Please do what is right and take 5 minutes out of your day to read this important post. Today I am shifting gears on my blog to address issues far more essential than the “20 best college essentials” or “the best graduation gifts out there.”
While I find those topics fun to write about, I need to take a moment to address something much more crucial. The goal of my blog has always been to help you live your best life in the most positive way.
However, I can’t do that without speaking out and trying to create change. I’ve always believed that positivity is crucial to living a happy life, however, being positive does not mean that we have to be blind, ignorant, and silent towards what is going on in the world.
The world is a scary and sad place right now, which we all need to recognize. We need to remember George Floyd and every other black life lost to police brutality, racial injustice, and white supremacy.
The insightful Michelle Obama once said, “every day, you have the power to choose our better history–by opening your hearts and minds, by speaking up for what you know is right.”
As an 18-year-old white girl, my privilege does not give me the perspective to understand what it is like to be black, and I am fully aware of that. However, that should not stop me or any other non-black individuals from opening our hearts and minds and speaking out for what we all know is right.
Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” This is the truth and silence is not the answer.
We can’t sit back while our black friends, neighbors, and community fight this battle for equality simply because it does not affect us in the same ways. In reality, if you’re a decent human being who wants to promote and see real change in our world, these issues DO AFFECT YOU.
In the past, I haven’t always known how to help, and I am sure others have felt or feel the same way. However, there are many ways to get involved and work towards creating real change.
I put together this list of how you can help, and I hope that you will take action. Everything you do, no matter how big or small, shows your real character and DOES make a difference in the world. Please remember that and take action!
1. Educate Yourself:
The best thing that you can do is educate yourself about injustice, police brutality, white supremacy, and so many other issues affecting people every second.
One of my favorite makeup artists, @kailinchase said this best on her Instagram, “speak to your black friends but understand that it is not their job or responsibility to educate you. Educate yourself.”
You can start by reading and sharing the articles below.
75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice
2. Sign Petitions:
Petitions take seconds to fill out and help to make a big difference. Here are three petitions that I signed and hope that you will sign and share as well.
Sign This Petition For Justice For George Floyd: This petition was made with the hope to reach the attention of Mayor Jacob Frey and DA Mike Freeman to have the officers involved in Floyd’s death fired and for charges to be filed immediately.
Click Here To Improve the Safety of Black Communities and Communities of Color- This petition is demanding that some money from the Minneapolis Police Department is invested into other needed resources that can help improve the safety of black communities and communities of color.
Sign The Color of Change Petition: Sign this petition to demand justice for George Floyd.
Please read all three of these petitions, sign, and share them with others!
3. Donate:
Donate anything you can to organizations working towards creating change and equality for all. Even a couple of dollars makes a difference!
I donated to Campaign Zero, and I hope that you will too. This organization uses research-based policy solutions to address and end police brutality across America.
The Minnesota Freedom Fund seeks to end discriminatory, coercive, and oppressive jailing by helping to pay the criminal bail and immigration bond for those who can’t afford to pay.
Supporting this essential organization will help others keep their jobs and housing while they wait for the outcome of their charges.
Visit this website to find many other organizations seeking donations for change.
Spread the word and send these links to other people!
4. Stand Up & Speak Out For What Is Right:
The worst thing that you can do right now is to be silent. Take action! Educate yourself, speak up even if it makes you feel uncomfortable, sign petitions, donate, call, email, and help to bring change.
I had a friend remind me that it is also essential to raise awareness by sharing things publicly because it shows solidarity. Share resources that you find with your friends and family. We are stronger together, and all need to work towards creating change.
However, raising awareness online is meaningless if you’re not taking action yourself (signing petitions, emailing, calling, and donating). Please don’t wait for a social media chain to take action!
In the coming weeks, all of the hashtags and posts on social media may become less prominent but that does not mean that this is over by any means!
Just because you may be able to log into your social media accounts without seeing a post reminding you to advocate for human rights/justice does not mean that you can forget about what is happening in the world.
Ignorance is not bliss if you want to see real change!
Please continue to educate yourself and work towards creating a world where everyone is equal.
Please save this image to pinterest/social media so that more people can read this post.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope that you will take action and work towards creating change. Share this post and these links with your friends, family, and followers.
You have a following no matter how big or small and have the ability to positively impact others!
Don’t forget Michelle Obama’s quote, “every day, you have the power to choose our better history–by opening your hearts and minds, by speaking up for what you know is right.”
Open your hearts, minds, and speak up for what you know is right! We all have the power to choose a better history but it’s impossible if we do nothing.
If you liked this post check out my post on how you can be more positive.
Don’t forget to please save this image on pinterest/social media so more people can read this post!
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