BLM Protests - How You Can Help

“NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE” these words are being said all around the globe by people who are protesting for a more equal and less racist world! So why have these protests been happening? Shouldn’t we have already resolved the problem of racism in 1955, when the civil rights movement happened? The recent protests have been happening due to the murder of an innocent man called George Floyd on the 25th may 2020, he was murdered by a police officer (someone who is meant to be protecting our world not killing people). The police officer’s name was Derek Chauvin.

This is an example of one of the many innocent people police have murdered simply to do with the colour of their skin - how horrific. For a number of weeks now the protests have been happening, most of them peaceful but some have been a bit violent. Police officers in America have been tear gassing people and shooting rubber bullets at them, just because they are protesting for rights that no one should of ever have to protest for. We are all equal, no matter our skin colour!

Although there have been some down sides to the protests, there have been some good things that have come out of them too, for example, in Minneapolis there has been a vote to defund the police stations, and refund the money into community programmes. They have also chosen to replace the remaining police officers with trained professionals, which will help the city in many ways. Changes have been happening in other states and cities too, they have also started to reinvestigate racial murder cases committed by police. Dereck Chauvin’s charges have been increased and the three other officers who were with Chauvin have been charged too. Breonna Taylor’s murder has also been reinvestigated and hopefully they will charge her murderers soon. For changes like these to keep happening we have to keep protesting.

If you are not able to protest, there are other ways you can help, like donating to the Black Lives Matter cause, signing petitions for the justice of innocent people who have been murdered and to put their murderers in jail. To educate yourself on what’s happening at the moment, you can read books, watch TV documentaries, read articles and more. Last but not least, talk to your family and friends about what’s happening, and spread awareness by using your social media accounts. Just remember, Black Lives Matter!

Here are some resources where you will find information, and advice on how you can help.

Books you can read:

(For younger children) A Is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You by Jason Reynolds

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Vlackman

This Book Is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell

Articles you can read:

Why You Need to Stop Saying “All Lives Matter” By Rachel Cargle

How to be a white ally by Stephanie Yeboah (Patreon)

100 Ways White People Can Make Life Less Frustrating For People of Color

TED Talks you can watch: