Allyship Check-In No 26

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.

Table of Contents

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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

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

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.