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Thread: So many people are in motion right now which is incredible. If you're at a loss for what to do to show up, here is some advice I’ve given to people close to me, which may be helpful to you. /1
First, the obvious: give money, if you can. Here are some recommendations. This is a limited list - there are a lot more great efforts to support out there. https://twitter.com/chloecockburn/status/1267894967428661248 /2
When giving $, know that orgs play difft roles in the ecosystem. When giving, notice an org’s values and How it makes a difference. If you think organizing and protesting matters, give to groups doing that work, especially local groups led by youth of color. Do some research. /3
Follow your local Black-led organizations on FB/insta/twitter and take direction from them as to what they most need from you. Plus, join @colorofchange for ongoing petitions and updates. If you’re a white person, join @ShowUp4RJ. /4
If you can, get together in a pod with people you trust, to figure out together how to contribute. Connect with them and invite them to commit to learning and taking action with you. This work is a team sport! /5
Realize that so many people are very very eager to help right now. If you were nervous in the past about telling your friends about ways to give money, or asking them to learn with you, it’s a good time to try again now. /6
Take an inventory of your resources: money, skills, and relationships. After you give money, can you encourage your friends and family to give money? Do you have skills, around fundraising or other types of support, that you can offer? /7
Remember: many #mutualaid networks sprang up in the wake of COVID. These networks are great ways to directly, materially support communities you care about, and start forging interdependence. Here’s a good place to find a bunch of them. https://www.mutualaidhub.org/ /8
Elections: there are very consequential DA, sheriff, and judicial races. Often times people have little or no information about the candidates. In addition to giving to good candidates, you can help by doing research on the candidates and sharing that in your networks. /9
Read up on the history of race in America so you have confidence when speaking to your people. The New Jim Crow, The Color of Law, Stamped from the Beginning, Devil in the Grove, Slavery by Another Name, The Collapse of American Criminal Justice.. there are many. /10
If you like listening to podcasts, @Justice_Podcast is a really great way to get introduced to issues across this space. I recommend listening from the beginning. https://theappeal.org/topics/justice-in-america/ /11
And for some basic introductions on how things work, here is an explainer on prosecutors: https://indefenseof.us/issues/processed/prosecuted /12
Here is a how-to on courtwatching, a key way that regular people can shine a light on what’s happening in courts and ensure that defendants are not mistreated: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e1f966c45f53f254011b45a/t/5e35aa598d7df649e77e9fc0/1580575321975/CJE_Courtwatching_FINAL.pdf /13
And some more explainers on a range of more technical criminal justice things: https://theappeal.org/topics/explainers/ /14
Bottom line: equip yourself to organize where you are, while taking leadership from people most affected. There is a lot you can do from the place where you stand.
