How to Support the Black Lives Matter Movement

Even though the initial surge of protests and anger about the Black Lives Matter movement have passed, you can still help the movement move forward. Below are some ways you can still make your voice and opinion heard.

1. Sign petitions. You may think that signing your name on a petition doesn’t matter. BUT IT DOES. When millions of people sign a petition, it forces the government to enact what the petition is for, therefore creating change. I have included some petitions below but there are many other petitions you can sign with just your name and email address.

   1. https://act.colorofchange.org/

   2. https://www.thepetitionsite.com/

   3. https://www.change.org/

   4. https://www.change.org/

2. Vote. It seems kind of obvious but many people don’t vote. According to the United States Elections Project, only 58.1% of the voting-eligible population voted. The decisions that the president and other people in power make affect each individual in the United States. If you aren’t eligible to vote just yet, make sure to keep yourself informed with news (next) and encourage other people to vote. Every vote counts. No seriously, it does. In the 2000 presidential election, George Bush won because of the state of Florida. Approximately 6 million people voted and Bush won by 537 votes. That’s less than the number of students that attend my school!

3. Keep up with all types of media (news/social media). By keeping up with the latest news, you will be informed of all incidents and the progression of the Black Lives Matter movement. If you haven't seen the news or checked social media, you wouldn’t have known about George Floyd. BUT keep in mind that many cases go unannounced and just because something isn’t in the news, doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen.

4. Watch YouTube Videos. Many YouTube videos are donating ad profits to different charities. This is awesome because you can donate to the movement without having money. You could just watch the video, or you could mute the tab and do something else. Be sure to turn off any adblockers. I have included some examples below.

   1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTfXQXU-t6o

   2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAZgTNBLSLA

   3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H230RUNzfk8

5. Go to local protests.

6. Donate. Donate whenever you can. I have included some verified places you could donate to.

   1. https://t.co/CyScKoivgd?amp=1

   2. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bail_funds_george_floyd

   3. Note: do not donate to change.org (a private corporation)

   4. https://www.blackvotersmatterfund.org/

   5. https://colorofchange.org/

7. Support Black-Owned local businesses. Supporting black-owned businesses is beneficial for you, for them, and the local economy. According to the National Women’s Law Center, a black woman earns 61 cents for every dollar a white man earns. By supporting black-owned businesses, you help close the racial and gender wealth gap. By supporting local businesses, you are also employing and helping people in your community instead of supporting some big cooperation.

I hope that you will use these tips and help the Black Lives Matter movement. Thanks for reading!

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Hemali Gauri (she/her)

Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville Freshman