5 Things Friday
Changing laws doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't happen with one petition or a single phone call. So, today, remember where your antiracism journey started and go back there. Start again. Here are your antiracism action steps for May 28.
Photography by Misan Harriman
One year. Tuesday May 25 marked one year since George Floyd was murdered by police—a tragedy that sparked a global movement for racial justice. And there is no doubt that over the past 365 days there has been some significant progress made in this centuries-long fight. But a year later there is also intense disappointment. Disappointment in all those companies who crafted statements of solidarity and promised deep changes in their corporate culture and then went right back to business as usual. Disappointment in politicians who made promises of revolutionary changes in policing and incarceration that were swiftly broken. And disappointment in ALL THOSE WHITE PEOPLE who marched and posted and read...and then settled back into their lives once the hashtags stopped trending.
That's why today we are going back to basics with our 5 action steps. Changing laws doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't happen with one petition or a single phone call (but that helps!). So, today, remember where your antiracism journey started and go back there. Start again. And again. Recommit. Because we won't get there if you don't.
You can check out this recent piece on ABC 7 on what organizers (including myself) have to say about where we are at a year later.
Here are your 5 things.
GO BACK TO THIS. Yeah, us white folks bought A LOT of books last summer. But if you're anything like me (2 kids, job, surviving a global pandemic) you may have a few still sitting unfinished on your bedside table. Stay committed to educating yourself on everything from the history of institutionalized racism to the modern Black experience. Head back to REP CO's resources page to see book and film recommendations, links to anti racism workshops, and more.
READ THIS. George Floyd was murdered on May 25. Writer Shaquille Heath was born on May 25. Read her moving essay about sharing the day she celebrates life with one of the most high profile (and world shifting) deaths in modern memory.
DO THIS. Become a co-sponsor of the Breathe Act. This visionary bill divests our taxpayer dollars from brutal and discriminatory policing and invests in a new vision of public safety—a vision that answers the call to defund the police and allows all communities to finally BREATHE free.
SEND THIS. Yep, we wrote about qualified immunity last week. Nope, we aren't just being lazy. When we talk about harmful and racist foundations—this is IT. Qualified immunity is a key element of the architecture of impunity that amplifies police power and keeps them above the law, and disproportionately impacts those targeted most by law enforcement: including people of color, particularly Black people, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals. Send this letter to congress now, demanding that they put an end to qualified immunity.
DONATE TO THIS. You know we send you this email every week. You might even know REP CO works with a multiracial coalition of journalists to research and produce original stories that keep racial and social justice in the news. But did you know we also offer pro bono PR and marketing services to Black owned businesses and racial justice orgs? From full-service photography, story creation, and media placement (like this and this and this), we do it, and all on a completely volunteer basis. But because we are committed to paying all Black creatives (and we LOVE to hire Black creatives), we depend on donations to make that possible. I'll be honest—donations have slowed big time over the last few months, but requests for our help telling stories has not. We would be so grateful for any and all donations right now. If your pockets are a little deeper (or you just need the tax write off) you can donate larger amounts through our fiscal sponsor right here. Thank you!!!!!