I live in Minneapolis, MN which most of you reading know. This is close to where Philando Castile was murdered by cops. This happens way too often in this country and while the events in Dallas are tragic, that sniper was in no way connected to the Black Lives Matter movement and does not change the fact that black people and other POC live in constant fear for their lives in our country. The protests and solidarity marches happening nationwide are largely peaceful, with violence breaking out usually either due to police action or because of outside agitators with their own agenda (usually white anarchists who end up fleeing the scene, leaving POC and actual allies to clean up their messes and take the brunt of the blame). Black Lives Matter has but one agenda: for the police forces, court systems, and wider government at large to start treating black people like people. I am heartbroken and devastated that no matter how many black lives we lose nothing changes and so many will still chalk it up to something not racist or blame the victims themselves. Castile was revered in the school district he worked. People trusted their own families with him, he had no record, he had a hero of a partner who stayed brave in the face of his murder and her own bullshit arrest. But those facts shouldn't matter. No one deserves to die for busted taillights, for selling CDs or cigarettes, for holding a toy gun. No one. I am angry. I am heartbroken. I am praying to every diety that will listen for change (though I am taking action and supporting protesters as well) for Castile to be a tipping point. But it isn't about me, and I don't want to center my voice. So please check out these links-this very special edition link round-up.
From Black and POC Writers:
Where does a healer's anger go? A must-read for fellow witchy types.
How to Process Your Emotions but Skip the White Tears.
Fact based articles and livestreams.
28 Racist Reactions and Behavior (and how to overcome them)
A QTPOC roundtable over at Autostraddle.
Poetry. Because art is important.
From Allies:
Girl Boss Woo puts so plainly into words what I've been trying to express to other solopreneurs.
Important to understanding how infrastructure helps white people at the expense of black people and what we mean when we say that.
Actual facts and stats on actual disparities.
For Donating:
As a white ally, the number one thing you can besides getting out and putting your body and yourself on the line is donating either supplies or money for bail and protest needs or to help victim's families get or stay on their feet. To donate supplies, see where a protest is happening near you. Ask what they need. I know in the Twin Cities bug spray, blankets, and extension cords so the revolution can continue to be broadcast from someone other than mainstream media, so start there if you have no ideas. Otherwise, here are the funds for bail or victim's families:
Minneapolis/St. Paul bail, legal fees, etc. fund for activists.
Amo Mohamed's bail fund. A very important organizer and voice in the movement.
Lavish Reynold's (Castile's partner) Go Fund Me.
And finally, a (respectful, non-dismissive) giggle:
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Until next, Blessed Be. Oh, also this.
