Freedom…?

Create an ad to inform people about a charity and encourage them to donate. It can be a real charity or you can make one up! 

Freedom is a word that our country was founded on, yet over 400 years later and people of color are still being discriminated against. Even after the 13th Amendment, even after the Civil Rights Movement, in 2020 black men and women are still being unfairly punished and killed simply because of the color of their skin.

The recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmad Aubrey (and many more) have risen to the center of media attention in the past weeks as an example of the police brutality and the biases that people hold. Tensions are rising as most people are saying enough is enough. People are taking to the streets

Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a movement that was founded in 2013 after the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. It was founded to eradicate white supremacy and to build local power and intervene to combat acts of violence towards black people. But things are still happening regardless of the liberties that all people are supposed to have in this country.

In recent memory, there have been multiple killings of black men and women that have been thrust into the media not because of the act itself, but because it was filmed, shared, and seen thousands of times prompting outcry from people around the globe.

I acknowledge my privilege as a white woman. I understand that I will not experience the same things that people of color in America do. I understand that I can jog, sleep, and drive without fearing my life. But for the people who do, I will march, educate, speak, and walk alongside until equity and justice are given.

I created this graphic that can be posted as an ad on social media, websites, etc. to bring awareness to the BLM movement and to encourage donations (not just to BLM, but to many different platforms). In a culture that is focused so much on appearances, posting on your social media isn’t enough. Throw appearances aside and do the works that are going to make the change.

Empathy:

“Let me hold the door for you.

I may have never walked in your shoes, but I can see your soles are worn, your strength is torn under the weight of a story I have never lived before.

Let me hold the door for you.

After all you’ve walked through, it’s the least I can do.”

Morgan Harper Nichols @garden24co
Using ProCreate on an iPad, I sketched over a protest photo before combining them into a GIF.

White people: this isn’t about us! Here are some practical steps to follow in order to be a non-optical ally.

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Social media has been a bit overwhelming since I first put up this post so it has taken some time for me to post this. On Friday, I shared this content on Twitter after I felt the conversations online were like screaming into an echo chamber. I wanted to provide those who wanted to support and be an ally with practical tips to move forward and make a change in our society. I am still somewhat surprised and overwhelmed by the reception so please take patience with me at this time. — For a note on who I am to those who have followed me from Twitter, my name is Mireille. I'm an assistant editor and I do freelance writing, PR and sensitivity reading and other bits on the side. I am extremely passionate about diversity and inclusion, and everything I have shared is not new knowledge to me. From as far back as I can remember I've been campaigning, fighting for equality and supporting and working with black owned organisations. I have worked in the diversity and inclusion space for around four years and I have been equipped with knowledge, skills etc through that work as well as through wider, intensive reading and being raised by a Jamaican mother who has a degree in Women's Studies. I felt as a mixed race person who was emotionally capable despite the current situation that I could use my learned experience, skills and compassion to offer this advice to allies and anyone else who was seeking advice but didn't know where to turn. This is now on my stories as a highlight so please feel free to share from there or here. — A small reminder that this took emotional labour and POC, especially black people are not here to teach you everything. When I said ask how you can support, I meant on a personal level as a friend etc. I hope this toolkit provides you with the starter info you need but there are genuinely people more experienced than me who warrant your listening to – please go and follow @nowhitesaviors, @laylafsaad, @rachel.cargle, @ckyourprivilege, @iamrachelricketts, @thegreatunlearn, @renieddolodge, @ibramxk + a few more: @akalamusic, @katycatalyst + @roiannenedd who all have books or resources from many more years of experience. _

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