How To Be A White Ally To The Black Community

Breonna Taylor. Jacob Black. Trayvon Martin. Jacob Black. Elijah Mcclain. Oscar Grant. Ahmaud Arbery. Michael Dean. Muhammad Muhaymin. George Floyd. Samuel Dubose. Atatiana Jefferson. William Chapman. Tarika Wilson. Anthony Hill. Rekia Boyd. Kathryn Johnston. Jemel Roberson. Tamir Rice. Philando Castile. Rayshard Brooks. DJ Henry. Eric Lurry.

We have heard our social media scream the words “I can’t breathe”.

But what we, as white people, fail to realise is that the knee that was on: George Floyd’s, Elijah McClain’s, Oscar Grant’s and countless other black men and women’s back. That knee has been on their backs for three hundred years. Pressing, restricting their breathing for YEARS.

This cry for help, the gasping for breath has been ringing for years at a time. A different name, a different story, but all with the same cause of death repeatedly.

In ten years' time, when your children, friends, neighbours, work colleagues ask “what did you do to help?”, when the history books are printed, when you turn the page and find it coated in discrimination and the blood of these innocent black men and women: are you just going to lie? Pretend you did the right thing, while you recall rolling your eyes at another Black Lives Matter petition. When you sat at home while a protest marched in your town. While you watched harassment and injustice play out in front of your eyes.

Jane Elliot the incredible third grade teacher in America, also founder of the remarkable ‘Blue eyes/Brown eyes exercise’ in educating racism/discrimination, once said “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is good men to do nothing”. I encourage everyone to watch this exercise re-performed on the Oprah Winfrey show in 1992.

Also, this spoken word poetry by R.J. Wright + Xach Blunt - "I'm So Black". Highly encourage everyone to watch.

Your silence doesn’t do anything. You averting your eyes doesn’t help any cause, not even your own.

We don’t need remorse; we do not need guilt. We need action.

Does this make you uncomfortable? Does this topic make you squirm? Is it painful to read? Good. It should. If it is painful to hear and read, then I suggest you do something. If it is hard to hear, imagine experiencing it. Everyday. Educate yourselves. Accept the existence of white privilege. Sign petitions. Attend protests. Donate. Support. Fight for a change.

This isn’t just about equality. Its equity we need! We cannot have equality without equity. As an example, if the whole of human existence is about trying to climb a mountain. You cannot have person A start at the bottom of the mountain unable to buy shoes or climbing equipment and weights on their feet, then have person B born two thirds way up the mountain with shoes and equipment provided, weight free. If you then tried to give person A shoes and climbing equipment, we still have the issue that person B is two thirds up the mountain. So, for a chance of success, person A needs to start two thirds up the mountain also. That’s equity. Equality is treating everyone the same which is important, but that cannot happen without equity. Which includes allowing everyone to be on the same level.

Source: @blcksmth: (quote by @laurenmorrill , found through @shanaleehampton, mural by #ABNR

Now here is a quick guide on how to be a good white ally to the black and POC community:

Recognize your privilege as a white person.

Yes, white privilege exists, and every white person has it. Before you argue or whine, I will ask some simple questions. Has a group of people ever crossed the street to avoid walking near you, because of the colour of your skin? Were you ever refused into a school district or school, because of your skin colour? Did you ever find trouble finding a person that represents you on TV? Did you ever get called racial slurs? Are there even racial slurs for white people? Does your history include people who look like you being put into a zoo due to your skin colour? Have you ever been shot at by the police, for wearing a hooded jumper? For going to the supermarket? For jogging? Having white privilege doesn’t mean your life isn’t without struggle, it's just skin colour has and never will be one. Accept it.

Educate yourselves and others.

Now using your reasserted white privilege, it's time to utilise it. Use your social media to share petitions, to share stories of injustice in the black community, make your followers and friends (whether big or small following) aware of what’s going on in the world. Get people angry about the injustice, racism, and discrimination because we should be angry about this violation of human rights. Watch documentaries and films that star and educate you on black history, because god knows our education system isn’t telling us their history. Make yourself aware of BIPOC history, a simple google search will be a step closer to understanding and empathising. It is your responsibility to educate yourself.

Talk about and discuss these issues with your friends and family and call them out if necessary.

Talking to your friends and family is a start in helping fight prejudice and discrimination. Word of mouth is a very effective way of spreading information if we spread facts and figures about racism/discrimination and its history, like we spread gossip. Imagine the change. This discussion doesn’t need to be heated; it can be a calm discussion of facts you have learnt. I have learnt there are two types of ignorance, one type involves someone knowing and understanding the facts and mistreatment, and ignoring it, or being ignorant of them. The second is someone who is uneducated about the matter and therefore doesn’t understand – these are the people we can help. Education of racism and discrimination can help combat it in today’s society. If necessary, call out your friends and family for their racism and prejudice and educate them on why it's inappropriate.

For example, this is a genuine discussion I had with a guy at a party:

**White male singing along to Kanye West and Jamie Foxx Golddiggers, leading him to say the N word several times. **

Me: Hey, what colour is your skin?

Him looking confused: ummmm white.

Me: Yeah, exactly don’t say the N word then, dickhead.

Him: Nah I’m not racist, it’s just a song, I should get to say it. Me: Yes, but that word said by a white person acts as a reflection of the existing power the word carries. When a black person says it, they are taking back a word white people created it order to humiliate and degrade them against their skin colour in a time of slavery. Them saying it takes away that power and they reclaim it. So, no you don’t get to fucking say it.

He didn’t talk to me for the rest of the night, but he didn’t say it.

Sign Petitions!

They don’t cost money; they just need your support. Show the world and specifically the black community we are just as outraged by these deaths and mistreatment. We need to practise our allyship! You cannot steal and consume black culture and then refuse to support them. It takes less than five minutes; just show you care.

Follow this link to a bunch of different ways you can help internationally.

Lastly, support your small black owned businesses. Here are some examples:

Fashion

“Women’s collection designed by @feism for the leading woman” https://www.instagram.com/fenoel/
“🕊Sexy, luxe, minimalistic swimwear that cannot be found anywhere else online!Seen in @forbes @vogue @elleusa @harpersbazaarus @cosmopolitan + more”https://www.instagram.com/riotswim/
“Contemplative brass jewellery to inspire intentional living” https://www.instagram.com/mahnal/
“Folkways, Black Experience, Timeless Garments.Mother Daughter Design Duo@shabakaaa @rebeccalouise1967
100% Produced in Los Angeles, California”https://www.instagram.com/houseofaama/

Health and wellness

Adjourn Teahouse

IG: @adjournteahouse

The Honey Pot Co.

IG: @thehoneypotco

BLK+GRN

IG: @blkandgrn

Yasmine Cheyenne

IG: @yasminecheyenne

Skincare

KLUR

IG: @klur.co

Naked Flamingo

IG: @nakedfamingoskin

Beneath Your Mask

IG: @beneathyourmask

dehiya beauty (de•hē•yuh)

IG: @dehiyabeauty

Now where will you stand? Those who stood and fought alongside the oppressed, for their basic human rights? Or ignore the suffering as they felt ‘it wasn’t their place’ to raise their voice.

Black. Lives. Matter

Make your decision and be quick. People are dying.

Which side of history are you going to stand on?