You may be feeling as I have been feeling, a little helpless and unsure of how to help. I have spent the last few days listening and educating myself on how to be involved in standing up for what’s right and supporting the Black community not only in this dire time, but moving forward into the rest of our lives. This isn’t where the education stops, it’s merely a jumping point. No matter the nature of your business, as a human occupant of this planet, you are being called to fight against the injustices that our Black community faces every day. This is not a new issue, this is one that has been rooted in our society and institutions for hundreds of years. While it may feel more comfortable to be disconnected and sit back to let the real activists speak up in the protests, the truth is there is much that you can do on the front lines, with your wallet, and with your voice behind the scenes that can create real change that go beyond posting a black square on #blackouttuesday. You can be that activist in so many different ways, you just have to start with one action and KEEP GOING.
Here are a list of resources and actions you can take that will make a difference:
EMAIL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO ACT ON THESE DEATHS:
These emails are already written for you! I did not create these email templates, but I want to share them because you can stand up for 4 people in 1 minute. 4 people who no longer have a voice, you can help in ONE MINUTE. It takes 15 seconds to fill each template out with your name and State, so that the appropriate representative can hear from you about the unlawful deaths of each of these 4 individuals:
These emails are ready to send. Read, fill out, speak up!
15 seconds for Breonna Taylor – CLICK FOR EMAIL TEMPLATE
15 seconds for Tony McDade – CLICK FOR EMAIL TEMPLATE
15 seconds for Dion Johnson – CLICK FOR EMAIL TEMPLATE
15 seconds for Regis Korchinski-Paquet – CLICK FOR EMAIL TEMPLATE
PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO:
Specifically by Black creators:
Ealy Morning Tea – by Orlando resident Marcus Ealy
Orlando Uni-tea: Remembering Pulse – Ealy Morning Tea
Black& – by Johnathan Perkins and April Perkins
THEE Honorable JUSTICE Ketanji Brown Jackson – black&
Snap Judgment – by Glynn Washington
About Race and Diversity:
Pod Save the People by Crooked Media
Code Switch by NPR
ORLANDO BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES:
This list was compiled by 3 Orlando locals: @thetamiajxo @shantesworld @immarc__
ORGANIZATIONS TO KNOW AND DONATE TO:
Black Lives Matter – Building power to bring justice and freedom to Black people globally
8CantWait – Cities that enact these eight use-of-force policies can reduce police violence by 72%. Look up your city and contact your mayor now.
Campaign Zero – End Police Violence in America
Minnesota Freedom Fund – Provides bail relief to incarcerated protesters
NAACP – Aiding in the advancement of colored people fighting for equality
Reclaim the Block – violence prevention and affordable housing
Obviously a week’s time hasn’t been enough for me to read through and listen to all of the content in each of these resources, but these are what I am going to start with and wanted to share it as soon as I could. My promise is that I will take the time to do so in my lifetime and continue to show up for the Black community in every opportunity that I have and create. I can take time way from listening to my normal True Crime podcasts, and face the true crimes that are happening around us now. There is work that I can do and that you can do to make a difference. Do not feel disheartened, feel motivated.
Orlando Adventure Club 