Though the news cycle has moved on from the protests around racial justice, the fight for racial justice is still very much alive. Whether you’ve been watching developments unfold on social media, reading up on racism in America or are wondering what you can do during a time of unrest and a pandemic to effect change, there are things you can do at home to make a difference.
Advocate for voting rights: Are you registered to vote? If not, head over to the Voter Participation Center and register. You can also see your voter info and get answers to frequently asked questions about voting at the center. If you’re able under your state’s law, request a mail-in ballot for election day. To do this, you’ll want to see your state’s absentee voting rules. You can do this here. If you’re an Ohio resident, the state will send every registered voter an application for an absentee ballot for the presidential election around Labor Day.
Once you’re registered to vote, encourage others to register. You can visit When We All Vote for ways you can help others get registered. You can also tell Congress to protect upcoming elections by writing your representative or call. You can find information on that here.
Advocate for criminal justice reform: A large part of the protests around racial justice has been criminal justice reform. If you’re unfamiliar with the cries to defund the police, you can read more about what that means here. You can also find out more about how your local law enforcement uses force. You can take action in your state by working with your local ACLU chapter. You can find yours here.
Listen: Though it may not seem like it, an effective way to make a change is to listen. Listen to your family, friends, community members. Listening not only gives you an opportunity to validate others’ feelings, but it also gives you an opportunity to educate others.
Other Resources
Whether you’re looking to read more about racial injustice in America, the experiences of others or to donate your time or money, these organizations may be useful to you:
National Urban League (You can find your local affiliate here.)
