How To Stand Up For Racial Justice Locally

protest

In the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death and protests occurring around the nation and even worldwide, many people are more acutely aware of the racial injustice in our country and the threat to black lives. For us and for many, silence is not an option anymore. It’s important that we actively fight for what’s right and not stand on the sidelines, allowing continued violence and oppression.

So if you want to stand up for racial justice and have an impact in your community, what can you do? Groups including White People 4 Black Lives and SURJ, who act in alliance with Black Lives Matter, the Movement 4 Black Lives and other activist groups report recently garnering more support from more activated community members than ever before. On a recent Zoom call orientation for WP4BL, they said that while they normally have about 40 attendees, this past week, there were hundreds who joined in, wanting to learn more about how they could contribute to change. Although racial injustice and the fight against it is not new, there are many people who now understand that “silence is violence” and who are looking for ways to stand up for racial justice in their community.

Here are some things you can do now. Search out hashtags and follow people on Instagram and Facebook whose opinions and actions resonate with you. They may be sharing about upcoming protests and budget discussions, petitions that need signing, funds that need raising, allowing you to get involved and make your voice heard. You can contribute time and money to help make a difference.

Sign Petitions

There are a number of petitions you can sign, adding your voice to many others. Here are a few to consider:

Text “ENOUGH” to 55156 or sign this petition to demand justice for Breonna Taylor 

Hands Up Act to punish police for shooting unarmed citizens 

http://www.justiceforbigfloyd.com/#petition

http://www.runwithmaud.com/#petition

http://www.standwithbre.com/#petition

Justice for Belly Mujinga 

Justice for Joāo Pedro 

Raise the Degree -Change.org 

Donate 

Black Lives Matter 

Aware LA

NAACP Legal Defense Fund 

The American Civil Liberties Union Southern California 

White People 4 Black Lives 

Campaign Zero 

Justice for Dion Johnson

Communities United Against Police Brutality 

Justice for Breonna Taylor 

Homeless Black Trans Women Fund

Beauty2theStreetz – Cargo Van to feed the homeless of Skid Row 

Donate to Small Businesses in Long Beach Affected by Looters 

Rebuild Long Beach 

Rebuild 10th Planet Long Beach 

Rebuild Cambodia Town 

Rebuild Zahalea Anderson School of Self Defense Small Black-Owned Long Beach Business 

Rebuild Legacy Salon 

Rebuild iNails and Spa 

Rebuild Jean Machine

Support Small Black Owned Businesses 

Handy’s Smoke House @handyssmokehouse 

Rober Earl’s BBQ @robertearlsbbq

Northtown Bistro @northtownbistro

Bundts on Melrose @bundtsonmelrose

Ladie Kakes @myladiekakes 

Savage Taco Truck @savagetacostruck 

Rollin’ Cafe Bistro @rollincafebistro 

Dzrt Dessert Studio @eatdzrt

The Lions Feast @thelionsfeast 

Louisiana Charlie’s @louisianacharlies

Twins Smokehouse BBQ @twinssmokehousebbq

Mabel’s Gourmet Pralines @mabelsgourmet pralines

Georgia’s Restaurant @georgiassoul

Royal Gourmet Cookies @royalgourmetcookies

Mile High Cheesecake @milehigh_cheesecake 

A Different Taste Catering @adifferenttastecatering 

Derrick’s on Atlantic @derricksonatlantic

O’Neils Comfort Kitchen @onellscomfortkitchen 

Sal’s Gumbo @salsgumboshack 

Tanjee Bakes @tanjeebakes 

Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles @roscoesofficial 

Virgilito’s Gourmet loco Lito’s @vlocolitos 

SunBelly Foods @sunbellyfoods

Devil’s Donut’s @devis.donuts 

Chef Kyle Jabri @chefkylej 

Listen & Learn

Here is a list of highly recommended books to learn about race

“Good Talk”  by Mira Jacob 

“Citizen” by Claudia Rankine 

“An African American and LatinX History of the United States” by Paul Ortiz 

“I’m Still Here” by Austin Channing Brown 

How Does it Feel to Be a Problem? Being Young and Arab in America” by Moustafa Bayoumi

White fragility” by Robin DiAngelo 

“Me and White supremacy” by Layla F. Saad 

“Women, Race & Class” by Angela y. Davis 

“So you want to talk about race” by Ijeoma Oluo 

“The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander 

“Why I’m No Longer Talking About Race” by Reni Eddo-Lodge

“How to be Antiracist” by Ibram X Kendi 

“Minor Feelings” by Cathy Park Hong 

“The Makings of Ferguson” an article by Richard Rothstein 

Google drive link to free pdfs of books written by black activists. 

How To Check on Your Black Friends a thread 

If you’re not a reader, here are some great streams on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon;

Just Mercy – Amazon  

13th – Netflix 

The Hate U Give – Hulu

Do the Right Thing – Amazon

Selma –  Amazon

12 Years a Slave – Amazon 

About the Author
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Shannon Jones has been selling real estate since 1998 and specializes in listing and marketing homes. She has consistently been one of the top Realtors in the Long Beach area. Prior to her award-winning career in real estate with the Shannon jones Team, Shannon has had successful careers in journalism and public relations. She holds a bachelors degree from UC Irvine and a masters degree from UC Berkeley. Shannon holds E-Pro, CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert), and PSC (Pre-Foreclosure Specialist) certifications. Shannon is very personable and maintains a very strong moral compass, always putting the best interest of home buyers/sellers above monetary goals. A California native, Shannon enjoys gardening, travel, reading, cooking and poker when she’s not selling homes MY DESIGNATIONS Lic# 01247705 | CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) | E-Pro | PSC (Pre-Foreclosure Specialist) MY SERVICE AREAS Anaheim Bellflower Buena Park Carson Cerritos Cypress Downey Fountain Valley Garden Grove Huntington Beach La Palma Lakewood Long Beach Los Alamitos Los Angeles County Norwalk Orange County Rossmoor San Pedro Seal Beach Signal Hill South Bay Westminster