Over the last couple of weeks, as a team, we’ve been discussing, donating, educating others, signing petitions, watching and learning about how we can support the Black Lives Matter movement. For this month’s The Beauty Thread, we’re recognising the importance of understanding white privilege and diverting the conversation from our usual beauty routines to share many of the resources and inspiring posts we’ve found particularly useful on our (ongoing) journey to do better. Black lives matter now and always, and we can all commit to becoming better allies. These smaller efforts together create bigger and wider change in the fight against racism, not just in the US, but the UK too.

So, how can you help?

EDUCATION

Education is key to learning and progressive change. Read, listen, watch, and read some more. Turn your attention to Black creators, activists, authors and artists and become familiar with their work. Listen to them and accept your privilege. It’s not down to Black people to educate us, we must put in the work and respect their voices.

Here are some of the resources we’ve found particularly insightful and inspiring.

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#educate
https://blacklivesmatter.com/
BLM’s #WhatMatters2020 will focus on issues concerning racial injustice, police brutality, criminal justice reform, Black immigration, economic injustice, LGBTQIA+ and human rights, environmental injustice, access to healthcare, access to quality education, and voting rights and suppression.#whatmatters2020.

Understanding the importance of having white privilege
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9DfahhBChU/

Systemic Racism Explained
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrHIQIO_bdQ&feature=youtu.be

A guide to becoming an ally – do’s and don’ts
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA8FJhIhhRt/

DIVERSIFT

One of the best ways we can support the Black community is to elevate Black voices and creators across all aspects of life, but especially our feeds on social media. In addition to some of our favourite Black-owned beauty businesses to shop from (mentioned here), these are just a few of the many creators, voices, shows, podcasts and books we’d recommend getting familiar with…

Great social voices and creators to follow…
@withloveyossy
@blackbeautymag
@Stephanieyeboah
@keeksreid
@gracefvictory
@atehjewel
@sonyareneetaylor
@kimberlylatricejones
@dija_ayodele

We spend our lives watching Netflix, so let’s diversify our watch list.

netflix

Dear White People
13th
When They See Us
Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

Podcasts more your thing?

BLMpodcasts

The Receipts
Slay in Your Lane
About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge
No Country for Young Women
Go Off, Sis Podcast

Or, pick up some new books…

books

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
Slay In Your Lane by Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid

CONVERSATION

It’s time we all engaged in conversation with friends, family, colleagues, bosses, even if it’s difficult. These conversations aren’t meant to be comfortable; change isn’t comfortable but it’s mandatory for ongoing learning and growth.

We also recognise that offline participation is crucial and @nataliesoutlet has created a useful guide.

BLM-OFFLINE-PARTICIPATION
These Instagram posts are a great start with helping to respond to certain arguments or common opposition statements.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBBTQ7kgT1S/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-eKNfpmJu/

BLM_PETITION

Just a few of the many petitions to sign.

Justice for George Floyd
https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jacob-frey-justice-for-george-floyd?use_react=false

Justice for Belly Mujinga
https://www.change.org/p/govia-thameslink-justice-for-belly-mujinga-justiceforbellymujinga?source_location=petitions_browse

Make Black British History Compulsory in Schools
https://www.change.org/p/secretary-of-state-for-education-make-black-british-history-compulsory-in-schools-71e42535-7049-472d-a095-cfebdf717db6?source_location=petitions_browse

More British Black Role Models In The UK School Curriculum.
https://www.change.org/p/uk-parliament-more-british-black-role-models-in-the-uk-school-curriculum

More protection for Black Trans Women UK
https://www.change.org/p/boris-johnson-more-protection-for-black-trans-women-uk?source_location=petitions_browse

DONATE
Black Lives Matter
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

The Bail Project Fund
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-bail-project

#SayHerName Campaign
https://aapf.org/donate

Belly Munjinga’s Family
https://www.gofundme.com/f/rip-belly-mujinga