Write to your elected officials
They are representing you, it’s their responsibility to listen to you.
- Find your MLA: https://streetkey.elections.ab.ca
- Find your MP: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en
Talk to people in your own circle
Some of your family members and other acquaintances might be racist, try your best to explain the consequences of their actions to them. On the other hand, some people close to you may have very useful information for you in regards to how you can help end police brutality and racism. However, remember that is not the responsibility of black people to educate you.
Sign petitions
There’s a link for a few: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#petitions
Donate
If you don’t have the financial means, there are videos on YouTube that are created with the purpose of generating lots of ad-sense to donate to non-profit organizations working on the Black Lives Matter movement. If you search up something along the line of “Black Lives Matter Fundraiser” you’ll be sure to find one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCgLa25fDHM&feature=emb_title
Read up!
- Be sure to read literature from a variety of authors. If you’re only reading books by straight, white men, you aren’t well read. And, when buying books, try to purchase from a local bookstore, to help support small businesses in Calgary.
- Remember, despite your best efforts, you will not be able to learn everything right now. Make a list of what you want to learn in the future so you can continue to educate yourself
- – Support the Black-owned and local businesses. @gonaduraj on Instagram has a post with a list of Black-owned restaurants here in Calgary. There’s plenty more too!
- https://blkgrn.com/ This is a link to BLK + GRN which is “an all-natural marketplace by all Black artisans who create quality natural Black-owned toxic-free products.”
Share education resources and petitions on social media.
You can start by sharing the resources we have provided in this post!
Be open to learning and changing your opinion.
Be okay with making mistakes, just make an effort to recognize them and learn from them.