Illustration by Mitali Khanna Sharma
The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Tony McDade are horrific but all too familiar. These are far from the first incidents of racial injustice, and unfortunately won’t be the last. Quarto acknowledges and condemns the violent, deep-rooted history of systemic racism in this country. We support the dismantling of these systems of injustice and stand with those who are actively protesting police brutality and systemic racism. Due to our position at Columbia, we are unable to donate our own funds or organize our own campaigns, but this does not excuse us from active allyship or suggest that we condone silence in the face of injustice. Both short-term and long-term solutions to the violence facing Black communities require active support and attention at every turn. Below is a researched list of resources, organizations, and actions that are dedicated to helping people become actively involved in the fight against systemic oppression and anti-Black violence.
Here’s what you can do:
Educate yourself (and others!)
Understand your privileges
Understand what “white privilege” refers to: Actively benefitting from the color of your skin.
Understand that anti-Blackness is not confined to white perpetrators. Different communities of color are responsible for using their respective privileges and resources to support each other against racism in their community and beyond.
Use your privilege to help redistribute power to marginalized communities who have been systematically alienated from it.
Research your rights
Understand what your rights as a citizen are and should be (e.g., you have the right to gather and protest).
Familiarize yourself with resources dedicated to protecting said rights.
If you plan to protest, do so safely and with the intent to promote change.
Know where and how you can help
Contact representatives and government officials to demand justice and demand policy that addresses police brutality (e.g., requiring body cameras and requiring that said cameras be turned on as soon as a call is answered).
Donate to organizations involved in combating systemic racism and white supremacy.
Raise awareness and educate others (And yourself! The learning process is never finished.) about white supremacy, privilege, and systemic racism.
Become a better ally
Familiarize yourself with the current events and history surrounding these protests.
Be wary of what you share/repost online. Is it truly raising awareness or does it unnecessarily spread triggering/traumatic images of Black death? Are you virtue signalling, or do you stand by what you preach virtually in private spaces?
Does your antiracism activism extend beyond social media posting? Are you truly committed to dismantling white supremacy and racism in your own life, supporting activists on the ground, and putting your money where your mind is?
It’s not enough to be “not racist” or rely on social media as your main source of activism. Your contributions should actively participate in anti-racist efforts.
An important thing allies can do is having discussions about the injustice of systemic racism, police brutality, and white supremacy with people in their own life (e.g., their family members, friends, coworkers, etc.).
Places to educate yourself and donate to community support and police accountability:
GoFundMe campaigns in the name of each victim
The Cut is also a resource for more donation and activism opportunities
Many more resources, opportunities, and organizations can be found online and in the news.