Monday Mourning, Black Lives Matter, and What You Can Do

This a Monday like no other in American history. Faced with a global pandemic and economic meltdown, social unrest sparked by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis has swept across the country.People are heartbroken. They are tired. They are enraged. And more than I've ever heard in my lifetime, people are saying that they are committed to making change.While I certainly hope this is true, we all need to understand that the road to change will be long and hard and frustrating. It must be a commitment that lasts a lifetime.Let's make sure this is more than a moment. It needs to be a sustained movement with each of us working to dismantle white supremacy and acts of injustice every. Single. Day.I've been asked countless times in the past few days how I'm holding up during all of this. It's been hard to know how to answer. Today, I had no idea where this was heading as I pressed "record," but thought I'd try to process some of my thoughts.A few tangible actions came out of these musings:

1. Recognize the pain that so many are going through today. Those conference calls and projects just aren't that important. Realize it. Recognize it. And act accordingly--act with humanity.

2. Be as committed to changing things six months and six years from now as you are today.

3. The world needs you at your most passionate and brilliant. Take care of yourself. 💖 This will be a long, hard fight.

We will say it until it's clear that our society means it: Black Lives Matter.In addition, here are links to some resources:

• 31 Children's Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance

• Opportunities for White People in the Fight for Racial Justice

• Brené with Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Antiracist - Unlocking Us Podcast

• Community Bail Funds across the U.S.

• The Conscious Kid on Instagram

• Rachel Cargle on Instagram

• Rachel Cargle's The Great Unlearn

• Ijeoma Olou on Instagram

• How Can I Become a Better White Ally?

• Anti-Racism Resources from Manifold Studios

• An Antiracist Reading List from the New York Times

• Antiracist Resources from the University of Washington

• Digital Resource Guide from the National Museum of African American History and Culture

• Afrophilly Business Directory

• Harriet's Bookshop

• Uncle Bobbie's Bookstore

• Indigenous-owned Bookstores

• 20 Black-Owned Shops to support in Philadelphia

• Black-Owned Bookstores in Philadelphia

• Barack Obama's essay on how to bring about change

Are you ready to be a part of the solution?https://youtu.be/lJXDUoeeN-YPhoto by Maria Oswalt on Unsplash

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