Action Items:
This thought-provoking documentary explores and analyzes the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom. If you can host a virtual watch party and discussion afterwards. It is available to watch on Netflix and YouTube. You should also consider watching Just Mercy, When They See Us, The Kalief Browder Story and Fruitvale Station.
While sleeping, police officers invaded the home of Breonna Taylor and brutally murdered her with eight gun shots. The officers were looking for two individuals suspected of drug trafficking and went to the wrong address. To make matters worse the actual suspect had already been arrested earlier that day. She was innocent, yet she is dead while these officers remain free. Click here for action items on how to help get justice for Breonna.
Cities that enact the eight use-of-force policies below can reduce police violence by 72%. Here you will find the practices that your city has in place, an email script and the contact information for your mayor
Cities that enact the eight use-of-force policies below can reduce police violence by 72%. Here you will find the practices that your city has in place, a call script and the contact information for your mayor.
These articles by Fortune and The Atlantic explain what defund the police means and provides insights into cities that have already done it as well as how America’s policing policies compare to other Western countries.
Click here to access a database of over 300 Black museums and cultural institutions.
Read about unconscious bias here and take the Race Implicit Association Test to measure your unconscious bias.
OR
Take a mental scan of 5-10 times you’ve performed a racist act, or held a racist belief (could be incident(s) as far back as childhood; could be as seemingly innocuous or well intentioned as saying “you’re really pretty, for a black girl”). Write the episode(s) down and assess what made that action/thought happen. Make plans to prevent yourself or others from repeating the racist behavior or thought logic going forward
Here are some popular and impactful organizations to get to know: Color of Change, National Urban League, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the Equal Justice Initiative.
Here is an extensive list of places you can impact with donations. You will find policy reform organizations, police reform organizations, victim memorial funds, bail funds and much more.
Call an elderly family member or friend! If you don’t have one read or watch a YouTube video of a civil rights leader.
Imagine for just a moment that it was your sister, brother, son, daughter, mother or father who was killed by the police. How would you feel? Think about that and then write a letter of condolence to the family of the victim that you choose.
The 1619 Project is an ongoing project developed by The New York Times Magazine in 2019 with the goal of re-examining the legacy of slavery in the United States and timed for the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans in Virginia. You can explore the project here.
Relationships and exposure are important factors in combating unconscious bias and prejudices. Social media affords us the opportunity to get to know people that we typically might not come across in our everyday life.
If you are interested in travel, follow us @thatcouplewhotravels. We met on an airplane in 2015 and have been using our PTO to explore the world together since, well Pre-Covid anyway! Here are Black content creators in travel, creative, business and tech, mommy/family, and food.
This US Government site will direct you to the websites of your local governments. Your local government is responsible for police departments, schools, public safety and much more. So it’s important to know your local government officials and what they stand for.
This US Government site will direct you to local election websites. Your local government is responsible for police departments, schools, public safety and much more. So it’s important to vote for leaders who align with your values.
Call your friends or people who will be 18 soon and remind them to register to vote.
Here is an article and video about the impact of white silence. While it might be uncomfortable to engage a silent white friend this is necessary work. Simply reaching out often leads to productive and progressive conversations and changed hearts.
This is one of the most important things you can do! You can find an Anti-Racism Starter Kit and other resources here.
Much thanks to Jessica E. Johnson, Margaret Perkins, Christina Celuzza, Deronn Kidd, Elizabeth Sydnor, Kristin Nwobu, Christopher Heater, Stephanie Williams and Tony Lowery for their help choosing the action items!