Supporting the black community

I wanted to start a thread to discuss ways we can all support the black community during these troubled times. Float some ideas and maybe talk about what each of us has done.

For me, my support mostly has been to rally my (three) friends and family around the BLM movement and the protests. I’m keeping track of the votes and really calling out relatives that have voted for Trump in the past. I’m also educating myself on developments as each day goes by, working on my own emotions and really, think through the issue at hand.



I feel I’ve not actively participated as much as I had in the past because I’m immuno-compromised. That is usually the way I show my support is by going to protests (safely). The best I can do is drive by the local protest where I live and honk in support. It’s not a lot, but it’s what I can give where I am right now.

I feel I ought to make some kind of donation, but I just donated to two animal causes after the passing of my girl, and money is tight. So, I might consider it again next month.

What about you guys?

 

Getting ready for the November vote is so important. I’ve read that voter suppression will be at an all time high. Maybe I’ll start focusing my efforts there.

 

So depressing, right? Scientists, at least the ones I follow, agree that while coronavirus is important, this is more important. I just hope they get that vaccine out soon and it’s not withheld from the disenfranchised.

 

Right - we are past the point of intersectionality. Plus, I was taking to my cousin today, if you saw someone choke a polar bear to death on the street like that, you’d be outraged. And, it’s not like anyone needs to understand what it’s like to be a polar bear in order to understand how f*cked up some acts are.

 

This is why I feel like it’s been so important to engage my relatives, especially the boomers. I’ve noticed a lot of Asian Americans do the same on social media and...I think we have the same struggle. It’s like, how do you argue against that one experience they had at some convenience store fifty years ago.

 

Having conversations with my relatives brings the issue into my home, my sphere of influence. It is, as the article you posted says, addressing the issues of black racism in an arena they have no access to.

However, talking to older Asian relatives has its own set of challenges. One thing, it’s not the norm to confront older relatives and then they just expect you to accept that it’s ok they hold totally racist views on nothing more than an experience they had with a black person thirty years ago, or heard about from their friends.

 

That’s rational. Would you protest if not for the coronavirus?