We are currently living through an important historical moment. The Black Lives Matter movement has successfully joined together many marginalised communities to join the fight for equality, justice and freedom. We can’t be a bystander and must use our voices to demand change and push for a better future.
It’s important for everyone to join the fight. We can not claim to be a progressive society until we address the many inequalities faced by the Black community, both in the UK and across the globe. Here are 10 steps that you can take to ensure that you are actively supporting the revolution:
- Follow progressive voices and activists online. Look towards the leaders of the movement for knowledge and direction. For those that will never be a victim of racism, it’s time to listen. Some important UK based accounts to follow include; BLM UK, Black Cultural Archives, Fill In The Blanks and UK Black Pride.
- Honour the movers and activists that have paved the way. As well as famous activists such as Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin and Malcolm X, we also need to honour lesser-known activists, particularly those from the Black LGBTQ+ community such as Linda Bellos, Justin Fashanu, Marsha P. Johnson and June Jordan.
- Know your history. In Britain, we need to confront our colonial past in order to move forward from it and allow justice to take place. Recently when a statue of Colston was pushed into Bristol Harbor, it created a much-needed dialogue about how Britain needs to consider how to confront its racist history.
- Understand your privilege. The most important thing to remember about your privilege is that it doesn’t mean that your life is without difficulty, but that things such as your skin colour, gender identity and sexuality will not be one of the reasons that your life is difficult. By recognising your privilege, you can use this to ensure that public spaces aren’t just catered to you and are accessible for those that may not have the same privileges.
- Stay informed on important subjects and look for political parties that stand in support with these beliefs. As Irvine Welsh posted on Twitter in 2015; “When you’re not doing so well, vote for a better life for yourself. If you are doing quite nicely, vote for a better life for others”. When you vote, make sure you’re aligned with parties that also stand for the same causes as yourself and look to create an equal society for all.
- Support Black-owned businesses. As well as investing your time in educating yourself and supporting worthy causes, you also need to show up with your money! Invest in Black-owned businesses where possible and use your money as a force for good. You decide where you can spend what you’ve earned, so why not use it as an opportunity to support independent businesses?
- Support grassroots movements. As well as thinking globally, it’s just as important to think local. What community-based organisations, charities and causes can you support that will enrich your community? Changing the world can seem daunting, so start with changing the space around you first.
- Consider where your stuff comes from. Fast Fashion can only exist through racial oppression. Think about your current shopping habits and how sustainable they are. Who is making your clothes? Are they treated fairly? How transparent are the supply chains of your favourite businesses and companies? Often, racial equality comes into play when we dive into conversations of ethical and environmental factors across multiple industries.
- Learn how to have awkward conversations. Talking about racism can be awkward and uncomfortable, but that’s not a good enough reason to not engage in them. To create a more open society, we need to get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. Conversations about race shouldn’t just take place when it’s popular to do so, this is something which we need to continue to do for the rest of our lives.
- Remember it’s a journey, not a destination. Being actively anti-racist isn’t an easy task. It’s not something which can be easily achieved and is a lifelong commitment.
