Welcome to the latest in my Allyship Check-In series! This series shares resources to help each of us live more antiracist lives. It contains articles, blog posts, multimedia, book recommendations, petitions and more. These resources are curated by my own research and by sharing resources I’ve learned through, from various organizations, like: Anti-Racist Daily, Prism, The 19th and more. I hope this Allyship Check-In allows you to find something below that speaks to you!
Please consider supporting these organizations above! While I am simply linking up and sharing articles, they are the ones doing the work: the research, the reporting, the writing. Let’s support their work so they can continue to do it.
Series Background
I started this Allyship Check-In “series” of blog posts in 2020 to share more resources to help with each of our own anti-racist journeys. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the fact that many of the resources I’m linking down below come from the hard work of those on the Anti-Racist Daily team (the ARD) , to which I subscribe for daily email updates. Many of the readings, actions and donation links come from what I learn from their articles. As such, I have become a monthly Patreon donor, because you need to pay BIPOC people for the work they do in helping dismantle racism, not just take what you can for free. I hope you consider subscribing and supporting them, too, especially if you are a white reader.
Like I mentioned before, while a lot of these resources are tied and focused to the Black Lives Matter movement, I have started to incorporate other resources about more global events, as well.
Please keep the comments kind and constructive–though, please never hesitate to call me out if I’ve misstepped, if you are comfortable doing that emotional labor you shouldn’t have to do in the first place. I appreciate your assistance in helping me learn and continue to grow into the actual ally I want to be.
Last caveat: I listed a bunch of resources, because I hope you will click on the links and listen to the BIPOC voices who are speaking up, instead of hearing my take. I’m using this as a space to amplify their voices–not add my own commentary to the mix.

Staying Informed
This month’s Allyship Check-in has a ton of reading material. Once again, a lot of this is focused on the cruel attacks against pregnant people seeking abortions, but it also focuses on gun control, after we saw multiple mass shootings this month. I hope you’re able to read more below to stay informed, so we can fight.
Readings
Highlights from the ARD
- The Continuing Fight for Abortion Rights by Nicole Cardoza
- The Filibuster: A Jim Crow Era Rule in Modern Times by Diarra English
- The ‘Great Replacement’ Theory: From Conspiracy to Mainstream Violence by Dominique Stewart
- How Digital Surveillance Threatens Reproductive Freedom by Nicole Cardoza
- Why Adoption is Not the Solution to Abortion by Alison Fields
- The Rainbow-Washing of Pride by Nicole Cardoza
- How You Can Help the Uvalde School Shooting Victims by the ARD team
Politics
- The Kansas Supreme Court to say if Republicans gerrymandered the state’s congressional map by Dylan Lysen for KCUR
- Update: Kansas Supreme Court upholds controversial GOP-drawn congressional redistricting map by Dylan Lysen for KCUR
- She’s a White suburban mom. Can this lawmaker — and her viral speech — rally people like her for Democrats? by Barbara Rodriguez for The 19th*
- The 19th Explains: The governor’s races we’re watching in 2022 by Barbara Rodriguez for The 19th*
- After Buffalo, say ‘no more’ by William C. Anderson for Prism
- Overtly white supremacist ideology is being sanitized and mainstreamed by Natasha Ishak for Prism
- Border Patrol presence at Uvalde shooting adds trauma for the Latinx community by Alexandra Martinez for Prism
LGBTQIA+ Rights and Abortion Access
- On Trans Day of Visibility, We Affirm Visibility, Safety, Protection, Love, and Unity by Ryann Holmes for M4BL on Medium
- Kansas lawmakers fall a few votes short of banning transgender athletes from women’s sports by Stephen Koranda and Jim McLean for KCUR
- The Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade, according to a draft opinion. Here’s what we know. by Shefali Luthra, Abby Johnson and Terri Rupar for The 19th*
- Blue states have passed laws to shore up abortion access, but it may not be enough to address potential surge by Shefali Luthra and Barbara Rodriguez for The 19th*
- Roe v. Wade decision will mean Kansas abortion rights hinge on a state vote in August by Blaise Mesa and Dylan Lysen for KCUR
- What happens if Roe v. Wade is overturned? LGBTQ+ legal experts are worried about civil rights. by Kate Sosin and Orion Rummler for The 19th*
- Birth control, gay and interracial marriage, and more may be at risk if Roe v. Wade falls by Alexandra Martinez for Prism
- Republican state lawmakers prepare to quickly limit abortion access if Roe v. Wade is overturned by Shefali Luthra for The 19th* (in partnership with The Guardian)
- Want to support abortion rights but have no clue where to start? Advocates have some ideas by Alexandra Martinez for Prism
- Advocates say access to contraception will be the next battleground by Alexandra Martinez for Prism
Education
- Biden Nears Decision on Canceling Some Student-Loan Debt by Andrew Restuccia for The Wall Street Journal
- Black Students Experiencing Racism on Campus Lack Mental Health Support by Melba Newsome for Kaiser Health News (KHN)
- Black grads aren’t making bad decisions about student loan debt by Kimberly Atkins Stohr for The Emancipator
- How would $10,000 in student loan debt forgiveness impact BIPOC borrowers? by Natasha Ishak for Prism
- Stop asking how to pay for free college and account for the unjust, wasteful spending of not doing so by Jalil Mustaffa Bishop for The Emancipator
Other Miscellaneous Reads
- Rachel Cargle and Leah Thomas Talk Black Climate Optimism by Leah Thomas for Atmos
- How the Book Industry Turns Its Own Racism into a Marketable Product by Tajja Isen for Lit Hub
- The Kaw will reunite with a sacred rock that Lawrence used as a monument to white people by Celia Llopis-Jepsen for KCUR
- Guest opinion: The vital role of diversity (but not the kind you think) on state courts by Cara McClure for AL.com
- As climate change worsens hurricane season in Louisiana, doulas are ensuring parents can safely feed their babies by Jessica Kutz for The 19th*
- What is Vital to Your Survival by Ijeoma Oluo in her newsletter, Beyond the Book
- Libraries are reimagining what public safety and access to resources look like by Tamar Sarai for Prism
- As cases rise, COVID long-haulers want mandates and protections back in place by Montse Reyes for Prism
- Federal efforts to find graves could impact the search at a Native boarding school in Kansas by Luke X. Martin for KCUR
- Nurses have had an up-close view of the pandemic deaths in the U.S. from NPR
- The push toward a four-day workweek is gaining momentum by Montse Reyes for Prism
- The WIRED Guide to Your Personal Data (and Who Is Using It) by Louise Matsakis for Wired
- Monsters are in Charge and No One is Coming to Save Us by Chuck Wendig on his blog, Terrible Minds
Videos, Podcasts and Media
I’m trying to include more multimedia content within each Allyship Check-In, since I know not everyone enjoys articles like I do! Here’s what I engaged in this month:
Multimedia
- Trans Bodies, Trans Voices: a video series, hosted by TransLash
- Ask An Expert: What is Free Speech?: “a special mini-series where our constitutional experts answer your civil rights and civil liberties questions. For our first edition, we are diving deep into Free Speech, and talking to expert Ben Wizner, the Director of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology project.”
- Climate change will displace millions. Here’s how we prepare: a TedTalk about climate change, by Colette Pichon Battle

Getting Engaged
Petitions
Now that we spent the first part of this Allyship Check-In becoming informed, now it’s time to take action. Here’s a selection of petitions you can sign and make your voice heard.
Sign Your Name In Support of:
- No abortion bans. Period.
- Demand abortion within reach, regardless of zip code
- Tell Facebook to stop hate for profit by quitting using their platforms to spread misinformation
- Tell the Senate to end the filibuster
- Cancel student debt
- Sign now to demand Instagram stop censoring Palestinian voices
- Tell the NRA to cancel it’s upcoming convention in Texas
Take Action
On top of learning and signing petitions, I always want to include ways within my Allyship Check-In to get even further engaged. Find ways to deepen your involvement and support those groups, people and initiatives below already doing this work!
Get Engaged
- Equality Federation: an organization that “amplif[ies] the power of the state-based LGBTQ+ movement” through advocacy, civic engagement, leadership and organizational development
- Kansas for Constitutional Freedom: protect abortion rights in Kansas
- The Body Is Not An Apology: “continues the work of investigating where systems of oppression live inside us,” by founder Sonya Renee Taylor
- Explore this list of independent journalism to stay informed
- Support the American Disabled for Attendant Programs (ADAPT) to help fight for disabled rights and justice
- Read from The Emancipator, a new online journalism platform focusing on “reframing the conversation on racial justice and equity.”
- Use Noise for Now’s Abortion Resources to find clinics and resources available.
- Support Bans Off Our Bodies by donating, attending a rally or sharing resources.
- Learn how to support indie abortion clinics through the Abortion Care Network
- In prep for Pride Month, tweet at these five organizations who rainbow wash as part of their “allyship”
- Take action to help the families affected by the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas
- Use the 19th*’s guide to figure out what abortion rights are in every state
- Support Students Demand Action to fight against gun violence in schools
- Read the M4BL statement on Biden’s Executive Order on Policing
- Want to know which senators have received the most money by the NRA? Check here.
Donate
As always, I like to highlight different organizations, movements and areas to support financially in each Allyship Check-in, if you’re able. Also, I decided to commit to $20 a month to a different organization, for as long as it’s feasibly possible for me.
This month, I donated to the Robb Elementary Relief Fund.
Support Financially
- Social Equity and Education Initiative: “is energizing voters and empowering activists to preserve freedom, for all, in the United States.”
- Donate to the Victims Fund for those who were killed during the shooting in Buffalo.
- If/When/How: “We’re loudmouth lawyering for reproductive justice. Then, now, and in the years to come.”
- Find your local abortion clinics to support, either financially or by volunteering as a clinic escort
- Use this mutual aid guide to support groups, initiatives and LGBTQIA+ missions
- Donate here to support the families and victims of the Texas elementary school shooting

Further Reading
If you want to go deeper than articles or blog posts collected in this month’s Allyship Check-in, look no further! Check out the non-fiction below to learn more and dive deeper. Then, read, buy and promote the fiction books by BIPOC and queer authors–or, share your own recommendations in the comments.
- Diversifying Diversity by Dr. Poornima Luthra
- Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed
- The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
- The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah
- Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
- Check out this list of fiction books about abortion, written by marginalized authors, curated by the team at the ARD
In Sum
Thank you for reading and engaging with this latest Allyship Check-In post! I hope you learned something new, deepened your knowledge about important issues and found different ways to get involved. Whether it’s through educating yourself, supporting important work financially or supporting individuals in their efforts by sharing their content.
I know it can seem daunting, with all of the hate and oppression currently going on in the world. But together, we can conquer it. We have to.
Let Me Know Your Thoughts!