Anti-Racism Resources and Action Items // Black Lives Matter
By Molly Patrick
May 31, 2020,
Clean Food Dirty Girl is a website and a business dedicated to helping people eat more plants and less of everything else. We do this to help empower people to take their health into their own hands so we don’t have to rely on the medical system for conditions and diseases that are related to unhealthy food.
As individuals and as a company, we feel strongly about being vocal and taking action against racism. Every White person has White privilege, whether we asked for it or not. With that privilege comes a responsibility to stand up for people who do not have those same privileges and to help dismantle the systemic racism that the United States (and many other countries) was built on.
The murder of Breonna Taylor, the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, the murder of George Floyd, the murder of countless Black people is horrific and infuriating. The Amy Cooper phone call was shameful. But things like this are nothing new, things like this have been happening for centuries. We’re just witnessing more of them now because of smartphones and social media. Unlike the history we learned in school, this country was blatantly built for White people and to keep White people in power.
Like Angela Davis said, “In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be antiracist.”
I take this to mean educating myself about the true history of The United States, understanding White privilege and the role I have played in it, getting up to date about current government policies, learning about the criminal justice system, listening to the Black community, reading Black literature, learning from Black leaders, making phone calls, sending emails, signing petitions, showing up at town halls, speaking up when I witness racism in my community, protesting, having conversations with family and friends, supporting Black owned business, and voting in all state and federal elections. Basically, being a good human to other humans.
When we start doing these things, we will no longer be “shocked” when Black people are murdered by White people with little or no consequence. We will be empowered to show up and continually fight for what is right, not just when another murder happens and it gets trendy again.
We SHOULD be angry and heartbroken about the unjust events that have happened this past week, past month, past year, past decade, past centuries. And right now, White folks (including me) need to take more action and have less discussion about taking action. Yes, discussing is important, it gets people fired up, but let’s work on having that discussion lead to actual change.
Here is a list of resources and people that have helped guide my actions. Dive in and don’t resist when you get uncomfortable. We must get uncomfortable in order to fully understand White privilege. I’ve heard a lot of people say that they are upset and they don’t know what to do. Let’s stop saying that, it isn’t helping. Pick one thing and start there. And then let that one thing lead to the next thing.
If you have good resources that should be added to this list, feel free to share them in the comments below.
PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO:
- Seeing White (by Scene On Radio)
- Sincerely Lettie
- Yo, Is This Racist?
- Good Ancestor
- The Breakdown
- Reveal
VIDEOS TO WATCH:
Systemic racism explained.
Matthew Kincaid – Taken from his Facebook post.
Watch this by Trevor Noah (especially if you have issues with the protests).
Powerful words from people pushed to the brink.
ARTICLES:
- What is racism?
- How white people can be effective allies
- The “All Lives Matter” response
- Holy shit, being an ally isn’t about me!
- A Timeline of Events That Led to the 2020 ‘Fed Up’- Rising
- Performative Allyship Is Deadly
- Bryan Stevenson on the Frustration Behind the George Floyd Protests
BOOKS TO READ:
- Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
- How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad
- So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
- Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
- The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
- The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism by Edward E. Baptist
- The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
- Road Map for Revolutionaries: Resistance, Activism, and Advocacy for All by Elisa Camahort Page
- I’m Still Here – Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Brown Channing
- Do the work – an anti-racist reading list
ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT AND LEARN FROM:
- Grassroots Law Project
- Equal Justice Initiative
- Know Your Rights Camp
- The Love Land Foundation
- Together Rising
- Coming to the Table
- The Racial Equity Institute
- The BIPOC Project
- Overcoming Racism
- The Adaway Group
- Southern Poverty Law Center
- Teaching Tolerance
- Campaign Zero
- Center for Policing Equity
- The Movement for Black Lives
ANTI-RACIST EDUCATORS TO LEARN FROM:
- Rachel Cargle ( @rachel.cargle on IG)
- Austin Channing ( @austinchanning on IG)
- Layla F. Saad ( @laylafsaad on IG)
- Ebony Janice ( @ebonyjanice on IG)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND ACTION ITEMS:
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
- Anti-Racism Resources
- Resources for Accountability and Actions for Black Lives
- A good list of children’s books
- A good resource for parents
- Sign this petition
- Donate to the nationwide bail funds
- Watch these TED Talks
- Watch and subscribe to Emmanuel Acho’s web series, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.
- Make sure you are registered to vote, register to vote by mail, and get election reminders.
- Find out when your local and state elections are and make sure you and everyone you know votes this November (2020).
- Our Mayors determine how the Police behave in our cities. Our District Councilman and Supervisors are elected to represent us to the Mayor and hold them accountable. Our District Attorneys determine how we are charged and prosecuted. The judges determine how to execute the laws. These are all ELECTED officials who impact our lives and how Justice is served. Their elections are not always the same time as the national elections. Be clued up about who is representing you in your district and vote with your values.
- Google Doc featuring black-owned bookstores
- Install 5 Calls on your phone and make phone calls to your representatives every day (scripts and phone numbers included).
- Join or start a protest in your town / city to demand racial justice.
- Contact your local leaders (sample script below)
Call, write, email, and petition your local leaders (I.e. mayors, governors, Congress and Senate) telling them you demand social justice and police reform. They need to know in this election year that this is a top priority.
If you have never contacted a representative before, it is quick and easy. You will most likely be directed to voicemail, and if you do speak to anyone, it will be an assistant. The main point is to let them know what is important and concerning to you. They track and record, so that is why it is important to contact them.
Congress will be holding hearings in coming weeks on use of excess force by police and racial violence. Once bills are created, that is the time again to contact your reps and let them know which bills you want passed. Topics to research are “for profit criminal justice system”, “police demilitarization”, and “defunding police”.
Here is a script you can use when you call:
“My name is [first and last name]. I live in [city, town, county, island, etc…], and I am one of your constituents. I am calling because I am very concerned about our policing procedures and police accountability. I ask that you immediately prioritize policing reform.”
AAPI RESOURCES (Asian American and Pacific Islanders):
Since the start of the Pandemic in 2020, hate crimes against Asian Americans have been on the rise. Words matter. We are seeing the consequences of the former president’s words when he spoke about COVID-19 being the “The China Flu” from CHY-NA, the “Kung Flu”, and the “Chinese Virus”. Every week there are new reports of Asian people of all ages, even people their 90’s, being slapped, beaten, cut, shot, harassed, spit on, slashed, and attacked in the United States.
Luanne, my CFDG co-founder (who is Malaysian) told me the other day that if we still lived on the mainland she would move countries because she no longer feels safe. Luckily, we live in Hawaii where we aren’t seeing this behavior. My heart breaks for the Asian community and I am standing by them, speaking up, and speaking out. Below are a list of organizations to donate to and get involved with that will help the AAPI community.
Stop AAPI Hate
Asian Mental Health Collective
Asian Pacific Fund
Now go eat some delicious plants and stand up for our Black, brown, and Asian brothers and sisters. Please add a comment below and tell me three action steps you will take today to help fight racial injustice.
xo
Molly + Team Dirty
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I can’t thank you guys enough for this. My damn head’s been spinning with what to do, what to not, what to say, what to not say…who to ask, who not to ask. I’ve been combing Instagram (in between eating plants) to form a list—damn if you didn’t just do the work for me and much better. Thank you so much for always being such fucking awesome human beings. Much love.
Muah! We are more than happy to do it.
xo
Molly
Molly and team, THANK YOU FOR THIS! I’m sick and tired of being outraged and ready to take action and educate myself so I can be of some use outside my white bubble.
I appreciate the time you took to put this comprehensive list together.
❤️
Thank you for doing the work and being open to getting out of your bubble.
I’m right there with you.
xo
Molly
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Layla Saad’s book title is Me And White Supremacy.
Yes, thank you for the correction. I have updated it.
This is an incredible resource for all of us. I am so proud to be part of Team Dirty!!
Here’s what I want anyone reading this to know:
It took me a while to understand that “privilege” in this context does not mean money.
I’ve never had money or wealth and would not consider myself privileged, however (THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART!) I’ve come to understand that I’m beyond privileged!
I get to jog / shop / run / walk / eat / drink / be merry, and live my life without suspicion.
Simply put, I get to breathe without being afraid.
White privilege is something you’re born with and it’s the absolute very first step to help change our world.
It is imperative that we recognize it, acknowledge it, and open our eyes to see what life is like (as much as we can) for our neighbors of color.
I am heartbroken for my country and all of my brothers and sisters. We all must act and act now.
“Racism’s always been there. Now it’s just being filmed…”
– Will Smith
<3
❤️?
THANK you … This info is so helpful! I’ll share it with others.
Thank YOU, Ann, for stopping by and for taking action! ~Karen on behalf of Team Dirty
Thank you for this ♥️ amazing resources here!
We are happy to share! Thank you, Lisa! ~Karen + Team Dirty
AMAZING resource link. THANK YOU!!! Passing this along to every single white person that I know.
Heather, thank you for taking action and we’re glad this resource is helpful! ~Karen + Team Dirty
Thank you…my much-more-enlightened-than-me son and DIL have been sending me resources too…can’t learn too much about this…I pray that, regardless of one’s political bent in general, we can all move forward together in support of our POC brothers and sister and that the political discussions about solutions needed to address the systemic issues can be had in a context of love and reason…
Hi, Kati – thank you for sharing and for opening your heart and ears! ~Karen + Team Dirty
Thank you for this wonderful compilation of resources.
Three things:
1) Currently writing postcards to voters to remind them to vote in November (to be mailed in Oct). I have 300 so it’s a good thing I have time!
2) Reading How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi and discussing with family and friends.
3) Contacting my alderman about police oversight legislation being discussed in Chicago.
Keep going friends. We need to show up however we can right now.
Kim – thank you for sharing how you are taking action to inspire others! ~Karen + Team Dirty
Thanks Molly for this gift. Now go back to relaxing and healing. We need you healthy! And thanks to all of who responded so quickly to this Saturday Fuckery. I love you all! Going to my first rally/ protest today.
Hi Mary Ann, I hope your experience today is invigorating and uniting! Thank YOU! Molly is making a sign right now for a local protest near her so you will be out there together. ~Karen + Team Dirty
Thank you for using your voice and calling attention to these great resources!
We are all learning, too. Thank you, Krista! ~Karen + Team Dirty
Thank you for these words. I especially like “I’ve heard a lot of people say that they are upset and they don’t know what to do. Let’s stop saying that, it isn’t helping. Pick one thing and start there. And then let that one thing lead to the next thing.” You’re so right. I have been taking all of this in these past few weeks but we all need to take action NOW! Right now before I do anything else, I am going to 1. watch one of the videos above, 2. look through the list of places to donate to and make a donation, and 3. refer to a list I saw of protests happening in my state and see which ones I can show up to and show my support. Thanks for giving me that nudge. And thanks also for always being such a thoughtful voice and leader.
Yes! This is it, we all have to start somewhere. And this list is where I’ve started, too. Thank you for sharing and taking action, Erin! ~Karen on behalf of Team Dirty
I’ve been at this work for a couple of years now, but only just discovered That’s Not How That Works podcast. The last episode of this season outlines 12 of their many episodes for those starting out on this journey. Nothowthatworks.com to find your favorite podcast platform 🙂
Thank you for doing this work, Joy, and living a life of action. Also, thanks for sharing this podcast! ~Karen on behalf of Team Dirty
Thank you so much. Instead of feeling helpless about what to do, I now have an action plan.
I am grateful for the resources, too! There’s always so much more to learn if we are open to it.
Xoxo,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
Thank you for sharing these resources to help all of us unlearn and relearn. We have to take advantage of this awful moment to unlearn, relearn, listen, stand in solidarity, and take meaningful and powerful action.
Laura, We are glad the list is helpful! Karen + Team Dirty
Brava for being a true leader! The list you compiled will definitely help to open eyes and hearts, and then spread the light forward. Thank you. Thank you for also mentioning that “other countries” have present day racism as well, and they’re not all white vs. other. This is a beautiful opportunity for the US to lead the way and make changes that will ripple around the world. It’s time. There’s no going back or turning our backs any longer. Black Lives Matter and we will hold each one in love.
This is important work and we have to simultaneously look within ourselves, talk with our personal networks, and get involved politically.
Looking within:
Reading, listening to podcasts, not looking away.
Talking with my networks:
I started a book group, reading Between the World and Me
I did a presentation to my faculty about cultural appropriation and we are having great discussions about the stories and literature we offer our students.
Getting involved politically:
I’m writing postcards to voters in my state (Alaska) and I adopted a swing state (North Carolina) for the November election through Vote Save America.
My daughter and I attended 2 marches in AK.
I contacted our mayor about changing police practices.
I’m grateful for the resources. I have a lot to learn.
Hi Molly and CFDG team. Thank you so much for your anti-racism stand and this post and resources. I love so much about you. I really appreciate the effort it took to pull this together and am taking daily action to be a part of creating the kind of world I feel proud to live in.
I have been hearing controversy over Campaign Zero and their goal to reform the police rather than de-fund them. I thought you might want to look into this a bit more to see if you still want it on the list. If you just do a simple search for de-fund vs reform police a lot of articles come up.
We all have so much more to learn and we need to keep our eyes open to see, ears open to listen, and hearts open to love.
Thank you for sharing,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
Good for you! This was very helpful and informative.
We’re so happy you’ve found this helpful! <3
Great job with this list gang! I’m calling the US Embassy in Halifax first thing Monday morning to see how me and my husband need to proceed to vote in the next election as Permanent Residents of Canada. In the meantime gonna make my way through your podcast /vid list. Already been planning my stepdaughters education on these matters during her summer visit that starts next week ??
Equality and kindness for all humans and animals ❤️❤️❤️
Awesome! Taking action is so important. xo
Thanks Molly for posting this. I was so happy to see you and the team address this issue. I’m already writing letters to “on the fence” voters but the last week has told me that I need to do more. My town is forming a regular committee/meeting for ongoing discussion that I’m going to join so that I can become better educated. I’m also joining a Zoom call this week led by another women’s group that I follow to come up with a plan for further actions. As for your suggestions, I’m going to start with the Ted Talks and donating one of the organizations mentioned above as well as to a local organization that supports people of color. As always, thank you for creating the CFDG space. I never thought a “food page” would become my favorite place to visit each day and I’m so grateful that you have returned from your break momentarily to help us address racism.
Hi Sherrie!
I am so glad to see you taking action and spreading love through your area of the country.
Thank you for sharing,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
Thank you. This is very important. Those of us with privilege are too concerned with doing it right and end up not doing anything at all. This was super helpful. Much obliged.
Hi Sarah!
That is very well said. We no longer have the luxury of standing on the sidelines. Everyone must rise up and show up for our neighbors of color.
Xoxo,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
Understanding the injustice to Native American people is important as well. Two books I would recommend here is Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt and Lakota Woman by Mary Crow Dog.
We agree, Amy! Thanks for these recommendations, we’ll be sure to check them out and keep educating ourselves. <3
This is awesome!!! Thank you Molly and CFDG team!! We sure appreciate you all!!!❤️
? We are glad to have made this resource, thank you Tessa!
Thank you so much for the resources! Yes, we do have a responsibility to step out of our comfort zone, and help those people who have been oppressed, and whose lives are the way they are because of centuries of wrongful treatment and behaviors by all people of privilege. We are part of the problem if we don’t stand up and help, and make our voices heard.
I have a friend in the UK recommend a YouTube video (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YBYUET24K1c&fbclid=IwAR2FC-EZqIZnAfuHuQwK71V-7gGQScfh41SVmitY4BeP2tsXVBbmRGtVjoY) by Carol Anderson who wrote, “White Rage”. I am waiting for my copy of the book to come Monday.
Thank you to everyone who provided more resources.
Thanks for the recommendation, Tomi! We’ll check it out. It’s so important for us to keep informing ourselves so we can be more effective seeking the change we all need. xo
Thank you for putting together these amazing resources! I participated in a protest in our small community of 300 people. Approximately 100 people showed up with signs. We kneeled in silence for 8minutes 48 seconds which was eye opening of how long George was tortured by the officer’s knee. We sang songs, cheered as cars honked their horns, and set up a Take Action Drive to support people of color in our community. It feels good to be doing something!
Hi Susan!
I participated in the protests / responses in my cities of Asheville and Hendersonville, NC. It felt so good to actually be doing something.
Thankful for your stand in your community.
Xoxo,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
I appreciate this so much. Thank you!
We are glad this resource is helpful for you, Janet! Karen + Team Dirty
thank you for these resources. I will start using them and have posted your blog to facebook to spread the word.
Mahalo nui loa
Thank you Barb for spreading the word!
Xoxo,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
good list! Thank you!
You’re welcome! <3
Thank you!!! I just shared with my large group of friends. Education and Speaking up is KEY! Appreciate the list of resources. Hopefully everyone will find SOMETHING that resonates.
Hi Susan!
Thank you so much for sharing this important action guide.
Xoxo,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
Molly I just knew you were sent by a magnificent spirit to show us the way.thank you,Be well lovely Molly
Our Molly is certainly a gift from the universe!
Team Dirty feels the same way…
Sending love to you,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
Thank you for sharing! I am asking so many to stand up and speak up and I will continue this with all the coaches and leaders I’ve been or am working with and that is another thing ANYONE can do. Question them about what they do in being anti-racist and you can do this with your yoga studios, beauty parlours, hairdressers, virtually anybody. We are the ones to step up and help now and all it takes is your voice. So please, please keep highlighting this!
Agreed, Sibylle! Using our White privilege as a platform to demand action is one of the most effective ways we can promote change. xo
You continue to be the voice I love to hear and follow- whether it’s about eating or doing what’s right. You are a gift! I ordered three of those books last week from Amazon (all back ordered which is a hopeful sign to me). I have signed petitions, donated and watched videos. My heart wants to be at the protests but still locked down due to an immunocompromised child. My next steps will be researching the defunding the police idea – I have to say I don’t understand how that works. I wanted to add that I read they are streaming Just Mercy the movie for free in June. Thanks for this amazing list!
Hi Katie!
You’re so welcome. We all have a lot to learn and it’s past time to stand up and take action for the things we know to be decent and true.
Thank you for sharing,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
You and Team Dirty have been and continue to be a wonderful gift I gave myself. I love this list. I have donated money, watched videos and am planning on calling my representative soon. I cannot stand the dystopia that we seem to be destined for if we (me too) doesn’t do something. I saw something “A white person trying to understand black strife is like trying to put size 12 feet into size 6 shoes”. We can try but in the end we must understand that most people are just trying to live their life to the best of their ability. Be kind and do what you can to make community safe and happy for all.
This is so true. We must believe our BIPOC brothers and sisters and use our privilege to lift their voices up. <3
I have never understood why there is still so much racism in this country in this day and age! Thank you so much for this post and the important videos!
Hi Nadege!
You’re very welcome. Let’s spread this guide to everyone we know!
Sending you a great big hug,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
I think after you read the books, you will have a super clear picture.
Cheers to reading the books!
xo
Molly
Thank for this, Molly. We are on the verge of epic change and people like you shoe it along!
We are all so grateful for Molly’s action guide!
Thank you for sharing it,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
Thanks for all your research and call to action, I’m sharing these with my meditation group – And making a promise to stop avoiding the awkward conversations.
And here’s one more; an interview with Resmaa Menakem.
https://onbeing.org/programs/resmaa-menakem-notice-the-rage-notice-the-silence/
Yes! Have those awkward talks. They are so necessary.
Thank you for the podcast recommendation, I will batch to it tomorrow.
xo
Molly
You are a force of nature!
Thank you for all these resources!
Molly shows us all the way and we are grateful!
You are most welcome – share this guide with everyone you know.
Xoxo,
Lyndsey @ Team Dirty
Thank you for all these amazing resources, now to educate myself! Hope you are healing Molly <3
Thanks for your well wishes, Debra. We’ll make sure Molly sees them. We’re so happy to do our part to end the oppression of our BIPOC citizens. We have a lot of work to do, and a lot to learn, but we’re right there with you. <3 Stephanie + Team Dirty
Thank you, Deb!
xo
Molly
Thank you, Molly, for this wonderful resource! I will dig in and check out some of these items! I am one of the people feeling helpless right now, one born to “white privilege”. May these dips and plunges into educating myself regarding these horrible events assist me in becoming a more gentle and understanding person, not just in my words, but also in my actions. Thanks so much!
There’s a lot to learn, unlearn, and come to terms with. Keep doing the work and take comfort that we’re doing it with you. Love & Light, Stephanie + Team Dirty
Yes! It’s time we all must stand up and take a stand.
And we can’t do that without fully understanding the problem.
xo
Molly
It’s great to have this list compiled in one place. I live five blocks from Lake Street in Minneapolis’s third precinct. I’ve done a little bit of clean-up and participated in a food drive. I’m a block leader and an election judge. What I’m doing/have done:
1. Responding to ignorant Facebook posts with factual, deconstructed information.
2. Read up on “qualified immunity”, which is what protects police from prosecution for crimes they commit while on duty. Learned enough about it to understand that either the Supreme Court has to revisit previous adjudication and change their stance (which created qualified immunity) OR Congress has to pass a law that overrides the Supreme Court’s current interpretation of a Reconstruction-era set of three laws collectively known as “Session 1983”.
3. Wrote to my Senator (who was once the County Attorney who failed to prosecute George Floyd’s murderer, Derek Chauvin, for multiple previous complaints of excessive force) and asked her to write and present a bill on the Senate Floor that would abolish “qualified immunity” in police cases resulting in the death of unarmed citizens.
4. I have been examining my reactions and perceptions (internal as well as external) in situations involving race; seriously questioning the white lens through which I view the world.
I pledge to also read more articles and books about racism and anti racism that have been written by BIPOC.
Yes! Reading more BIPOC voices and informing ourselves of the laws and rulings that have allowed this type of injustice to flourish are things every White person can do. We’re so happy that you’ve found clear action items to help. Keep up the good work, we’re right there with you! <3
13th, a documentary on Netflix was eye opening and painful to watch. About the racist roots our country were founded upon and how racism has been perpetuated through the war on drugs and mass incarceration. I learned a lot and will lean in to watch it again.
And again. Becausee there was also a lot I’m sure I missed.
Agreed, Jill. 13th is such a powerful, eye-opening look at our prison system and its disproportionate role in the lives of American BIPOC. Ava Duverney is using her voice to help educate and inform us in such a beautiful, poignant way. I’ll be sure to pass on the recommendation. Thank you for your words. xo
Thank-you so much for using your platform for change!!
this is a great list that I will use and share.
Like you, I have been educating myself and have joined a local white anti-racism group.
The time is now to donate, get out the vote, protest and find our ways to be the solution!!
Sally
Awesome, Sally! Figuring out how to take action is so important. We’re so happy this list has helped you. xo