Today’s blog post is in sequel to my last BLM post from June 3. This post involves ways we can support BLM and a summary of what all I have seen in the community, especially with the adolescents and teens. With the kids and parents permission, I have included what they (the kids) are doing to support the BLM movement in their own small ways!
In my last post, I shared stories and real life experiences of four strong women in our community to help spread positive awareness about what is happening in our world. If you haven’t read that post, please read it here. I also talked about three ways to show you care, which included:
- Get educated
- Speak up
- Spread the awareness
- Show your support
Getting educated means to learn about the history, and gather more information about the facts. Below you will find specific examples of which books to read, movies and/or TV shows to watch, and artists to follow. You will also get information on your fingertips about some petitions that you may sign, local organizations that you can donate to, and contact details of local pro-bono lawyers, as well as the local representatives to contact to help bring about change.
Speaking up can be speaking at a support rally, writing a piece (like I am doing) or doing podcasts or PSA ( public service announcement). You don’t have to be a famous person to do any of this; remember a small gesture by common people can make a huge impact!
Spreading the awareness can be by word of mouth, being involved in local organizations or globally through social media. Please share information and resources locally and nationally. Social media is huge in this era, so do share on any or all social media you may belong to. Start local and go global; to spread the awareness.
Showing your support may include sharing resources, participating in peaceful protest, signing a petition, contacting your representatives, reaching out to local businesses or doing fundraisers for the community.
In today’s post I am writing about ten ways you can show your support for the BLM movement. Credit goes to my 16 years old daughter who put the resources together for WISH (women inspiring social harmony) so everyone can help support, even if in small ways.
Below are the 10 ways to show your BLM support:
- Read books about race
2. Watch Black movies and shows
3. Sign and share petitions
4. Donate to local organizations
5. Prepare for a protest
6. Know your pro-bono lawyers
7. Support Black-owned restaurants
8. Contact your representatives
9. Support Black artists
10. Spread love and cheer. Say something before or as you see it happen. Do not be a by-stander. Just like in bullying the witness is as guilty as a bully, similarly for equality and fairness the doer is as guilty as the person/s next to them. Raise your kids to not only be color blind but rather be color aware.
I believe that our younger generation is much more aware, receptive and kind to each other. Let us make sure that we are doing our part by knowing about the history and being mindful; so we are able to do small changes in our lives to be kind to everyone around us.
Sharing here few ways I have seen our kids trying to support BLM and doing small parts in their communities. Thank you to family and friends for giving me their permission to post them here on my blog.
- My 16 years old (going to be 17 soon) has started a petition to demand justice for Justin Howell who was critically injured by an APD police officer while attending a protest. Over 36,000 have signed the petition and the numbers are growing daily! You are welcome to sign and/or share
https://www.change.org/p/austin-pd-justice-for-justin-howell
- WISH (Women Inspiring Social Harmony) fundraiser, the link is here
- Fund raiser by my local friend’s 15 years old daughter Sunishka Bera and her two friends in Houston suburbs. Proceeds went to NAACP
Sharing from the social media site of the parents after getting their permission-
“So proud of what our daughters did today – they baked cupcakes and sold them to raise money for a noble cause. These girls toiled away baking a 100+ cupcakes and raised many times over their goal. They just felt they had to do their part, so they decided to do something and contribute to this noble cause. Not only did they do us proud but what we saw was so surreal and humbling – supporters who came, donated more, took selfies, put up videos on YouTube, all showing solidarity, love and support. While we mourn as a nation, it was so heartening to see – The thoughts, the prayers, the love, the warmth, the smiles, the care, the compassion, the loving and sharing attitude and the hope for a better future – just humbled me so much today and reminded me that united we stand, one nation, indivisible, with justice and liberty for all – This is America!”
- Another’s friend’s 15 years old daughter’s embroidery on a T-shirt.
Say their name. George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbory. Aditi Iyer’s embroidery on a T-shirt to honor them.
- Another friend’s 19 years old daughter Shilpa doing a fundraiser: painting a portrait or natural landscape.
- Another friend’s 12 year old daughter made posters and went to the protest with them
It is so heartwarming to see these young kids and our future generation doing small gestures to support, raise awareness, and contribute to the BLM. What would this world be without these thoughtful and kind youngsters? As the new decade has dawned and brought us the pandemic and now this unrest, we need to think hard about what we can do to raise our kids to do a better job than what is happening right now! How can we be sure that when they are adults, they will be more responsible, inclusive, kind and humble to mankind that we are today? Hopeful about a better future for all of us!
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has
Margaret Mead
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “what are you doing for others? “
Martin Luther King
Dear readers, please share any other BLM support community involvement you may have witnessed with kids, teens or young adults. You may comment below or send an email at nishtha@dawnandhope.com
32 replies on “10 ways to show your support to BLM movement”
education is so important! a lot of these schools make black (and any minority) history sound so simple and friendly when it’s a lot deeper than that! I love that you shared resources for protesters to protect themselves, especially because a lot of people are probably in the heat of the moment and don’t prepare themselves for possible arrests
Thank you Zoe. I agree awareness has to start early and schools are one of the best places to learn in addition to homes.
Thank you for sharing the ways we can show our support! Truly all lives matter–regardless of race or religion.
Thank you Bea! Truly all lives matter!
Your daughter sounds amazing. thank you for these lists x
Thank you for reading and for your kind words, Lou
Thank you for sharing the ways we can show our support! Truly all lives matter!
Thank you Lora
Oh this is so wonderful to see the young people driving change!!! I love this so much, thank you for sharing and thanks to those kids for being brave and committed to making change in the world <3
Thank you Maria for your kind words. The youngsters are indeed going to bring small changes and make our world a better place.
These are great ways to show support. I know our local community did a similar thing for our local businesses to show support as well. We have been try to support the small local businesses from Covid, now we are now focusing on local minority owned businesses since many were targeted during the riots.
Thank you for sharing Jen, and for your support
Your daughters are amazing people! The younger generation is truly heartfelt, loving and inclusive. Thank you for these lists!
Thank you for your kind words, Yvonne
As the white mom to a biracial child, supporting BLM and equality in general is so important to me! These are all great suggestions!
Thank you Patricia for sharing, wishing love
Thank you for this! The next generation are more open minded, your daughters are precious. Keep it up!
Great post. It’s important to get educated. As a black person people ask me the most offensive questions and I wish they would just do their research.
Yes to be informed, aware and educated is very important. Thank you for your thoughts
Thank you for this post! I have been learning so much recently, and I will continue to educate myself.
Thanks Anna, me too
Thanks for this post. It is important to stand in solidarity.
Thank you Idara for your support
Getting educated behind the scenes (not on social media) is extremely important as this is all a journey we need to be on!
Totally agree, thank you!
Thank you for this article, it’s exactly what we need to hear in these tough times. I personally can’t go out to protest so it’s nice to know that there are several ways for me to actually support this movement.
Thank you. I am glad to hear
THIS POST IS SO IMPORTANT AND NEEDS TO BE SHARED EVERYWHERE… which is what I’m going to do! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much!
I am definitely bookmarking this to refer to the books and other resources. Thanks for this. You child is awesome! You must be proud
There is so much we still need to do, but this list is a good place to start for people who feel totally lost in how they can help. I appreciate the real life examples and showing kids doing what they can to advocate for black lives as well. We can all do something.
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