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HOW WHITE WOMEN CAN FIGHT RACISM RIGHT NOW

I have a beauty platform, which hardly qualifies me to be an expert on racism and social injustice. I’m not even sure if anyone wants to hear from me on this issue. But as someone with a platform, it’s my job to speak up and to share what I’ve learned and the resources I’ve gathered. There are so many of us who are struggling and heartbroken over what’s going on in America right now. And if we can come together to learn and educate ourselves, isn’t that a good thing?

I can’t possibly understand the discrimination Black people face each day. But, what I DO understand is that racism is NEVER acceptable. Treating someone as a lesser person is simply not OK. I know I’m not the only one who has been deeply affected by the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. But if the lack of empathy for others continues, I fear for our nation.

I’ve compiled various ways and resources for you so that you can take action: influencers and beauty brands to support, books and movies, ways to donate, and more – however you are able and choose to do so. I truly hope you find this blog post helpful.

HOW WHITE WOMEN CAN FIGHT RACISM RIGHT NOW

BEGINNER’S GUIDES TO ANTI-RACISM

QUIZ YOURSELF

  • Harvard Implicit Bias Test: It’s possible that we aren’t even aware of our own hidden biases. This test measures attitudes and shows us how our unconscious drives our day to day decision making. It can help people from all backgrounds recognize unconscious biases that can unknowingly distort our objective treatment of others based upon race, religion, gender, weight, sexual orientation, etc.
  • United Nations Quiz: to test your knowledge of human rights and discrimination. 

READ UP

Here are a few great book lists for you to check out from The New York Times and Jane Mount’s comprehensive list on Instagram.

There are so many wonderful books if you want to educate yourself or your family. Here are just a few:

WATCH A VIDEO

These have been highly recommended by many and are worth the watch if you’re interested in further educating yourself:

SUPPORT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES

Since this is a beauty blog, here’s a large, comprehensive list of some fantastic Black-owned beauty brands to check out. Please let me know in the comments of any that I missed!

FOLLOW

Here are some Black YouTubers & Instagram accounts to follow. Most are beauty related, though some are not:

AMPLIFY

You can use your social media platforms to support Black women, men, and their businesses. You can educate, share resources, and information. Everyone’s voice matters. This is how change happens. Don’t be afraid of saying the wrong thing. We’re all learning and we’re all in this together!

SIGN A PETITION

  • NAACP “We Are Done Dying” Campaign: A campaign to expose the inequities embedded into the American healthcare system. There are several petitions including; George Floyd, healthcare, economic, criminal justice, and voting.
  • Justice for George Floyd: The goal is to get 3.5 million signatures. When you sign, the platform will automatically send your message to County Attorney Michael Freeman, who has the power to arrest and charge all police officers involved.

DONATE

There are many funds to which you can donate:

  • Lake Street Council: After receiving an outpouring of donations, the Minnesota Freedom Fund is redirecting donations here. They will be using the money to rebuild the businesses and storefronts lost during the protests in Minneapolis.
  • The Loveland Foundation: Aims to give opportunity, therapy, and healing to communities of color, especially to Black women and girls.
  • Black Lives Matter: A movement that “builds power to bring justice, healing, and freedom to Black people across the globe.”
  • ACLU: The ACLU Racial Justice Program works to “preserve and extend constitutionally guaranteed rights to people who have historically been denied their rights on the basis of race.”
  • Peoples Food Program: BLM of Greater New York established this GoFundMe to feed those who are quarantined and vulnerable in the Bronx. They provide wellness checks, food and grocery/medication deliveries to elders and those who can’t come outside. 
  • BEAM: Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective is “a collective of advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists, and activists committed to the emotional/mental health and healing of Black communities.” 
  • NAACP: The mission of the NAACP is to “secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.”
  • Equal Justice Initiative: “Committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the U.S., challenging racial and economic injustice, and protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.” 
  • The George Floyd Memorial Fund: Set up to cover funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging during court proceedings, and to help support his family and their fight for justice.
  • Color of Change: They design campaigns to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back and champion solutions that move them forward. 
  • I Run With Maud: A fund supporting Ahmaud Arbery’s family in their struggle for justice for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.
  • The Innocence Project: Their mission is to “free the staggering number of innocent people who remain incarcerated, and to bring reform to the system responsible for their unjust imprisonment.”

SPREAD KINDNESS

This is a tough time right now. This resonated with me: “If you’re pro-Black Lives Matter, you’re assumed to be anti-police, and if you’re pro-police, then you surely hate Black people. It seems that it’s either pro-cop and anti-Black or pro-Black and anti-cop. When in reality, you can be pro-cop and pro-Black, which is what we should all be,” – Trevor Noah. We should all be working together to understand and to restore peace. Be kind to everyone around you. And work to understand through empathy.

I hope this post and the beauty brand list is helpful. Please let me know if there’s anything I missed or if you’ve discovered something you think is impactful and worth sharing.

Thank you all so very much for your love and support. I’m so blessed to have such an amazing community. I love you all!

FTC: This post is not sponsored. As always, ALL opinions are my own and are 100% honest! 

All Rights Reserved © 2020, Stephanie Marie, LLC

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1 Comment

  1. Geri
    June 21, 2020 / 11:19 am

    Thank you for this.

    Reply

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