The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many more have sparked increased attention and protests against racism and police brutality targeting Black people. Systemic, institutionalized racism has been present since the founding of our nation. We need to use this moment in time to perpetuate change rather than have it be another instance where the issue is swept back under the rug and the injustices continue.

It is imperative that all white folks take action and move past their white fragility and privilege to speak up and refuse to live in a society that continues to murder and discriminate against its people of color (POC) and Black citizens. It can be difficult for white folks to acknowledge that they are part of the problem and are supporting systemic racism without doing so explicitly. White privilege can allow any feelings of discomfort that come up to be ignored since life can go on without interruption or fear. It is important to face these feelings and move through them as it is not up to Black and POC to educate and expend emotional labor.

Here are some resources I’d like to share and urge all white folks to read ASAP:

• Scaffolding anti-racism resources

• SURJ Toolkit: Calling People in Around "Violence"

• Racial Equity Tools: Whiteness and White Privilege

• 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

• Brené Brown with Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist

• Critical Conversations: Dr. Robin DiAngelo on White Fragility and Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism

• How silence can breed prejudice: A child development professor explains how and why to talk to kids about race

• Centre for Mindfulness Studies - Standing Together

• Black Lives Matters Meditations

• Resources for talking about race, racism, and racialized violence with kids

• Brightly: Books and Resources to Help You Raise Anti-Racist Children