The difference you can make
By Mary Docusen, Wisteria Magazine
I am a white teenager living in America. I have many friends that are as well.
With the recent displays of racial injustice in our country, discussions have changed within those friendships. Some people say that they don’t know how they can help, some feel as though they aren’t doing enough, and many don’t know where to start. I am not an expert on this topic, but I do believe that I can help make a change.
You can too. Here’s how you can start.
First, to better understand where racial prejudice in America stems from, you can educate yourself on the history of racism in the country. There are many books, podcasts, movies, documentaries, and more resources that can teach you all about its history. One book that I’m reading currently is Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. It’s a book marketed towards teenagers that tells the history of racism in America, showing where different ideas and behaviors come from, and how you can identify and discredit them.
Movies and series such as When They See Us (Netflix) and Just Mercy tell the stories of real people who experienced racial injustice firsthand. There are many other resources available, as well. Don't be afraid to keep learning, and definitely don’t be afraid to change your opinion as you receive new information!
Now that you are getting started, sign petitions and donate. Petitions are helpful because they bring awareness to the issue that the petition presents, also presenting the want for a change. The more people that sign, the more awareness the issue at hand gets. Even better, petition signing is free! Woohoo!
As for donations, there are many organizations and charities that are making a difference. You can also consider donating to bail funds, which are made for those who are arrested while protesting.
Now, I think we all know that the most powerful way to use our voice is through social media, so use it! Use your platform to spread awareness, share your opinion, find resources, etc. On instagram, accounts like @cltprotests post protests in the Charlotte area, accounts like @wisteriaclt and @kidzfedup work toward social justice and representation, and there are many other accounts with the same focus. However, do not let social media be a way for you to hide, either. It’s easy to put the work in by reposting or saying all the right things, but make sure it’s not just for show.
Have conversations in person, too!
Don’t be afraid to stand up to someone when others make racist remarks or you just want to talk to someone about it. Change comes with the influence of others. So please, have those conversations, even if they’re difficult. Some of the hardest conversations, however, can be with the people we love the most.
After the media moves on, I hope you do not.
The goal is to be actively anti-racist. Keep learning, speaking out, and putting in the work. Volunteer with/donate to various organizations, local and nationwide (some local organizations include The Stan Greenspon Center for Peace and Social Justice, Freedom Communities, Commonwealth Charlotte, Crisis Assistance Ministry, and more). National organizations like the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research and the King Center are doing great work. You can also take action in school. Make clubs, have conversations, and bring awareness.
Doing the most you can in your current situation is a good start, but this cannot just stop after a few posts, protests, or weeks. We cannot continue living in a world where one person’s life is valued more or less than someone else's.
Continue to learn, to grow. Our society needs it.
