • Petitions take such a short amount of time to sign. Most of them just need your name, email, and zip code.
  • Once again, this document provides many petitions to sign that need your support.
Protesting

If you have the opportunity to protest, it is important to know your rights. This article provides a detailed explanation of the rights protestors have and common questions.

These graphics provide helpful information to keep in mind while protesting:

Photo posted by @aoc on Instagram
Photo posted by @marisolagosto on Instagram
Books & Resources to Read
  • How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
  • So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
  • Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
  • Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins
  • Black Looks: Racism and Representation by bell hooks
  • White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
  • The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
  • Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo Lodge
TV Shows & Films to Watch
  • “13th”
  • “If Beale Street Could Talk”
  • “The Hate U Give”
  • “Selma”
  • “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution”
  • “Dear White People”
  • “Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975”
  • “Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap”
Podcasts to Listen to
  • About Race
  • Seeing White
  • 1619
  • The Diversity Gap
  • Code Switch
Organizations to Donate to

If you are not able to donate, there are ways to help out.

  • Watch this video posted by Zoe Amira. It is an hour-long and it showcases art and music from black artists. There are ads scattered throughout and Amira states, “100% of the ad revenue this video makes through AdSense will be donated to the associations that offer protester bail funds, help pay for family funerals, and advocacy that are listed in the beginning of the video”. When you are watching the video, even if it is in the background, make sure not to skip the ads!
Organizations to Follow

These are just a few of the many organizations you can follow.

  • @blklivesmatter
  • @naacp
  • @reclaimtheblock
  • @colorofchange
  • @unitedwedream
  • @mpowerchange
  • @theconsciouskid
  • @thelovelandfoundation
  • @psublackcaucus
  • @naacp_psu
Photo posted by @worry__lines on Instagram
Support Black Artists, Creators, Businesses, Influencers, and More

A great way to show support to black creators is appreciating their work and spreading it across the world. Their talent deserves to be seen. Here are some showcased black creators who are creating incredible things:

Photos posted by @amandakorina on Instagram
Start Conversation

Change cannot happen without discussion. Talk to your family and friends about racial injustice. Acknowledge privilege. Talk to black friends, family, and colleagues on how to help out and be an ally.

Vote

If you have not done so yet, register to vote. You can do that here. Voting is one of the many ways to initiate change, so take full advantage of it and hit the polls.

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.

Desmond Tutu
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