I suspect we have all seen videos or read articles from the recent heartbreaking news of George Floyd. I am sure this all left you in shock, disgust and confusion.
It’s 2020 and racism still exists.
We implore you to use your voice at this time. Don’t be a bystander to this.
It’s important to understand the layers and depth of racism to identify, address and tackle it.
The Four Dimensions of Racism
Institutional Racism:
Policies and practices that reinforce racist standards within a workspace or organisation.
Structural Racism:
Multiple institutions collectively upholding racist policies and practices, ie. society.
Interpersonal Racism:
Racist acts and micro-aggressions carried out from one person to another.
Internalised Racism:
The subtle and overt messages that reinforce negative beliefs and self-hatred in individuals.
Understanding what optical allyship is;
“Allyship that only serves at the surface level to perform the ‘ally’, it makes a statement but does not go beneath the surface and is not aimed at breaking away from the systems of power that oppress.” – Latham Thomas
Ravens Ait have created a list in which you can exercise your voice and knowledge on the matter;
Re-educate yourself; through TV, Film, News, Podcasts, Activist videos, etc. Here is a few suggestions;
- Film- The Hate U Give, 2018
- Book- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- Podcast- About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge
- Documentary Film- 13TH, 2016
- Book- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Book- **NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER** How To Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- Podcast- Brené with Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist
https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-ibram-x-kendi-on-how-to-be-an-antiracist/
Sign Petitions;
- Justice for George Floyd https://www.change.org/p/minneapolis-police-department-justice-for-george-floyd
- Justice for Breonna Taylor https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor
- Sign the public open letter against racism and police brutality https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/george_floyd_loc/?slideshow
- Julius Jones is innocent. Don’t let him be executed by the state of Oklahoma. https://www.change.org/p/julius-jones-is-innocent-don-t-let-him-be-executed-by-the-state-of-oklahoma
- Justice for Belly Mujinga. https://www.change.org/p/govia-thameslink-justice-for-belly-mujinga
- Justice for Delsie Gayle, the elderly lady racially abused on Ryanair flight. https://www.change.org/p/theresa-may-mp-justice-for-delsie-gayle-the-elderly-lady-racially-abused-on-ryanair-flight
- Stop the UK government from sending rubber bullets, tear gas and riot shields to the US. https://www.change.org/p/boris-johnson-stop-the-uk-government-from-sending-rubber-bullets-tear-gas-and-riot-shields-to-the-us
There are so many ways to use your voice, signing a petition or several is one of many ways you are actively involved in being an ally.
Donate:
- Official George Floyd Memorial Fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
- HELP POWER THE MOVEMENT https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/support-us?refcode=coc_website_popup
- Black Visions Collective https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/
- NAACP Legal Defence and Educational Fund https://www.naacpldf.org/
- Racial Justice Network https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/racial-justice-network
Email-
- Send an email to your local MP https://www.writetothem.com/
If there are areas we have missed, we welcome a response and engagement, let us know.
Use your voice and stay safe | Ravens Ait | Sales team – Sasha Glasscock
Resources;
