If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past week, you’re probably aware that America is in shambles right now. Innocent black men, like George Floyd, are continuously being killed at the hands of police officers. Many men and women in the past have been killed by police officers and unfortunately many in the future will be as well. We have an issue in this country and it won’t be solved until we all decide to open our eyes and confront it. Massive riots have broken out across the nation. People are getting hurt, businesses are being burned down and the voices of the oppressed are continuing to be silenced. If you’d like to be apart of the solution, here are some things you can do.

Sign a petition

When you sign a petition you bring awareness to a cause and incite change. There are many petitions going around right now. The Raise The Degree Petition is to get Office Derek M Chauvin, who murdered George Floyd, to be convicted of first degree murder. You can find a list of other petitions here.

Attend a protest

If you want to see change, you’re going to have to demand it. Attending a protest is a great way to have your voice heard and spend time around likeminded people who are also advocating for change. If you decide to protest make sure to stay safe by watching your surroundings, wearing a mask, and other protecting gear. Remember we are still in the middle of a pandemic and it could possibly be hazardous to your health if you do not take proper precautions.

Donate

Donating is an extremely efficient way to contribute to a cause. There are many organizations you can donate to if you’d like to help protestors, the family of victims, and various black owned businesses.

Spread the word

If no one knows that something is occurring, they’ll never be able to help the situation. Awareness is the first step and it can be achieved by spreading awareness on social media and in real life. You can create a social media post, Youtube video, blog post, podcast, etc. to share the story.

Start a conversation

Talk to your friends and those in your community, especially black people, about what’s occurring and hear their perspectives. Listen to learn. Do not be quick to respond but take time to hear someone else’s point of view and respect their feelings.

To be silent is to be complicit.