Learn & Unlearn: Anti-racism Resource Guide

Original post on @saic.maffairs posted 10/23/2020.

Foundation: Power

What is the BLM Movement?

#BlackLivesMatter was created In 2013, taking from a love note from Alicia Garza addressed to all Black people in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman. Patrisse Khan-Cullors added the hashtag, and Opal Tometi created a Black-centered movement as part of a larger movement for Black liberation.¹ #BlackLivesMatter is a decentralised political and social movement that demands racial equality for all Black people, opposes all forms of racism, creates space for Black creativity and leadership, and centers Black joy and liberation.^2,3

#BlackLivesMatter isn’t just a statement, It is a call to action. 

Quote

“The Black Lives Matter Movement is a testament to the fact that courage is contagious,”-  Opal Tometi ⁴

To Read

Flaxman Library Materials - May take up to 3 days from request to pickup. Instructions are available here.
I-Share Books - May take up to 10 days from request to pickup. Instructions are available here.

• “Black Lives Matter - Why the Movement is so Important,” Jill Miller, Press Banner, June 2020 [Article]

To Research

• “A Timeline of Events That Led to the 2020 ‘Fed Up’-rising,” Michael Harriot, The Root, May 2020 [Article]
• “Meaning behind the movement: Black Lives Matter,” Marissa Lucero, UNM Newsroom, June 2020 [Article]
• “We didn’t start a movement. We started a network,” Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Medium, February 2016 [Article]

To Listen

• “Justice for Ahmaud Arbery (with State Senator Bill Ferguson),” Pod Save The People, May 12 2020 [Podcast]

To Watch

• “Black Lives Matter Video Essay playlist,” The Video Essay Podcast, August 21 2020 [Video watchlist]

To Follow

Stat @stattheartist
Devon @devthepineapple
Alicia Garza @chasinggarza
Opal Tometi @opalayo 
Patrisse Cullors @osopepatrisse 
Black Lives Matter @blklivesmatter

To Reflect

#BlackLivesMatter isn’t a statement as much as it is a call to action. How are your personal actions validating and affirming of Black lives?
How is your action investing in the joy and future of Black lives?
How is your activism coordinated and inspired by the leaders of #BlackLivesMatter?

To Act

You, your family, friends, and community, need to VOTE, vote early, or vote by mail. Check your status here. 
Join the movement in the fight for Freedom, Liberation, and Justice at BlackLivesMatter.com. Sign up for updates, support the work, wear official gear, follow BlackLivesMatter on social media, and donate to fund the movement. 
Disrupt the spread of misinformation about the Black Lives Matter Movement. You can defend #BlackLivesMatter from disinformation by reporting suspicious or fraudulent sites here.

Sources

Works Cited

1. Patrisse Khan-Cullors, “We didn’t start a movement. We started a network,” Medium, February 22 2016.
2. “Herstory,” BlackLivesMatter, accessed October 2020.
3. “About,” BlackLivesMatter, accessed October 2020.

4. Opal Tometi (opalayo), “The Black Lives Matter Movement is a testament to the fact that courage is contagious,” Instagram, image, May 2020.