A Guide to Responsible White and NBPOC Allyship
By: REFINE Senior Staff
“I can’t breathe.”
George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed by a police officer who restrained him by kneeling on his neck. His death sparked large protests and riots in Minneapolis, New York City, and Atlanta. A corresponding protest was held in Philadelphia on May 30 at City Hall.
When confronted with footage of police brutality and riots, it’s easy to just retweet a few posts in support of the cause and call it a night. But for Black people, the violence never shuts off. Now is the time to play an active role in dismantling oppressive systems and abandon fleeting and empty affirmation.
So, as a white person or non-Black person of color, how can you support the Black Lives Matter movement while being a responsible ally? Here’s a list to get you started.
Sign this petition—It was started by a 15-year-old from Oregon to demand justice for George Floyd by holding all officers involved accountable. And, it’s now the most signed petition in history. That’s a BIG deal.
Read anti-racism literature by BIPOC—We recommend “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi and “White Fragility: Why it’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Robin DiAngelo, Ph.D. Looking to add even more to your summer reading list? You can also access a more comprehensive list of anti-racism materials compiled by Sarah Sophia Flicker and Alyssa Klein.
Google is free—Don’t ask your Black peers to relive trauma just to educate you on experiences you have the privilege of never encountering. If you have a question, there are countless educational materials produced by Black creators who have been compensated for their emotional and intellectual labor.
Educate your family members—Hold people close to you accountable for their offensive and racist comments. Challenge the outdated ideas of your Boomer parents and ignorant grandparents. There can’t be growth without discomfort.
Avoid virtue-signaling—If your intention when reposting Black Lives Matter content is to relay your position as not being a racist, you’re not off the hook just yet. Well-intentioned, viral posts that attempt to convey sympathy without a call to action fall flat. Sympathy is not enough to dismantle systems of white supremacy, so try sharing anti-racism resources, BLM fundraisers, or appropriate GoFundMe accounts.
Donate to your local bail fund—Philadelphia Bail Fund is currently paying the bails and bonds of local protestors and rioters. After you donate, ask your white and NBPOC friends, family, and followers to match your contribution and start a donation train.
Don’t share footage of those who were killed by the police—While these videos are an important part of holding perpetrators accountable, the media has a bad habit of exploiting Black trauma. By sharing the footage, you may be subjecting your Black peers to reliving this trauma without their consent.
Don’t retweet or post images showing the faces of protestors— it may put them in danger of police surveillance.
This is not a comprehensive list. There is always more that can be done. When Black activists speak up and make demands, it is our job to listen and disseminate actionable resources for the cause.
Silence is violence.