Burn wrote:Jeddostotle7 wrote:To quote Angela Davis, "In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist. We must be anti-racist." It doesn't matter how much we don't hate Black people, or think they're fine, or whatever. If we're not actively working to dismantle the systems that oppress people, we're part of the problem.
See, to me, the problem with that is someone may not be in a position to help.
Some people may choose to keep their opinions to themselves to spare them from abuse or criticism.
Some people may not have the tools to help.
I've seen people being branded racist because they haven't declared that they're anti-racist, that their silence means they are racist.
That's not fair, we shouldn't have to declare sides.
The phrase "silence is violence" is being used a lot now. Fence sitting in an easy way out for those who benefit from white privilege because they're not the ones in fear for their lives because of the melanin content of their skin.
This is not to say that everyone can/should help in the same way as it can be done in a variety of ways:
Direct action: physically taking part in a protest or stepping in if you see police brutality in action. Not open to everyone, either through where they live or how physically able they are. White people though have a sheild they can use to directly protect black lives so use it if you can.
Remote action: maybe donate some money. This can be to a group that is bailing out protestors or helping with other legal costs. Lots of people can't donate because they don't have the money which is fair enough. Everyone can sign a petition against police violence though. Likewise emailing your local politicians and tell them what you think too.
Using your platform: This thread is an example of it. Use what platform you have, be that on social media, a blog etc. It's very simple to put a simple message of support and can be done anonymously of course too.
Education: listen to black voices and what they are saying, both online and IRL. Read up on the history you weren't taught in schools. There is ample material available online and free.
Calling out racism: some racists are quite open about it others will only let it slip out if they think it's safe to do so. If you're in the presence of that, either IRL or online, call it out. Say that you don't agree with racist attitudes. It might make for an uncomfortable family dinner or some people in the facebook group might kick off but that's just tough. Letting these views slip by is harmful.
Simply sitting back and saying "this doesn't affect me" or posing an pseudo-intellectual argument of not being able to support them, put your on the wrong side of history.
"Property got damaged."
Well guess what this has happened at almost every protest against equality in history. From women's sufferage to gay rights. Also note that footage of cops breaking shop windows is out there, done to discredit protests.
"They attacked the police."
These protests which have been mostly peaceful with the exception of wherever the police have been in large numbers wearing stormtrooper armour. It turns out more police brutality is not the way to end protests against police brutality.
"The protesters are violent."
Some of them may be. They aren't professionally trained to deal with situations like this. The cops are meant to be but to date haven't been very successful in restraining themselves from lashing out. There have been exceptions such as the impressive displays of restraint shown a few months ago to the heavily armed guys protesting the right to get a haircut and the KKK march in Alabama last week.
"They should just go out and vote in November."
They likely will. So long as voter suppression doesn't stop them from being able to do so. Remember though that Donald Trump got a whopping 8% of the black vote at the last election so clearly it didn't help then. Now Joe Biden is talking about increasing police budgets how exactly will voting help?
"It's not the time to talk about this now."
If not, then when? The protests against the deaths of George Floyd and others haven't ended and there has already been another police murder, this time of Rayshard Brooks, for being asleep in a Wendy's parking lot.
"It wouldn't happen if people didn't resist the police."
Tell that to the grieving family of Breonna Taylor who was shot whioe sleeping in her own bed at home by cops breaking in on a warrent for someone else who had already been taken into custody.