The killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, among other recent injustices, brought to light, once again, this country's sickening and ultimately fatal attachment to hurting, harming, diminishing, and destroying Black lives. Black Lives Matter. It’s past time to dismantle this culture of hatred. It’s past time to end racist outcomes through tangible actions. Read PI’s full statement here.
We wanted to share links to organizations, writings, and other resources that have helped us explore and understand these issues and think about ways to move forward. This list is just a start and we look forward to hearing from you and adding your contributions.
- Unite! As one environmental justice leader recently told us, “this is a movement moment.” Systemic change cannot be accomplished by one person, or one organization standing solo. Work in solidarity.
Alliance for Boys and Men of Color--a national network of community and advocacy organizations
The Civil Rights Project at UCLA -- links to civil rights and advocacy organizations
Poor People’s Campaign--a national call for moral revival
- Support grassroots groups, community organizers, and Black-led organizations. Support their agendas and organizing efforts, which have become harder because of the COVID-19 pandemic and have exponentially expanded following the national protests. Support their ongoing existence. Support Black Lives Matter as an organization, nationally and locally.
Black Lives Matter
BOLD (Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity)--a national training organization that supports Black organizers
National Movement for Black Lives
- Reimagine community safety using safety in Black communities as the barometer for change. Hold elected officials, police departments, and justice systems accountable for racist, violent, and oppressive actions. Dismantle and defund systems that produce racist outcomes; invest in systems, policies, and practices that truly ensure community safety and wellbeing for those who have suffered.
Ending violence by police and in the community: calls to action for peace and justice--a PI podcast with Anthony Smith and Cuco Rodriguez
Cities United
Campaign Zero
Addressing Law Enforcement Violence as a Public Health Issue--a statement by the American Public Health Association
Sample letter on reducing funding for police
- Engage youth as leaders for change! Powerful young voices and advocates have been at the center of the response to the murder of George Floyd and the protests for justice and equity. Supporting their vision, dreams, and hopes for the future is tantamount to fulfilling our potential as a nation to value all people.
We are three young black men living in City Heights. This is why we protest.
MC: ID: How we’re staying connected
Black Lives Matter Instructional Library – for very young organizers
- Vote with a social conscience and ensure that right. Organize—especially around voting and the coming local and national elections. Work to end practices that suppress and disenfranchise voters, particularly in Black communities; mobilize young people to exercise their power to vote and make change; reinstate the right to vote for formerly incarcerated people who have been stripped of their voting rights.
American Civil Liberties Union--campaigns for voter restoration and to fight voter suppression
Black Voters Matter Fund
Fair Fight
Take the 2020 US Census--it determines political representation and federal funding
- Enact policies that repair past and reverberating present-day harms to African Americans. From truth and reconciliation practices to monetary reparations to providing access to healthcare for all African Americans, there are numerous policy proposals in education, community, and business development that can lead to tangible strides in advancing equity and racial justice. Fund and sustain them.
The Case for Reparations--article by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Proposal for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Commission
California’s black lawmakers urge support for bills to address systemic inequality
- Establish independent entities with youth and resident leadership to oversee progress on racial justice. Where needed, use legislation and funding to strengthen their capacity and authority to hold public systems accountable to closing gaps between racial groups.
- Encourage philanthropies to examine how their investment portfolios are perpetuating poverty, bias, and privilege. Invest to undo past harms and move investments to align with a racial justice mission. Examine hiring and funding practices and find mechanisms to be accountable to the community groups and residents.
- Hold the news media accountable. Check sources and raise concerns about narratives that are twisted to reinforce anti-Blackness, blame individuals and communities of color for issues related to COVID-19 spikes, or describe civil expression as destructive. Counter narratives that fixate on loss of property rather than loss of Black lives. Lift up narratives of youth leadership, community resolve, and systems transformation.
- End racialized segregation from opportunity. Whether in the areas of housing, jobs, environmental justice, education, or the built environment, policies, practices, and investments should close the chasms that keep Black communities from being able to reliably access resources and opportunities to thrive and achieve optimal health.
Rezonings are about race
Why we need park equity
Healthy development without displacement
We look forward to continuing to work with you and hear from you as we identify and accelerate action on our shared agenda.
Photo credit: Marley Pollack