It's been just over two months since George Floyd’s murder sparked the beginning of the current uprising around racial justice. Many white folks across the country have been activated to engage in anti-racist work for the first time, while others have deepened their level of engagement or recommitted to the work with new energy. Wherever you stand, it is imperative that we continue to center the Black Lives Matter movement and the lives of Black and Brown folks — even as headlines change.
In recent weeks, the media has been dominated by reports of the frightening and unconstitutional response to the BLM protests in Portland. As we see people brutalized and arrested by unidentified military personnel in unmarked vehicles, much attention has been given to the Wall of Moms, leaf blower dads, and wall of veterans. While some of the actions of these groups provide a powerful model for ways white folks can show up for Black lives, it is vital that we de-center white narratives and bring focus back to the reason these protests are happening. Much of the public narrative has focused on the white wall of moms, but it is Black mothers who have always been on the front lines of the movement, struggling to protect their children and facing the pain of losing them to racist police violence.
While we may be frightened by the prospect of a fascist police-state, we must also recognize that people of color have long been living under such conditions. From the earliest origins of police forces emerging as slave patrols, to mass incarceration and the brutalization of Black people by police, to ICE raids and detentions throughout the country, to the aggressive military response at Standing Rock, Black and Brown communities have been continually targeted by the state. As we track the events in Portland and hear the administration’s threats toward other cities, we can’t get distracted.
The fight for racial justice is not new just because many white folks are new to it, but the movement has recently expanded in ways that hold the potential for transformative change. This is a good time to ask ourselves how we can stay engaged and build momentum for the long term. What can we do to evolve from performative activism to sustainable activism?
One way is to learn about the local, grassroots groups that need support on an ongoing basis — whether it’s SURJ NYC’s partners or other organizations in the community. Move resources, commit to giving monthly donations and building a consistent practice of redistributing wealth, while also cultivating a habit of de-centering the white experience from your anti-racist work.
Instead, look to uplift voices that have been historically silenced and follow the long-standing leadership of Black and Brown activists. And embrace that working to dismantle white supremacy is a life-long process. Whether SURJ turns out to be your long-term organizing home, or we just help you get what you need to do this work elsewhere, we’re glad you’re with us today, and we’re here to support you in moving into lifelong, multiracial action for racial justice.
Read on for more specific ways to show up in the coming weeks, and take good care.
In solidarity,
SURJ NYC