Thousands of Words: Black Lives Matter

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“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” — Desmond Tutu

Over the past few days, I’ve been at a loss for words. I’ve been constantly searching to find what’s ‘right’ to share for this week’s essay and have realized that just isn’t good enough. This hesitancy to speak up is an enormous part of why racism and inequality are still part of our nation today.

I’m privileged to have this small platform to help amplify the stories and voices of female athletes and that includes the incredible Black athletes that are affected by this systemic and systematic oppression, every single day of their lives.

Crystal Dunn eloquently stated, “When one of us falls we all fall. When one of us is hurting we all carry that hurt.” These words and the words of so many others have echoed throughout my head this entire week. And while I will never be able to fully understand what she and the Black community have experienced and are currently experiencing, I can stand beside them and do my part to help support this movement and ultimately rid the world of this horrible, harmful injustice.

So here are some ways that you can get involved, including links from some incredible leaders in the Black community who I’ve been following to better educate myself on ways to support.

Petitions You Can Sign:

Justice For George Floyd

Justice For Breonna Taylor

Justice For Ahmaud Arbery

Justice For Tony McDade

Resources:

https://blacklivesmatter.com/

http://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co

https://8cantwait.org/

Listen And Learn:

 Natasha Cloud — Your Silence Is A Knee On My Neck

Emmanuel Acho — Uncomfortable Conversation With A Black Man — Ep. 1

A Conversation With President Obama: Reimagining Policing in the Wake of Continued Police Violence

USWNT Roundtable: Players share their thoughts, experiences on racism in America

Systemic Racism Explained

How To Avoid Spreading Misinformation About The Protests

Where You Can Donate:

George Floyd Memorial Fund

Black Lives Matter

NAACP Legal Defense And Educational Fund

Emergency Rapid Response Fund

List Of Bail Funds

Know Your Rights Camp

Color Of Change

Reclaim The Block

Support Black-Owned Businesses:

77 Black-Owned Businesses To Support Right Now

Find Black-Owned Restaurants Near You

Vote:

Register To Vote

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