Black Lives Matter Committee Action Items and Resources
In light of racial injustices that have resurfaced in the media and have propelled the Black Lives Matter movement and protests across the country forward, we believe it is necessary to act in any way that we can. Us students have compiled a list of resources and ways that members of the Saint Mary’s community, specifically non-Black folks, can use our privilege to get involved and be active in whatever capacity is accessible to us. This is by no means a complete list or a solution to the problem, and we hope that students, staff, and faculty take actions to address current situations, as well as engage in a long term commitment to social justice and anti-racism.
DONATE:
If you have the means to do so, please consider donating to a community bail fund to release protesters from prison or fundraisers for those affected by police violence. If you are not able to donate, you can help out by sharing these sources on social media and with your own networks. Any amount helps, but if you are able to, please be generous.
Nationwide Bail Fund
Chicago Community Bond Fund
Brooklyn Community Bail Fund
Montgomery Bail Out
Louisville Community Bail Fund
Support Protesters in Salt Lake City
Rebuilding Oakland Black Businesses
Justice for Breonna Taylor (GoFundMe)
Fund for Gianna Floyd (George Floyd’s daughter)
Gas Mask Fund
DONATE WITHOUT MONEY:
Due to COVID-19 and many people without work or with less paid hours, money may be a concern and some may not be able to support financially. If people would like to get involved in supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, but do not have the financial means to donate money, we still encourage people to sign petitions, share resources on social media, or read free educational materials.
SUPPORT:
These organizations are committed to the protection of Black lives. Many of their websites have petitions, links to donate, and information to share with others.
Black Lives Matter
Black Visions Collective
Reclaim the Block
The Movement for Black Lives
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
The Bail Project
The 4Front Project
People’s Breakfast
Anti-Police Terror Project
Tenants together
Just Cause/Causa Justa
Black Organizing Project
East Oakland Collective
Raised Roots venmo: @ jamil-burns
The Black Bay Area
SIGN PETITIONS:
Petitions are an easy and accessible way to demand justice. While we encourage people to sign petitions and donate to organizations directly involved in the Black Lives Matter movement, we discourage anyone from donating to change.org. Change.org is a for-profit organization and makes money off of donations. When change.org asks you to donate after signing a petition, that money does NOT go to funding that campaign. Read more information about change.org from a former employee in this post, or this article.
Justice for George Floyd
Justice for Breonna Taylor
Justice for Ahmaud Arbery-Disbarment of George E. Barnhill
Justice for Ahmaud Arbery-Pass Georgia Hate Crime Bill
Justice for Miles Hall
Defund Minneapolis Police Department
Hands Up Act
Abolish Prison Labor in the USA
Mandatory Life Sentence for Police Brutality
More Petitions
Federally Require IAT and Psychological Screening for Police Officer Employment
TEXT, CALL, OR EMAIL:
Text "JUSTICE" to 668366
Text "FLOYD" to 55156
Text "ENOUGH" to 55156
Text “DEMANDS” to 55156
Text “Defend” to 90975 for Updates
Text “YWBDTO” to 50409
Call or email your local mayor or police department. Some questions you can ask and information you can demand:
What is being done to prevent police brutality? Are officers trained to de-escalate altercations using peaceful strategies?
Are officers forbidden from using chokeholds, strangleholds, etc.?
Are officers vetted to ensure they do not have a history of racism, abuse, or discrimination?
8 Can’t Wait: Check which policies your city has enacted to decrease police violence. Contact your mayor or sheriff to let them know which policies need to decrease the risk of police violence in your city.
Defund12: Email government officials demanding that they reallocate police budgets to social services, education, and dismantling racial inequality.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY:
Therapy for Black Girls
Healhaus
Sista Afya
Inclusive Therapists
Dive in Well
The Nap Ministry
The Siwe Project
Dr. Jennifer Mullan
Black Female Therapists: Application for Free Therapy Service
The Love Land Foundation
Twitter thread of mental health resources
EDUCATE:
The media we consume shapes our culture and beliefs, and oftentimes education leaves out stories, narratives, and histories from the Black community. One step we can all take to unlearning racism and anti-blackness that we have internalized from culture and media is to educate ourselves about history and race, and consume more media created by Black authors. Below are some suggestions and resources of material to begin educating yourself, or refer to others in order to educate our friends, families, and communities.
BOOKS:
Black Revolutionary Texts Google Drive with Full Texts
List of books to read
The End of Policing by Alex S. Vitale free eBook
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Divided Sisters by Midge Wilson and Kathy Russell
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
They Can’t Kill Us All by Wesley Lowery
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Still I Rise by Maya Angelou (Poem)
Fatal Invention by Dorothy Roberts
Locking Up Our Own by James Forman
The Miner’s Canary by Lani Guiner and Gerald Torres
The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon
Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes and Black Women in America by Melissa Harris-Perry
“White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Peggy McIntosh
RACE-The Power of an Illusion
SMC Library Resources
Obama Foundation (many great resources on website)
How To Support The Struggle Against Police Brutality
FILMS AND SHOWS:
13th directed by Ava DuVernay
American Son (Netflix)
Dear White People (Netflix)
If Beale St Could Talk (Hulu)
King in the Wilderness (HBO)
See You Yesterday (Netflix)
The Hate You Give (Cinemax)
When They See Us (Netflix)
I Am Not Your Negro (A James Baldwin Documentary)
The Protests in Minneapolis, Louisville, and Washington DC by Vice (on Youtube)
New York Protesters Won’t Be Silenced By Curfew by Vice (on Youtube)
8 BLACK Ivy League Students Explain WHY BLACK LIVES MATTER! by Domonique Cynthia
Why black people are angry and tired. by Vee Kativhu
10 books you MUST read to learn about racism || black lives matter. by Vee Kativhu
PODCASTS:
hey, girl.
Therapy for Black Girls
1619
About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
Intersectionality Matters by Kimberle Crenshaw
Pod For The Cause from the Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights
Hellablackpod.com
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS:
Social media can be a helpful tool to organize and educate people, especially if you are not able to protest in the streets. Following educational social media accounts is useful to educate yourself and your followers, and share resources. While having a social media feed full of information and resources related to the anti-racist movement can be draining and it is important to maintain your mental health, we encourage people with non-Black privilege to lean into their discomfort and use their platform to amplify Black voices and stand up to racism. Please be mindful of what you post and share, and refrain from posting images of police brutality or of the deaths of Black people-not only is this disrespectful to the lives that are lost, but this can also be triggering for Black people who are experiencing loss and racial trauma. In addition, refrain from posting or sharing images of protests with people’s faces or any other identifiable features. Keep in mind that nobody is perfect and we may make mistakes when sharing on social media, but it is better to learn and grow from our mistakes than to remain silent.
Instagram:
@alex_elle
@blackandembodied
@blavity
@blackvisionscollective
@smc.bsu
@blklivesmatter
@itooread
@forthegworls
@btfacollective
@mpjinstitute
@ethelsclub
@raquel_willis
@colorofchange
@theconsciouskid
@blkgirlblog
@shishi.rose
@wellreadblackgirl
@endthesilence.smc
@antipoliceterrorproject
@decolonize__
@thebodyisnotanapology
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/zettercakes/status/1267497517299589121
@BlackVisionsMN
@smcbsu_
@queersocialism
@RaquelWillis_
@theferocity
@Danez_Smif
@NifMuhammad
@strongblacklead
Facebook:
@LitBLVC
SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES:
Black owned restaurants in the Bay Area
Black owned vegan businesses
On Instagram:
@purhomeclean (Safe cleaners and detergent)
@voodooveganfood (Plant based creole and cajun food in Los Angeles)
@cypresssoleilnaturals (Botanical Apothecary)
@veltreevegan (Soulful Vegan Cuisine in North Carolina)
@thezensucculent (Plant/gift shop in North Carolina)
@thehootallnatural (All Natural Purpose Cleaner)
@plantvessel (Home and Garden, Pottery and Plants)
@UrbanSerenite (Clean Beauty and Wellness Apothecary)
@nattygarden (Brooklyn based garden store)
@offerings.co (Flower decor based in LA)
@nun_jewelry (jewelry)
@nakedclayceramics (Minimal style ceramic tableware)
@greyremedyco (Handcrafted ceramics)
@honeydippedessentials (Beauty, Cosmetics, and Personal Care)
@wildfang_home (Home decor)
@aliyawanek (fashion)
@thegracemade (fashion)
@unoeth (fashion)
@cocoacentric (fashion)
@zandrabeauty (vegan/plant based products for the body/face)
@blkandgrn (non-toxic marketplace)
@bladeandbloom (100% natural skincare and wellness for all skins)
@twodaysoffclothing (fashion)
@galeriela (fashion)
@gethyperskin (beauty)
@hanahana_beauty (beauty)
@golde (beauty)
@actualfootageofme (art)
@adeledesigns (art)
@monicahanonu (art)
BLACK OWNED BOOKSHOPS:
Brave and Kind Books (GA)
Semicolon (Chicago, IL)
Lrain Lair Books (South Bend, IN)
Afriware Books (Maywood, IL)
Detroit Book City (Detroit, MI)
Mahogany Books (Washington, DC)
Uncle Bobbie’s (Philadelphia, PE)
Hakim’s Bookstore (Philadelphia, PE)
Harriott’s Bookshop (Philadelphia, PE)
Ashay By the Bay (Vallejo, CA)
Eso Won Books (Los Angeles, CA)
The Lit Bar (Bronx, NY)
Cafe con Libros (Brooklyn, NY)
Frugal Bookstore (Roxbury, MA)
HOW TO NAVIGATE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS:
It is necessary for non-Black people to use our privilege to speak up for the Black community, which can be met with resistance and is not always easy. The following are vignettes with suggestions of how to navigate difficult conversations with friends, family members, or on social media that may arise this time, and how to take the opportunity to call people in, meet them where they are at, and educate them.
If someone says, “Looting and property damage are not excusable”...
We suggest responding with, “While I understand that it is unfortunate that some small businesses have been affected and there are some people who take advantage of protests with other motives, this does not define the Black Lives Matter movement. The purpose of protests is to denounce the killings and loss of Black lives, and this should be our focus. Much of the looting and property destruction taking place does not always come from members of the Black community, and many Black community organizers have called for peaceful protests. Still, it is not our place to regulate/comment/judge how the Black community should mourn their loss or express their pain and frustration. Material goods can be replaced, but Black lives can not. By focusing on the loss of material goods rather than the loss of Black lives, we are reinforcing the idea that Black lives do not matter.”
If someone says, “Not all cops are bad”....
We suggest responding with, “I understand that there are individual police officers who are good people and are not blatantly racist. However, when we talk about police violence it refers to a systemic issue that requires structural change rather than an individual one. Black people are more likely to be arrested for drug violations, but drug use does not differ significantly between race and ethnicity. In addition, Black drivers are more likely to be stopped by police, and far more likely to be searched and arrested than white drivers. This is not because Black people are more likely to commit crimes, but because of racial profiling that is based on racist stereotypes that Black people are inherently more dangerous because of their skin. While not all individual cops are bad people, they are all part of a police force that employs racial profiling that leads to higher rates of arrests, inprisonment, and killings of the Black community.”
History of police departments in the USA!
The police hasn’t always been a part of society as we know it. Going all the way back to the 17th century that empowered all white people to catch slaves. But I think it's too simple to say that policing only evolved from slave patrols. Police really evolved around a lot - what I would call labor control. And so in the South, that was controlling slaves. But in the North, that actually had to do with controlling any inconvenient population, especially labor. And so the institution of policing is very much connected to the enactment of violence against strikers and union-breaking.
If someone says, “All Lives Matter”...
We suggest responding with, “The Black community has been affected by racism and police brutality far more than any other community in the United States. Police have brutalized and killed Black people without any justification and without any consequences. The violence inflicted upon the Black community and lack of accountability and justice has demonstrated that Black lives do not matter within the criminal justice system, which is why we are emphasizing that Black lives do matter. This is not to say that any other lives do not matter and does not take away from other marginalized groups, but simply saying that the lives of Black people matter and are valuable just as much as anyone else’s.”
If someone says, “more white people are killed by cops than black people”
There are over 6X more white people in America than black people which means the numbers might be numerically more significant but black people are actually killed at a four times higher rate. Also, white people are significantly more likely to commit violent crimes as compared to black people who mostly go to prison for non-violent offences. Since 1982, 54% of mass shootings have been committed by Non-Hispanic white men.
If someone says, “what about black on black crime”
People don’t kill each other because they are the same race and almost all murders stay within their race while committing crimes. So this means most white people, barring racially motivated crime, are more likely to attack other white people. Have you heard anyone say white on white crime?
If someone says, “blue lives matter”
You can stop being a cop but you cannot stop being a black person. Getting hurt on the job is an occupational hazard but being killed simply because you’re black should not be an existential hazard. Also, about 38 police officers were killed in line of duty in the entire year of 2019 which followed no recognizable pattern of violence.
If someone says, “I’m tired of looking on social media. I wish things would go back to normal”....
We suggest responding with, “While it is normal to want things to go back to normal during a time of violence and unrest, keep in mind that what was ‘normal’ was a society that was satisfied with ignoring racial injustices and systemic oppression. Having to educate yourself about racism and view posts on social media instead of experiencing racism firsthand is a great privilege that the Black community does not have. Black people in America never had the privilege of things being ‘normal’ and ignoring racism because they are confronted by it in their daily lives. While it is always important to maintain your mental health, your discomfort is not as severe as experiencing police brutality, and we must prioritize the mental health of Black people who are mourning a loss and experiencing trauma right now.”
If someone says, “George Floyd committed felonies. He shouldn’t be celebrated as a hero”...
We suggest responding with, “The police were not called on George Floyd for his past felonies, but rather a counterfeit $20 bill. Floyd’s past does not justify being stripped of his human right to dignity and respect. It does not justify a police officer choking him to death, especially if his death had nothing to do with this past. Even murderers have the right to a fair trial and are innocent until proven guilty. The outrage and protests are in response to something bigger than George Floyd as an individual. The protests do not demand justice for a particular model citizen, but rather for the countless Black lives that have been lost at the hands of police. George Floyd’s death underscores the issues of systemic racism and police brutality, while his name and image is now tied to the work of those fighting for a more equitable and just world for Black people.”
Twitter thread that provides helpful frameworks to have conversations around race/privilege with family/friends from various standpoints:
UNLEARN AND REFLECT:
Begin to reflect and unpack your internalized biases and anti-blackness perpetuated by culture and challenge racist stereotypes and assumptions in your own homes and communities. Some questions you can ask yourself and of others:
What are some messages I have been told about Black people? How do they portray Black people?
Are Black people represented in the shows and movies I watch, books I read, news stories I consume, etc.? How are they represented?
Did my education include history about Black people and civil rights movements? Was I required to read books written by Black authors or including Black characters? How were Black people portrayed?
Are Black people represented at my workplace, school, and other communities I am a part of? What positions do they hold?
What aspects of the culture I consume are part of or taken from Black culture? Which fashion and music trends exploit Black culture?
What are my perceptions of beauty standards? Do they exclude Afrocentric features, or do they exoticize them? Why?
How can I surround myself with more positive representations of Black people? How can I use my privilege to support and uplift Black voices?
RESOURCES FOR PROTESTORS:
If you have the ability to participate in protests, please keep the following safety measures and maintain social distancing to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Do not share any photos or videos on social media of protestors’ faces or of any identifiable features, as police may use this to charge them. Research protests before attending and be aware of who is organizing protests, as some protests are not being organized by Black leaders, can be fake protests created by white supremacist groups to incite violence, or may be police traps.
Phone Numbers To Call For Unlawful Arrests In Protesting Areas:
310-313-3700 - LA
210- 227-1515 - SATX
804-291-8520 - Richmond VA
783-346-6322 - NY
612-444-2654 - Minneapolis
404-689-1519 - ATL
484-758-0388 - Philadelphia
502-705-0081 - Louisville
919-769-2087 - Raleigh NC
210-858-7997 - San Antonio
Post with Pro-Bono Lawyers
Tips for Riot Control Agents, or Teargas
First Aid Tips
How to Sign to Deaf People or People Hard of Hearing at Protests
What to Wear:
Face Masks
Can be used to protect from COVID-19 as well as maintain anonymity. Bring a spare in case you are sprayed with pepper spray or teargas and need to change.
Comfortable Shoes
Eye Protection
Wear eye protection that does not shatter, such as ski goggles, swim goggles, or sunglasses. These will protect you from any harmful substances such as pepper spray or teargas, and will conceal your identity.
Tools to Bring:
Water
Rubber or Nitrile
Gloves
Bandana
Extra Mask
Hat or helmet
Duct tape
Is sterile and can be used for multiple purposes, such as fixing a shoe or immobilizing a broken bone
Gauze
To stop bleeding/absorb liquid
Cold Packs
Burn dressings
Menstrual pads
To stop bleeding/absorb liquids
Candy
For blood sugar
Bandaids
Garbage Bags
To store extra clothes or store clothes that have come into contact with pepper spray or teargas
Extra Clothing
In case of being sprayed with pepper spray or teargas, or needing to change your appearance if you are identified
Sharpies
Snacks
Medications
Such as inhalers, EpiPens, etc.
First-Aid Recipes:
Liquid Antacid + Water
1:1 liquid magnesia to water. Can be used to saturate a bandana and held to eyes to treat exposure to teargas and pepper spray.
Dish Soap + Water
1:3 parts soap to water. Can be used to treat exposure to pepper spray by applying to the affected area for 15 seconds, gently rubbing a soaked cloth to remove, and repeating.
Milk
Fill a spray bottle with milk to alleviate the sting of pepper spray
Tear gas:
Tear gas is a fine dust that will settle on your hair, skin, and eyes, and reacts with moisture to cause a burning sensation. The effects of tear gas may persist for hours after exposure. If you are exposed to tear gas leave the area immediately, cover your eyes and nose, and try not to breathe until you are far away. Skin and clothing exposed to tear gas should be washed thoroughly with soap and cold water.
Minor cuts:
Clean cuts as thoroughly as possible and apply direct pressure to the wound for 5-10 minutes
Broken Limbs:
If a limb is broken or fractured, call for medical help immediately. If medical help is not available, make a splint by placing a firm backing behind the limb and wrapping it with a bandage or cloth. Move the person to safety and get medical help.
If a Person is Unconscious:
Do not attempt to move them. Seek professional medical help immediately.
Digital Protection:
Disable Face ID or Touch ID fingerprint unlock
Use a 6+ digit passcode or alphanumeric code
Do not consent to searches of your devices
Do not unlock your phone for police
Turn off GPS, NFC, Bluetooth, and any location services
Additional Tips:
If you get arrested, DON’T SPEAK. Only state that you have the right to remain silent, and the right to an attorney. Remember, “Anything you say CAN and WILL be used against you.”
Leave all identifying information, such as Driver’s License, Credit and Debit cards, etc. at home. Bring cash instead.
Write important phone numbers on parts of your body that can be covered in permanent ink. Carry a few loose bills with you to make a phone call in the case of an arrest.
How to minimize COVID-19 Transmission During Protests:
Things to pack before the protest:
Hand sanitizer
Extra masks
Snack and water bottle
Disposable bags to store used masks and other potentially-contaminated items
If you are able to do so prepare a bleach solution to disinfect surfaces you touch when you return home
During the protest:
Wear mask and/or face shield and eye protection
Physical distance (6+ feet) when possible
Do not touch your face
Frequently apply hand sanitizer
Do not shake hands or hug
Drink water to stay hydrated
After the protest
Wash your hands
Remove clothes and wash them immediately (or ASAP)
Self-quarantine for 2 weeks (if possible)
Get COVID-19 testing 5-7 days after protest (if available)