She Strengthens

Sustaining Momentum: The Ongoing Fight for Black Liberation

Beyond Performative Allyship

Being an ally to the Black community requires more than just reading a few books or checking in with Black friends. It demands a sustained effort to combat white supremacy and fight for Black liberation. This is not a checkbox on a to-do list, but a lifelong commitment to unlearn and relearn.

Outward Actions

There are tangible steps you can take to demonstrate your support. Call out racism in the workplace, donate to organizations led by and for Black people, and shop at Black-owned stores, including bookstores. Take on the emotional labor of educating your friends and family about racism. However, it’s equally important to recognize that these actions alone are insufficient.

Inward Reflection

To truly become an ally, you must also engage in introspection. Acknowledge the privilege and power that come with being white. Recognize that your understanding of the world has been shaped by a Eurocentric education and media. Unlearning these biases will take effort and dedication.

Listening to Black Voices

A crucial part of this unlearning process is listening to Black voices. This doesn’t mean relying on Black individuals to educate you or provide emotional labor. Instead, read books written by Black authors, watch films created by Black filmmakers, and support Black-led organizations. There are numerous resources available, including PDFs of essential texts shared by Black individuals on Twitter.

Education and Self-Improvement

The journey to becoming an ally is not impossible, but it does require effort. Here are some resources to get you started:

Books

• How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
• Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
• Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Davis
• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
• As Black As Resistance by Zoé Samudzi and William C. Anderson
• Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
• Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
• The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
• The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
• The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon

Documentaries and Films

• “13th” (Netflix)
• “When They See Us” (Netflix)
• “Just Mercy” (Apple TV)
• “The Hate U Give” (Apple TV)
• “The Black Power Mixtape, 1967-1975” (Apple TV)
• “I Am Not Your Negro” (Amazon Prime Video)
• “Boyz n the Hood” (Hulu)
• “If Beale Street Could Talk” (Hulu)

News and Media

Follow Black-run news sites to stay informed about the experiences of Black people:

• Wear Your Voice Mag
• Bitch Media
• ZORA Mag
• LEVEL

Donation and Support

Donating to organizations that support Black lives is a tangible way to make a difference:

• The Tony McDade Mental Health Recovery Fund
• The Nina Pop Mental Health Recovery Fund
• The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness
• Loveland Therapy Fund

Remember, becoming an ally is a continuous process that requires effort, dedication, and a willingness to listen and learn.