Seeking change: resources for helpers

Black Lives Matter protest in Brooklyn, NY (photos by Laura Fuchs)

This week we have been reminded, again, that there are many vital battles to fight. The United States and the world have witnessed more brutal killings of innocent people, and communities are standing up to fight for justice. In light of what is currently happening in our country, outside of COVID-19, we have decided not to release a new interview this week. The injustices and traumas are so pervasive that we must stop what we are doing and take action. This pandemic is far from over, however, in alignment with our mission of supporting those on the front lines, we have decided that there are many front lines and right now we want to support those standing up against social and racial injustice.

To honor the fight for justice and the many people who are experiencing persistent and systemic racial inequities every day, we are offering resources which provide information on how to help either through donation or action.

Organizations with Vital Information and Options for Donations:

Black Lives Matter, which builds power to bring justice, healing and freedom to Black people across the globe.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), whose mission is to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which exists to preserve and protect the liberties and privileges guaranteed to each individual by the Bill of Rights. These liberties include freedom of speech and expression, equal protection under the law, due process of law, and the right to personal privacy.

Color of Change., who design campaigns powerful enough to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back, and champion solutions that move us all forward .

Campaign Zero is working on reforming law enforcement policies from the ground up through a comprehensive platform of research-based policy solutions.

Funds Seeking Donations: 

Bail Out Spreadsheet with information about bail out funds listed specifically by location, so that you can find your local affiliates.

George Floyd GoFund MeSite 

‘I run with Maud’ GoFundMe Site

Change.org Petition for Justice for Breonna Taylor

Resources for In Person Action: 

​"How to Protest Safely During a Pandemic" (Vice) 
These protests and this cause are vital, and the call to action to show up for your community is valid; and there is still a virus spreading through our states at the same time, so it’s important to answer that call to action as informed as possible.

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Black Lives Matter protest in Manhattan on 6/2 (photo by Laura Fuchs)

Further Suggestions:

We realize that for some, the issues stemming from systematic racism have been at the forefront of their lives, and for others, this movement is opening their eyes to how deeply rooted it still is in our society. The enormity of it all can lead to feelings of overwhelm. In order to take sustained action in the face of that overwhelm, we encourage you to identify a long term goal or project which you can commit time or continual resources to. Identify something that plays into your strengths, that inspires you, or that challenges you. Identify friends who you can ask to keep you accountable to stick with it, and also who can support you when the weight feels heavy. 

We would also like to leave those of you, who like us, do not necessarily understand first hand the emotions and trauma that go along with systemic, normalized racial injustice, with the idea of seeking to understand before judging. It is very difficult to successfully seek to understand if we have already judged. If we can all try to keep that at the forefront of our minds, maybe we can at least begin to build responses that are based more solidly in a desire for equality. 
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Thank you for listening. Thank you for your interest in how to help. We do have a diverse set of interviews yet to be released, and we look forward to continuing on this path in a way that continues to highlight the stories of those on the front lines of COVID-19, as well as holds space and compassion for those on a different kind of front line. ​

We know this list is not exhaustive, so please reach out to us at info@playingtolive.org if you have additions, and we will continue to update it. ​